Lionsgate Reveals Details for Hunger Games Prequel Film

Lionsgate is set to release 'The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping' in theaters on November 20, 2026, adapting Suzanne Collins' newly published book of the same name. At CinemaCon, director Francis Lawrence described the film as a 'return to form,' focusing on a visually spectacular arena and the origin story of Haymitch Abernathy during the 50th Hunger Games. The teaser revealed a fiery arena with motifs from previous installments, and Woody Harrelson is expected to reprise his role in some capacity, though casting details are still being finalized. Billy Ray, who wrote the screenplay for the original film, is returning to pen the script for this prequel. The movie is set 24 years before the original series and promises to delve deeper into the lore of Panem. More updates on casting and production are anticipated as filming is set to begin soon.