Upcoming film adaptation announced for new ‘Hunger Games’ book ‘Sunrise on the Reaping’

The newly announced fifth “Hunger Games” book, titled “Sunrise on the Reaping,” will be heading to the big screen like all of its predecessors.

Lionsgate said Thursday, on the heels of Suzanne Collins’ latest book announcement, that “Sunrise on the Reaping” will be adapted into a feature film to be released Nov. 20, 2026. The book will be published March 18, 2025.

Francis Lawrence, who has directed all the “Hunger Games” movie adaptations except the first, is in talks to direct the new film, the studio also shared.

A synopsis of “Sunrise on the Reaping” notes that the story will “revisit the world of Panem twenty-four years before the events of ‘The Hunger Games,’ starting on the morning of the reaping of the Fiftieth Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.”

Collins said her inspiration for the book came from “David Hume’s idea of implicit submission and, in his words, ‘the easiness with which the many are governed by the few.'”

“The story also lent itself to a deeper dive into the use of propaganda and the power of those who control the narrative,” she added. “The question ‘Real or not real?’ seems more pressing to me every day.”

Fans of “The Hunger Games” will remember that the 50th Hunger Games, a.k.a. the 2nd Quarter Quell, was won by District 12’s victor Haymitch Abernathy. Woody Harrelson played him in the “Hunger Games” film series starring Jennifer Lawrence.

“Sunrise on the Reaping” follows in the book series that began with “The Hunger Games” in 2008 and continued with the sequels “Catching Fire” and “Mockingjay,” released in 2009 and 2010. A prequel, “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” was published in 2020.

All previous books have been adapted to the big screen as well.

There are more than 100 million copies of the previous four “Hunger Games” books in print and digital formats worldwide, and the five feature films have grossed more than $3.3 billion at the worldwide box office.

Fans of Suzanne Collins’ popular “Hunger Games” series have reason to celebrate as a new film adaptation has been announced for the latest addition to the franchise, “Sunrise on the Reaping.” The news was revealed by Lionsgate, the studio behind the successful film adaptations of the original trilogy.

“Sunrise on the Reaping” is set to be a prequel to the original “Hunger Games” trilogy, taking place 64 years before the events of the first book. The story will focus on the early days of the Hunger Games and the events leading up to the first ever Reaping in Panem.

The announcement of a new film adaptation has sparked excitement among fans who have been eagerly awaiting new content from the beloved series. The original “Hunger Games” trilogy, which consists of “The Hunger Games,” “Catching Fire,” and “Mockingjay,” was a massive success both in book form and on the big screen. The films starred Jennifer Lawrence as the series’ protagonist, Katniss Everdeen, and grossed over $2.9 billion worldwide.

With the success of the original trilogy, there is no doubt that fans will be eagerly anticipating the release of “Sunrise on the Reaping.” The new film adaptation will give audiences a deeper look into the world of Panem and the origins of the Hunger Games, providing a fresh perspective on the events that shaped the dystopian society.

While details about the cast and production schedule have yet to be announced, fans can expect to see familiar faces from the original films as well as new characters introduced in “Sunrise on the Reaping.” The film is sure to be a must-see for fans of the series and newcomers alike.

In addition to the film adaptation, “Sunrise on the Reaping” will also be released as a standalone novel, allowing fans to delve even deeper into the world of Panem and experience the story in a new format. The book is set to be released in May 2022, with the film adaptation following shortly after.

Overall, the announcement of a new film adaptation for “Sunrise on the Reaping” is exciting news for fans of the “Hunger Games” series. With its intriguing premise and connection to the original trilogy, the film is sure to be a hit with audiences around the world. Stay tuned for more updates on casting and production as we eagerly await the release of this highly anticipated addition to the franchise.