Haymitch’s The Hunger Games Prequel Will Include A Surprising First Even Katniss Didn’t Get

The latest dystopian novel and movie, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, is set to include an event that has never happened before throughout the successful franchise. The second prequel novel, Sunrise on the Reaping takes place after the events of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and will allow readers to experience Haymitch Abernathy’s point of view as he prepares to take part in the 50th Hunger Games. This happens 24 years before the original trilogy and, through a sneak peek at the first chapter published by People Magazine, the upcoming book guarantees a new exploration into the world of Panem.

Throughout the original Hunger Games trilogy, Haymitch Abernathy serves as an ally and mentor to Katniss and Peeta Mellark during the 74th and 75th Hunger Games, advising them on how to look after themselves and who they should ally themselves with. He is also a rebel during the 75th Games and secretly works with several districts to incite the Second Rebellion, which ultimately leads to the downfall of President Snow in Mockingjay‘s ending. Sunrise on the Rising will explore how Haymitch grew to be an intelligent and understanding mentor and will include a first that not even Katniss experienced.

Haymitch’s Reaping Is The First Time The Hunger Games Will Show A POV Character Reacting To Their Name Being Drawn

Haymitch Competed In The Quarter Quell Of The Hunger Games

Up until Katniss and Peeta won the 74th Hunger Games, Haymitch was the only living victor and the second winner to come from District 12. In a scene cut from the Catching Fire movie, Katniss and Peeta watch a recap of Haymitch’s victory in the Second Quarter Quell. Sunrise on the Reaping will reveal more about how Haymitch won the 50th Hunger Games and, from his point of view, will also show him reacting to his name being drawn as a tribute from District 12.

Thus, Sunrise on the Reaping will mark the first time the books show a POV character reacting to their own name being drawn for the Hunger Games. In The Hunger Games, Katniss volunteers in place of her sister, Prim. In the book, she nearly faints when Prim is drawn, before rushing forward to volunteer as one of District 12’s tributes. The Third Quarter Quell changed the rules for the 75th Games, where tributes are chosen from previous winners; as Katniss was the only female victor alive from District 12, she knew she would be chosen.

64 years prior, Lucy Gray Baird served as District 12’s female tribute. Lucy Gray’s reaping in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is shown from a younger Coriolanus Snow’s point of view. It also suggests that Lucy Gray was aware that her rival, Mayfair Lipp, arranged her selection, bringing a snake to slip down Mayfair’s dress collar. Sunrise on the Reaping will be the first time, through Haymitch, that audiences will view the tribute selection from the point of view of a person trying to rationalize their chances of not being selected for the Games and ultimately ending up so.

Sunrise On The Reaping’s Reaping Scene Risks Being Anticlimactic

We All Know How Sunrise On The Reaping Will End

The Hunger Games is arguably one of the darkest dystopian franchises ever created, with each of the main characters experiencing horrible death and destruction throughout their lives. Sunrise on the Reaping is set to become the most tragic installment as Haymitch’s story is arguably even darker than Katniss and Lucy’s. After his victory in the 50th Games, Haymitch’s mother, younger brother, and the woman he loves are murdered by the Capitol. It’s fair to assume that it will be the most heartbreaking Hunger Games book, but it’s taking a new risk with interpreting Haymitch’s reaping scene.

This scene could be anticlimactic when readers know how it must play out. Katniss and Lucy’s selections worked with audiences owing to their strong emotions and the unexpected interruptions that happened during their ceremonies. For Sunrise on the Reaping‘s reaping scene to be effective, Suzanne Collins needs to portray Haymitch’s emotions in a relatable and impactful manner despite the foregone conclusion. Sunrise on the Reaping faces a huge challenge by showing Haymitch’s selection from his own POV, and readers will have to wait to see if Collins’ new prose will live up to the story premise.

Source: People

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The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping

Release Date

November 20, 2026

Director

Francis Lawrence

Producers

Brad Simpson