The debut trailer of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping brought a first look at Joseph Zada’s version of a young Haymitch Abernathy — signature blond curls and all.
“Welcome, Panem, to the glorious reaping of District 12,” a Capitol announcer begins in the first trailer, released Thursday, November 20. “Twice the number of tributes, twice the glory. It’s time for the second Quarter Quell. Let the 50th Hunger Games begin!”
The camera then cuts to Haymitch and the rest of the tributes preparing to face off in the notorious Hunger Games battle. In another scene, Zada, 20, emotionally hugs one of his fellow recruits and hands out the titular emblem to love interest Lenore (Whitney Peak) in between glimpses at the fellow characters.
“I think these Games are going to be different,” Haymitch says in a voiceover.
‘The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping’ Is ‘Now in Production’
Sunrise on the Reaping is author Suzanne Collins’ latest book in her Hunger Games series and looks back at Haymitch’s time in the arena. Former winner Haymitch was the mentor to Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) in the original series. Woody Harrelson brought the fan-favorite character to life on the silver screen.
“Nobody can be Woody Harrelson but Woody Harrelson,” producer Nina Jacobson told Variety in March. “We’ve been holding our breath for a long time, but I think that what we’re looking for in that role is, you don’t want somebody who’s impersonating Woody, but you want somebody who very credibly feels like they could be a young version of this character, before the trauma and grief and rage that the fallout of the Games create.”
She added, “But you have to find that mischief that he has in him inherently and try to understand, if you turn back time from the man you meet at the beginning of The Hunger Games, who he was before all of that, and why he became that.”
Zada, for his part, also hopes to do Harrelson’s character justice.
“It’s a very big, important character, and they needed to get it right. So obviously, they put me through the wringer a bit,” he told Vanity Fair in June. “I’m glad they did because I learned so much in that period of time. Now, I’m just so excited to know that I’m going to be in safe hands.”
According to Zada, he even received a “nice little message” from Harrelson, 64, about taking over the role.
“[It was] from Woody’s niece, I think. He doesn’t have a phone,” Zada told the outlet. “I’m sure I’ll speak to him eventually, but apparently he’s very happy for me.”
Sunrise on the Reaping also stars Elle Fanning, Jesse Plemons, Maya Hawke, Ralph Fiennes, Kieran Culkin, McKenna Grace and more.
“I want everybody to love her as much as I do, as much as I love playing her,” Grace, 19, told Teen Vogue earlier this month of bringing Maysilee to life. “Everybody has their defense mechanisms and walls that they put up for one reason or another. I definitely think that is very applicable to her, and her tougher exterior.”
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping hits theaters November 20, 2026.
