the story of Sunrise on the Reaping, and fans of the franchise have begun fantasizing wildly about what this narrative could possibly be about. There are countless theories floating around the internet, and some of them are much more believable than others.

The official synopsis of Sunrise of the Reaping confirms both that Haymitch will be the protagonist of the story, and that most of the narrative will take place during the 50th annual Hunger Games competition. However, given the enormous success of the Hunger Games series and its recent prequel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, it’s unlikely that Collins would return to this universe just to retell Katniss’ story with another character. There’s bound to be a twist that breaks the Hunger Games movie tradition, and TikTok @emhahee has a plausible theory.

This Brilliant Theory Could Reveal The True Meaning Of Sunrise On The Reaping's Title

One TikTok Has A Smart Idea For The Book

This TikTok suggests that Sunrise on the Reaping won’t simply take place during Haymitch’s time in the Hunger Games, but rather in the subsequent years as he’s reflecting on his experiences and learning to overcome the trauma that he’s faced. This would be a fascinating way of subverting expectations and providing readers with a completely new story in this universe; but it also stays true to the character’s journey and leads him towards the fate that he’s destined for in the original trilogy. If this theory is correct, Sunrise on the Reaping could have some major time jumps.

The theory comes as a result of Suzanne Collins’ use of time jumps in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, which allowed her to tell a more sweeping narrative that spanned several years and drifted away from the typical Hunger Games formula. The author’s decision to stay away from Katniss’ story in Sunrise on the Reaping also suggests that she’s more interested in exploring Haymitch’s character from a more objective standpoint, and flash-forwards would be an entirely new way of tackling that.

This theory also helps explain the title of the story: Sunrise on the Reaping could refer to the multiple sunrises that Haymitch experiences as the day of the Reaping rolls around each year, jumping forward in time to follow his character as the event brings back memories of his time in the arena. This kind of non-linear storytelling would be really interesting to see play out on the page, and it would certainly give this book a unique selling point to stand out from the others.

Sunrise On The Reaping's Title Theory Fits With Haymitch's Hunger Games Story

The Title Could Be Referring To Multiple Reapings

Haymitch’s character in the Hunger Games trilogy is among the most interesting and likable of the entire crowd. He’s both a mentor figure and a trusted friend to Katniss, and much of his determination to tear down President Snow’s corrupt system comes from the trauma that he personally experienced in the games. He’s clearly still affected by his own time in the arena, and Sunrise on the Reaping is the perfect opportunity to explore why.

If this theory turns out to be true, and the prequel follows Haymitch across several different Reapings following his own, it would be a perfect way to display how permanently he’s been changed by his own experiences. It would be a very reflective, emotional story that explains why his character is so cynical and misanthropic in the Hunger Games trilogy, giving credence to his motivations against President Snow. Fans of the franchise have already begun speculating who could play Haymitch in the Sunrise on the Reaping movie, but if there are many time jumps, it may prove even more difficult.

Haymitch's Story Would Be Even More Heartbreaking With This Title Reveal

The Twist Would Add A New Dimension To His Character

Haymitch has always been a likable character in the Hunger Games trilogy, despite his initial coldness towards Katniss and Peeta - but Sunrise on the Reaping has the opportunity to make his story even more emotional and heartbreaking. The existing books have done a great job of exploring how frightening and intense the Hunger Games can be in the moment, but there’s been little explanation of the long-term effects of such a traumatic experience. Haymitch’s character is the only evident example of this, and this prequel should take that in its stride and turn it into the story’s main focus.

So far, all the books in this franchise have adopted completely different styles and even veered into different genres: The Hunger Games is an action-packed adventure, Catching Fire is more of a political thriller, and Mockingjay leans heavily into the dystopian elements of the story. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is a more character-driven prequel with aspects of romance, which separates it even further. Therefore, Sunrise on the Reaping needs its own unique style to maintain this trend, and a non-linear psychological drama seems like the perfect way to go.

This Theory Opens The Door For Hunger Games Cameos In The Prequel

There Would Be Space For The Original Cast To Return

Although it’s not necessary for Sunrise on the Reaping to include any preexisting characters (except for Haymitch), it could certainly enhance the story if Collins decides to bring back some familiar faces. This theory leans into that possibility, suggesting that the time jumps could even continue up to the 74th Hunger Games, where Haymitch meets Katniss and Peeta for the first time. This would create a full-circle narrative that fills in all the blanks from the original trilogy, opening the door for some of the original cast to make appearances again.

There are many theories about Sunrise on the Reaping, but this one definitely ranks among the most exciting. Not only would it offer a completely new perspective on Haymitch’s story, but it could also be the perfect opportunity to pay off long-term fans of the franchise with some exciting cameos and returning cast . It’s much smarter and more effective than an unnecessary sequel, as it gives a new perspective on events that have already been discussed, while keeping the door open for new revelations along the way.