By Jordan Grim • November 20, 2025 • 11:03 PM (PDT)
By Jordan Grim • November 20, 2025 • 11:03 PM (PDT)
The first trailer for Sunrise on the Reaping has arrived, and it is already making headlines across the country. Lionsgate dropped the new preview on Nov 20, giving fans their first look at the next chapter in the well-known world of the Hunger Games. The film explores the events that shaped the story long before the rise of Katniss Everdeen, and this early glimpse sets the tone for what may become one of the most talked-about releases of 2026.
One of the biggest surprises from the trailer is the appearance of Glenn Close. The actress looks nearly unrecognizable as Drusilla Sickle, a key figure in the Capitol. Her look features an orange bob, heavy bangs and a sharp red lip. The change is striking, and the preview hints that her presence in Sunrise on the Reaping will carry real weight. Close has always been known for taking bold steps with her characters, and this may become another favorite among fans who follow her work.
The story in Sunrise on the Reaping takes viewers back twenty four years before the first Hunger Games movie. The focus shifts to young Haymitch Abernathy, a character long remembered for his troubled past. Joseph Zada takes on the role and steps into the world of Panem at a time when the Capitol controlled every detail of life in the districts. The film begins on the morning of the reaping for the Fiftieth Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell, a deadly year that shaped Haymitch forever.
The trailer also reveals several familiar names joining the cast. Ralph Fiennes appears as President Snow, continuing the long thread of one of the series most important figures. Elle Fanning steps in as a young Effie Trinket while Jesse Plemons portrays Plutarch. Mckenna Grace, Maya Hawke, Kieran Culkin, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Whitney Peak and Billy Porter all join the large ensemble that builds this chapter of the story.
Director Francis Lawrence returns to lead the project after guiding many of the earlier films. His approach has become familiar to fans of the series, and the new preview suggests that the tone of Sunrise on the Reaping will blend a raw, grounded look with the structured style of the Capitol. The trailer includes wide shots of helicopters, chariots and crowds, giving a sense of the scale that this part of the story demands.
Glenn Close has spoken openly about the excitement she feels working on this film. She has mentioned the fun of building a character with such a firm place in Panem’s world. Her past work in dramatic and transformative roles shows why she is such a strong fit for Drusilla Sickle. Her involvement alone has become one of the biggest points of discussion around the Hunger Games Sunrise on the Reaping.
As fans wait for the full release next year, interest continues to grow. The story of the Second Quarter Quell has been part of the background of the series for years, and many viewers have hoped to see a full version of Haymitch’s journey. Now that the trailer is out, the excitement around hunger games sunrise on the reaping has only increased.
Set to open in theaters on Nov 20, 2026, Sunrise on the Reaping is positioned to become one of the most anticipated releases of the year. With its strong cast, established director and deep roots in a widely loved series, the film is shaping up to deliver a compelling look at an earlier chapter in Panem’s history.
