Film studio Lionsgate has unleashed the first dramatic trailer for the highly anticipated prequel, The Hunger Games: Sunrise On the Reaping, offering fans a chilling glimpse into the early history of Panem and the brutal origins of a beloved character.
A Villain Transformed
The two-minute preview, released on Thursday, introduces an almost unrecognisable Glenn Close buried under heavy prosthetics and false teeth. The acclaimed actress is completely transformed into the sinister Drusilla Sickle, who dons a severe orange-tinged bob and a striking yellow leather suit.
Drusilla presides over the ominous reaping ceremony, declaring into a microphone that District 12 must provide twice the number of tributes to honour the second Quarter Quell. 'Twice the tributes. Twice the glory,' she proclaims, setting the stage for unprecedented bloodshed.
The Arena Awaits
The trailer swiftly cuts from the ceremony to a deceptively lush green arena, where a teenage Haymitch Abernathy, played by Joseph Zada, prepares to fight for his life. This film is set 24 years before the events of the original Hunger Games trilogy, chronicling how Haymitch's victory in the 50th Hunger Games forged him into the jaded, drink-soaked mentor fans met in the books and films.
Viewers are also treated to scenes of Haymitch's life beyond the brutal competition, including a romantic storyline with Lenore Dove Baird, portrayed by Whitney Peak.
A Young Cast of Familiar Faces
The prequel boasts an impressive ensemble cast, featuring younger versions of several iconic characters. Elle Fanning appears as a youthful Effie Trinket, while Ralph Fiennes returns as President Snow and Jesse Plemons steps into the role of a young Plutarch Heavensbee, originally played by the late Philip Seymour Hoffman.
Further adding to the excitement, Kieran Culkin will bring a young Caesar Flickerman to life, a character famously portrayed by Stanley Tucci. The cast is rounded out by McKenna Grace and Ben Wang as Wyatt Callow, another tribute from District 12.
As the trailer progresses, unexpected alliances form and the stakes are raised dramatically, culminating in a volcanic eruption and the foreboding message: 'next year a new era of the Games begins.' The tension is sealed with a voiceover from the older Haymitch, played by Woody Harrelson, who muses, 'I think these games are gonna be different.'
Francis Lawrence, who directed four of the five previous films in the franchise, returns to helm this latest instalment. Adapted from Suzanne Collins' novel, the author revealed her inspiration came from philosopher David Hume's ideas on submission and the power of propaganda. The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is scheduled to premiere in theatres worldwide on 20 November 2026.
