The Hunger Games franchise is set to release “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping” in theatres Nov. 20, focusing on a younger Haymitch Abernathy.
The Story
The Hunger Games franchise is returning to the screen with “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping,” which brings the story back to a major character from the original films during his teenage years.
Woody Harrelson reprises his role in the mentor-to-Katniss-and-Peeta era, while the new film traces Haymitch Abernathy earlier, when he is a tribute from District 12 trying to survive the Games.
The film’s cast includes Ralph Fiennes as President Snow, Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee, Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket and Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman.
Joseph Zada was selected to play Haymitch as a teenager, with production casting described as aiming to find mischief “inherent in this character.”
Zada said he wanted to “start far away from Harrelson’s Haymitch” and then build a bridge between versions of the character during filming.
The production took place over about five months, with the primary cast filming in Spain and Germany and, for Zada and Mckenna Grace, six-day work weeks and physically intense sequences described as grueling.
For Grace, who plays District 12 tribute Maysilee Donner and her twin sister, the filming included a heated confrontation with Drusilla Sickle, played by Glenn Close, that Grace said involved nerves about being asked to slap Close.
The film’s release also brings back Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson in an epilogue, with their involvement described as kept secret for as long as possible.
Director Francis Lawrence said he views the timing of any future chapters as dependent on Suzanne Collins, adding, “We could get a call in six weeks or it could be five years.”
← More stories