Though “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping” release date is a year away, fans were treated Thursday, Nov. 20 to the film’s first official trailer. The novel, which released in March, is the second prequel in Suzanne Collins’ “The Hunger Games” series to be adapted onto screen.
The film stars Joseph Zada, known for his role on Amazon’s “We Were Liars,” as Haymitch Abernathy, who is played by Woody Harrelson in the original series, and explores the character’s story before Katniss Everdeen’s (Jennifer Lawrence) in the iconic trilogy.
A Floridian, Devon Singletary of Jacksonville, Florida, will be featured in the Nov. 20, 2026 film along Zada, as the character of Blair, Abernathy’s best friend. Lionsgate announced Singletary’s role following a months-long open casting call.
Watch new ‘Hunger Games’ prequel ‘The Sunrise on the Reaping’ trailer
When will ‘Sunrise on the Reaping’ movie come out? 2026 release date
The “Sunrise on the Reaping” will come out in theaters on Nov. 26, 2026. The film’s first official trailer dropped Nov. 20, 2025, a year before it hits theaters.
What is the new ‘Hunger Games’ prequel about? ‘Sunrise on the Reaping’ plot summary
Beware! Slight spoilers below.
The fifth book in the series is set during the 50th Hunger Games — the second Quarter Quell — through the eyes of victor and Katniss Everdeen’s mentor, Haymitch Abernathy. During these special games, twice the number of children are reaped for the games.
Readers meet Haymitch as a lovestruck and sarcastic teenager, trying to make the most of his 16th birthday (which always falls on Reaping Day).
He spends most of the morning trying to hang out with his girlfriend, a Covey girl named Lenore Dove, before heading to the ceremony. However, after an incident puts unwanted attention on him, Haymitch is unfairly reaped for the games.
Whitney Peak is Lenore Dove Baird and Joseph Zada is Haymitch Abernathy in “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.”
The story shows how Haymitch won his games and how he tried to end them forever, with unfortunate consequences.
The book also features several characters from the original trilogy and gives several Easter eggs for eagle-eyed fans. For example, readers learn the origin story of Katniss’s iconic Mockingjay pin, which she is gifted in the first novel.
Who will play Haymitch Abernathy? See ‘Sunrise on the Reaping’ cast
Joseph Zada plays Haymitch Abernathy and Mckenna Grace stars as Maysilee Donner in “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.”
Over the last few months, the Hunger Games social media accounts have released their casting announcements, seeing millions of views across the videos. Here’s the whole cast, as of November 2025:
Joseph Zada as Haymitch Abernathy
Whitney Peak as Lenore Dove Baird
Mckenna Grace as Maysilee Donner
Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee
Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman
Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket
Ralph Fiennes as President Coriolanus Snow
Glenn Close as Drusilla Sickle
Billy Porter as Magno Stift
Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Beetee
Ben Wang as Wyatt Callow
Who won ‘Sunrise on the Reaping’ casting contest? Jacksonville native Devon Singletary is Blair
Devon Singletary is a 26-year-old actor and filmmaker based in Jacksonville, Florida. According to his online portfolio, he has appeared in commercials and done some personal projects. He describes himself online as an actor, “but most importantly, I’m a ball of energy.”
“I’m super passionate about what I do. I have been doing this for nearly a decade, and I have a desire to do more in this career field,” he writes.
He will portray Haymitch’s best friend, Blair. A video posted to the Hunger Games social media accounts shows the moment Singletary learned he had been cast and meeting the other stars of the film.
“I’m blown away,” he said in the video. “I’m really just speechless. I’m super excited.”
More: Florida resident nabs role in Hunger Games prequel ‘Sunrise on the Reaping.’ What to know
Watch Jacksonville resident Devon Singletary’s audition
All ‘Hunger Games’ movies in order
Joseph Zada is Haymitch Abernathy in “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.”
If you’re looking to binge-watch the iconic dystopian movies ahead of the release of “Sunrise on the Reaping,” there are two ways to do so.
“SOTR” may be the latest movie, and novel (2025), in the series, however chronologically, Haymitch Abernathy’s (Joseph Zada) story comes after Lucy Gray Baird’s (Rachel Zegler) in “TBOSAS,” but before the original “THG” trilogy centering Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence).
‘The Hunger Games’ movies in release order
“The Hunger Games” (2012)
“Hunger Games: Catching Fire” (2013)
“Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1” (2014)
“Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2” (2015)
“The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes” (2023)
“The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping” (2026)
‘The Hunger Games’ movies in chronological order
“The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes” (2023)
“The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping” (2026)
“The Hunger Games” (2012)
“Hunger Games: Catching Fire” (2013)
“Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1” (2014)
“Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2” (2015)
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: New ‘Hunger Games’ prequel about Haymitch Abernathy trailer out now
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