The latest dystopian novel and movie, Reaping takes place after the events of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and will allow readers to experience Haymitch Abernathy's point of view as he prepares to take part in the 50th Hunger Games. This happens 24 years before the original trilogy and, through a sneak peek at the first chapter published by People Magazine, the book guarantees a new exploration into the world of Panem.

Throughout the original Hunger Games trilogy, the downfall of President Snow in Mockingjay's ending. Sunrise on the Rising will explore how Haymitch grew to be an intelligent and understanding mentor and will include a first that not even Katniss experienced.

Haymitch's Reaping Is The First Time The Hunger Games Will Show A POV Character Reacting To Their Name Being Drawn

Haymitch Competed In The Quarter Quell Of The Hunger Games

Up until Katniss and Peeta won the 74th Hunger Games, Haymitch was the only living victor and the second winner to come from District 12. In a how Haymitch won the 50th Hunger Games and, from his point of view, will also show him reacting to his name being drawn as a tribute from District 12.

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Hunger Games’ Haymitch Prequel Is Undeniably The Franchise’s Biggest Test Yet

Sunrise on the Reaping has bigger challenges than ever when the future of the Hunger Games franchise may hinge on its success.

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Thus, Sunrise on the Reaping will mark the first time the books show a POV character reacting to their own name being drawn for the Hunger Games. In The Hunger Games, Katniss volunteers in place of her sister, Prim. In the book, she nearly faints when Prim is drawn, before rushing forward to volunteer as one of District 12's tributes. The Third Quarter Quell changed the rules for the 75th Games, where tributes are chosen from previous winners; as Katniss was the only female victor alive from District 12, she knew she would be chosen.

Sunrise on the Reaping will be the first time, through Haymitch, that audiences will view the tribute selection from the point of view of a person trying to rationalize their chances of not being selected for the Games and ultimately ending up so.

64 years prior, a younger Coriolanus Snow's point of view. It also suggests that Lucy Gray was aware that her rival, Mayfair Lipp, arranged her selection, bringing a snake to slip down Mayfair's dress collar. Sunrise on the Reaping will be the first time, through Haymitch, that audiences will view the tribute selection from the point of view of a person trying to rationalize their chances of not being selected for the Games and ultimately ending up so.

Sunrise On The Reaping's Reaping Scene Risks Being Anticlimactic

We All Know How Sunrise On The Reaping Will End

Woody Harrelson as Haymitch Abernathy Glaring in The Hunger Games Catching Fire

The Hunger Games is arguably one of the darkest dystopian franchises ever created, with each of the main characters experiencing horrible death and destruction throughout their lives. Sunrise on the Reaping is set to become the most tragic installment as the most heartbreaking Hunger Games book, but it's taking a new risk with interpreting Haymitch's reaping scene.

For Sunrise on the Reaping's reaping scene to be effective, Suzanne Collins needs to portray Haymitch's emotions in a relatable and impactful manner despite the foregone conclusion.

This scene could be anticlimactic when readers know how it must play out. Katniss and Lucy's selections worked with audiences owing to their strong emotions and the unexpected interruptions that happened during their ceremonies. For Sunrise on the Reaping's reaping scene to be effective, Suzanne Collins needs to portray Haymitch's emotions in a relatable and impactful manner despite the foregone conclusion. Sunrise on the Reaping faces a huge challenge by showing Haymitch's selection from his own POV, and readers will have to wait to see if Collins' new prose will live up to the story premise.

Source: People

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The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping
Release Date
November 20, 2026
Director
Francis Lawrence
Writers
Billy Ray
Producers
Brad Simpson
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    Joseph Zada
    Haymitch Abernathy
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