The odds were in Suzanne Collins‘ favor when filmmakers adapted her latest book.
After all, the Hunger Games author—who lives out of the spotlight, without social media—broke her cover to give her review of the series’ upcoming prequel movie Sunrise on the Reaping. And even though she was not a producer on the film, she believes that their elaborate creative process behind adapting her 2025 prequel book for the screen felt like a tribute to the fantasy world she started 20 years ago.
“I could not be more excited for you to see The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping,” Collins said in a message to her fans Nov. 13, shared to the movie’s Instagram. “Director Francis Lawrence and company have put the finishing touches on a vibrant and devastating adaptation of the novel, leaving me with the happy job of singing its praises.”
And in recounting the making of Haymitch Abernathy’s origin story before the original trilogy, the 64-year-old couldn’t help but praise Woody Harrelson‘s reprisal of the beloved character as well as Joseph Zada, who plays his younger counterpart in the movie.
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“I can’t say enough about his masterful depiction of Haymitch in the original films,” Collins said of Harrelson, adding that the cast was “led by a remarkably powerful and moving performance by Joseph Zada.”
In addition, the writer applauded how the Zombieland star’s return alongside original cast members Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson brought “such poignancy to the film,” as together their characters “bridge Haymitch’s Hunger Games to Katniss’s tale.”
Meanwhile, she said that the entire ensemble—includingElle Fanning and Ralph Fiennes—exceeded her expectations.
As Collins put it, “Gems, every last one. I truly can’t imagine a better cast.”
But fans have more than the movie’s stars to thank for the finished product. Collins—who has sat out the press tour for Sunrise on the Reaping following her last public appearance three years ago—also lauded the entire creative team from the screenwriters to the set designers, as well as singer Noah Kahan, who wrote one of the movie’s emotional original songs, “Draw You Out.”
And with that said, the Catching Firescribe finished her letter by thanking her readers who made all five of her novels bestsellers.
“I feel such deep appreciation for your continued presence in Panem,” she told her fans, before signing off, “May the odds be EVER in your favor!”
Before stepping back into the Capitol, keep reading for an inside look at Sunrise on the Reaping before its Nov. 20 premiere.
LionsgateWhen Does The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping Hit Theaters?A little birdie, er mockingjay, revealed the movie will be released November 20, 2026.Scholastic PressWhat Is The Hunger Games Book Sunrise on the Reaping About?This book is a prequel to The Hunger Games and takes place 24 years prior to when readers first met Katniss Everdeen.The story opens on the morning of the reaping (the event where tributes from each district are chosen to compete) of the 50th Hunger Games (a.k.a. the Second Quarter Quell).”As the day dawns on the fiftieth annual Hunger Games, fear grips the districts of Panem,” the description on author Suzanne Collins’ website reads. “This year, in honor of the Quarter Quell, twice as many tributes will be taken from their homes. Back in District 12, Haymitch Abernathy is trying not to think too hard about his chances. All he cares about is making it through the day and being with the girl he loves.”Hugh StewartJoseph Zada Plays Haymitch AbernathyTaking on the lead role of District 12 tribute Haymitch Abernathy is Joseph Zada. In the earlier Hunger Games movies, this part was played by Woody Harrelson.However, this isn’t the first time fans have seen Joseph on their screens. The actor’s past credits include We Were Liars, Invisible Boys, Total Control and The Speedway Murders.Kate WhyteWhitney Peak Portrays Lenore Dove BairdWhitney Peak is playing Haymitch’s girlfriend Lenore Dove Baird.Over the years, the actress has appeared in TV shows like the Gossip Girl revival, Home Before Dark and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina as well as in movies, including Campfire Kiss, Molly’s Game and Hocus Pocus 2.Gilbert Flores/SXSW Conference & Festivals via Getty ImagesMckenna Grace Takes on Role of Maysilee DonnerGracing the screen as fellow District 12 tribute Maysilee Donner is Mckenna Grace.Fans have watched the actress grow up onscreen through her appearances on the Disney sitcom Crash & Bernstein, the soap opera The Young and the Restless and the film Gifted (her performance earning her a Critics Choice Award).Also among her lengthy list of credits are movies like I, Tonya, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Annabelle Comes Homes and The Bad Seed. Mckenna has also acted on TV shows like The Haunting of Hill House and The Handmaid’s Tale (receiving an Emmy nod for the latter).Dia Dipasupil/Getty ImagesJesse Plemons Plays Plutarch HeavensbeeWhile the late Philip Seymour Hoffman played Plutarch Heavensbee in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire as well as in parts one and two of Mockingjay, Jesse Plemons is taking on the role of the future Head Gamemaker and rebellion leader for this movie.And the actor isn’t playing games when it comes to his performances. Throughout his career, Jesse has earned an Oscar nomination for his role in The Power of the Dog as well as Emmy nods for his parts in Love & Death, Black Mirror and Fargo, where he met his longtime love Kirsten Dunst.His other credits include Killers of the Flower Moon, The Irishman, Battleship and Breaking Bad.Jamie McCarthy/WireImageKelvin Harrison Jr. Portrays BeeteeKelvin Harrison Jr. is taking on the part of Beetee, who’s not only the winner of the 34th Hunger Games but also the father of 50th Games tribute Ampert Latier. In previous Hunger Games movies, Jeffrey Wright performed the role.While fans have certainly seen Kelvin in movies and TV shows—such as Genius, Chevalier, Waves, Luce and It Comes at Night to name a few—they’ve also heard his voiceover work in animated films like Mufasa: The Lion King.Gregory Pace/ShutterstockMaya Hawke Cast as WiressOnce you hear Maya Hawke is playing Wiress (a former Hunger Games winner, now District 12 mentor, played by Amanda Plummer in Catching Fire), you might get so excited you’ll feel like your world is turned upside down.The actress—who’s following in the famous footsteps of her parents Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke—has previously played Jo March in the TV adaptation of Little Women, Eleanor in Do Revenge, Anxiety in Inside Out 2 and, of course, Robin in Stranger Things.Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for The National Audubon SocietyLili Taylor Takes on Role of MagsOriginally played by the late Lynn Cohen in Catching Fire, the part of former-Hunger-Games-victor-turned-District-12-mentor Mags is now being portrayed by Lili Taylor.An Emmy nominee for her roles in American Crime and Six Feet Under, the actress has also appeared in The Conjuring, Mystic Pizza, Say Anything and I Shot Andy Warhol to name a few credits on a long list.Ethan Miller/Getty ImagesBen Wang Plays Wyatt CallowAlso among the District 12 tributes is Wyatt Callow, who is portrayed by Ben Wang.In addition to being cast in the newest Hunger Games film, the actor has appeared in Karate Kid: Legends, the movie musical version of Mean Girls, Good Egg, Sight and American Born Chinese.Jeff Spicer/Getty ImagesRalph Fiennes Cast as President SnowRalph Fiennes is ruling over Panem as its dictator President Snow, a role previously played by Tom Blyth in The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes and the late Donald Sutherland in Catching Fire and both parts of Mockingjay.The actor is a three-time Oscar nominee—being recognized for his roles in Conclave, The English Patient and Schindler’s List—and a seven-time BAFTA contender, also receiving praise for his work in The Grand Budapest Hotel, Coriolanus, The Constant Gardener and The End Of The Affair. Plus, Ralph was up for an Emmy for his role in Bernard And Doris.
Courtesy Molly McCannMolly McCann Portrays LouellaMolly McCann plays Louella, another District 12 tribute.The actress has already built up quite the résumé, appearing in TV shows like Bad Sisters, The Hardacres, The Boy That Never Was and Star Wars: Visions. As for her film credits, they include Herself, Freelance, Never Grow Old and Feed.Tim SteeleIona Bell Plays Lou LouPortraying Louella’s lookalike Lou Lou is Iona Bell, who’s previously appeared in movies like Fing!, Savage Flowers and Frayed and TV shows like Mandrake.Taylor Hill/FilmMagiElle Fanning Takes on Role of Effie TrinketThe answer to who is playing Effie Trinket isn’t completely unknown.While Elizabeth Banks performed the part in previous Hunger Game movies, Elle Fanning is now stepping into the shoes of this character (who, in Sunrise on the Reaping, is a stylist for Haymitch Abernathy ahead of the 50th Games).First appearing on screen alongside sister Dakota Fanning in 2001’s I Am Sam, the actress has gone on to star in several more movies, including Maleficent, Somewhere, Super 8, The Beguiled and A Complete Unknown.On the TV side, Elle has acted in The Girl from Plainville as well as in The Great (earning an Emmy nomination for the latter).Kristina Bumphrey/Variety via Getty ImagesKieran Culkin Cast as Caesar FlickermanWhile Stanley Tucci portrayed Hunger Games host Caesar Flickerman in the previous films, the franchise has found his successor for the role in Kieran Culkin. After making his acting debut as a kid in brother Macaulay Culkin’s Home Alone, the actor went on to appear in movies like Father of the Bride, She’s All That and Igby Goes Down. And while Kieran took a break from the craft, he came back to star in movies and TV shows like Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, Infinity Baby, Succession and A Real Pain, which landed him his first Oscar.,John Nacion/WireImageGlenn Close Cast as Drusilla SickleGlenn Close is taking on the mean-spirited energy of District 12 tributes’ escort Drusilla Sickle.
Producer Nina Jacobs described Glenn as “a dream Drusilla” in a June 16 press release, adding, “She brings so much of her intellect and imagination to each role, creating characters who are unforgettable and iconic.”
Prior to her recent casting, the actress has stunned in films like Fatal Attraction, The Wife, Guardians of the Galaxy and Hillbilly Elegy.Amy Sussman/Getty ImagesBilly Porter Plays Magno StiftBilly Porter slithered into the role of Magno Stift—Drusilla’s estranged husband and the District 12 tributes’ fashion designer—who often found inspiration for his looks in live reptiles.
It was Billy’s award-winning role in Pose that struck Nina. (He earned Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his role as Pray Tell in 2019.)
“Billy is one of those rare performers who can dazzle and devastate in equal measure on stage and screen,” she shared in a June 16 press release. “He made an indelible impression on me when we worked together on Pose, both as an actor and a human being.”
He has also starred in a number of projects, including American Horror Story, Cinderella and The Broken Hearts Club: A Romantic Comedy.Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for CinemaConFrancis Lawrence Is Directing The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the ReapingFrancis Lawrence has his playbook all set, having previously directed The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and Mockingjay parts one and two.Outside the franchise, he’s helmed movies like Slumberland, See and Jennifer Lawrence’s Red Sparrow as well as directed music videos for artists like Beyoncé’s “Run the World (Girls),” Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance,” Britney Spears’ “Circus” and Jennifer Lopez’s “Jenny From the Block.”Amanda Edwards/Getty ImagesBilly Ray Is the Screenwriter for The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the ReapingBilly Ray is also a familiar face to the franchise, having adapted the OG film from Suzanne Collins’ novel. His other work includes Terminator: Dark Fate, Flightplan and Captain Phillips, for which he received an Oscar nomination. In addition, Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson are producing Sunrise on the Reaping and Cameron MacConomy is serving as executive producer.For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
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