The Hunger Games franchise director Francis Lawrence provides a significant casting and filming update for Sunrise on the Reaping. The Haymitch Abernathy prequel is first being released as a novel in March 2025, followed by a movie adaptation releasing in November 2026. Sunrise on the Reaping‘s story takes place during the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell, when Haymitch must survive in the arena against 47 other tributes.
While speaking with Collider, Lawrence revealed that Sunrise on the Reaping‘s filming is beginning this year and discussed the challenges of preparing to adapt a book that has not been released yet. Since the novel is yet to be published, he explained that actors are unable to audition for specific scenes. Other than an excerpt from the beginning of the book, which author Suzanne Collins previously released, all scenes remain under wraps, and true preparation for the movie cannot begin until April. Check out Lawrence’s comments below:
Yeah, I’m shooting that this year. So we’ve actually just sort of started prep. The book comes out mid-March. We’ve sort of got a research phase of prep. After London, I’m going to go on a scout, and then we start prepping in April, and we shoot this year.
I will say it’s, like, it’s tricky because, you know, the book’s not out, so only people know generally what it’s about. I think there was an excerpt that was put out, and Suzanne maybe has a quote out there about what the thematics are. So we’re, like, we’re researching a little, but yeah, like, we can’t put, you know, scenes out or anything like that, yet.
What This Means For The Sunrise On The Reaping Movie
There Will Need To Be A Quick Turnaround After The Novel’s Debut
Once the Sunrise on the Reaping novel is published on March 18, the movie’s development will be able to take significant steps forward. Filming in 2025 is unsurprising, as production would have to begin this year in order to make the November 2026 release a reality. With the book being published in mid-March, substantial preparation beginning in April, and filming beginning in 2025, there has to be a quick turnaround once the novel becomes available to readers.
There has been a great deal of speculation about The Hunger Games‘ newest cast members, especially in terms of who will play young Haymitch. Given the timeline that Lawrence lays out, casting and other major developments for the movie will have to wait until at least April. Once the book is available to read, and there is no longer any concern about spoilers, work on the movie will be able to move swiftly ahead for Lawrence and the rest of his creative team.
Our Take On Francis Lawrence’s Comments
Sunrise On The Reaping’s Production May Become Too Rushed
Sunrise on the Reaping‘s released excerpt and other confirmed details make the prequel novel and movie exciting prospects. However, releasing a blockbuster adaptation by November 2026 when work is unable to truly begin until April 2025 is a тιԍнт timeline for the movie, and Sunrise on the Reaping may benefit from having its theatrical release date pushed back to early 2027. Lawrence’s adaptations of Catching Fire, Mockingjay, and The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes are all stellar, and he should be given the time for his high-quality work to continue.
Source: Collider
