The Hunger Games Sunrise on the Reaping Teaser Unleashed: Joseph Zada’s Young Haymitch Takes Center Stage

One year before the film’s 2026 release, Lionsgate has released a surprise teaser trailer and first look images for The Hunger Games: Sunrise On Reaping, delivering fans their first glimpse of the franchise’s most anticipated prequel. The Hunger Games Sunrise on the Reaping teaser arrived on November 20, 2025—exactly one year before theatrical release—introducing rising Australian actor Joseph Zada as the young version of Haymitch Abernathy, the cynical mentor who became a fan favorite through Woody Harrelson’s portrayal in the original films.

Lionsgate scored its second biggest trailer launch in the studio’s history with its The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping teaser, which drew 109 million global views in its first 24 hours after debuting Thursday. This explosive reception positions the prequel as one of 2026’s most anticipated releases, proving that Panem’s dystopian world continues to captivate audiences worldwide nearly two decades after Suzanne Collins first introduced readers to the brutal Hunger Games.

The Hunger Games Sunrise on the Reaping Teaser: A Promising First Look

The Hunger Games Sunrise on the Reaping teaser delivers an action-packed preview of what promises to be the franchise’s darkest chapter yet, exploring the Second Quarter Quell that shaped Haymitch Abernathy from scrappy District 12 tribute into the alcoholic, traumatized mentor Katniss Everdeen would later encounter.

The teaser, coming one year before the prequel’s release on Nov. 20, 2026, has Joseph Zada playing young Haymitch Abernathy on the morning of the reaping of the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell. The footage showcases Zada’s compelling screen presence as he navigates the terror of reaping day, the violence of the arena, and the emotional devastation that comes with survival in Panem’s cruelest spectacle.

The first footage has Zada’s character showing his fight game as he competes in the Hunger Games a generation before Woody Harrelson played Abernathy in the original franchise movies. “I think these games are gonna be different,” young Abernathy says at one point. This line—delivered with ominous weight—foreshadows the Quarter Quell’s twisted rule: double the tributes, meaning 48 children instead of the usual 24 must fight to the death.

The end of the teaser trailer includes the voice of Woody Harrelson — who played Haymitch in the original “Hunger Games” films — saying, “I think these games are gonna be different”. This clever audio callback creates continuity between Zada’s younger portrayal and Harrelson’s established characterization, bridging past and future while honoring what made Haymitch such a compelling figure.

The teaser’s visual aesthetic maintains the franchise’s signature gritty realism while introducing fresh perspectives on familiar Hunger Games imagery—the reaping square terror, the Capitol’s oppressive grandeur, the arena’s deadly beauty, and the Cornucopia bloodbath that opens every Games with horrific efficiency.

Joseph Zada: The Rising Star Behind Young Haymitch Abernathy

Joseph Zada emerges as the beating heart of The Hunger Games Sunrise on the Reaping teaser, carrying the weight of one of the franchise’s most beloved characters with remarkable confidence for a relative newcomer to international cinema.

In April 2025, it was announced that Zada would star as Haymitch Abernathy in the Lionsgate film The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, based on the best-selling prequel novel to The Hunger Games of the same name. Zada was announced in the role with Whitney Peak, who will play Lenore Dove Baird, Haymitch’s girlfriend.

Lionsgate co-president Erin Westerman said in a statement: “After auditioning hundreds of gifted performers from around the world, these two stood out—not just for their talent, but for the emotional truth they brought to these iconic roles.” Westerman continued: “The Hunger Games franchise has long been a launching pad for remarkable young actors, and Jo and Whitney carry that legacy forward with incredible heart, depth, and fire”.

Joseph Zada’s Background and Career Journey

Joseph Cumpston, widely recognized by his stage name Joseph Zada, is an Australian actor best known for his breakout role as young Haymitch Abernathy in the upcoming The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (2026). Born on July 21, 2005, in Sydney, Australia, the 20-year-old actor comes from a deeply creative family that shaped his path to Hollywood.

His father, Jeremy Cumpston, is a director, actor, and doctor. His mother, Jessica Brentnall is a film producer. He has 4 siblings, including Hal Cumpston, who is also an actor. This artistic household provided Zada with unique insights into filmmaking from multiple perspectives—directing, producing, and performing.

He has Afghan-Aboriginal heritage through his paternal great-grandmother, contributing to his distinctive appearance and bringing valuable diversity to the Hunger Games franchise, which has increasingly prioritized authentic representation.

Zada’s Acting Credits and Rising Career

Joseph Zada is known for The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (2026), We Were Liars (2025) and Total Control (2019). While his filmography remains relatively brief, each project demonstrates increasing range and ambition.

His television breakthrough came with We Were Liars (2025), the Prime Video psychological thriller adapted from E. Lockhart’s bestselling novel. Playing Johnny Sinclair Dennis, Zada shows off the extent of his acting talent, bringing a boisterous and hot-tempered youth to life (something that will certainly be helpful when portraying certain parts of Haymitch Abernathy’s life in Sunrise on the Reaping). His performance earned critical praise and demonstrated his ability to navigate complex emotional terrain—essential preparation for Haymitch’s traumatic journey.

Zada also starred in Invisible Boys (2025), an Australian miniseries addressing LGBTQ+ themes during Australia’s marriage-equality debates, playing Charlie Roth with sensitivity and nuance. His early work in Total Control (2019) and the film Bilched (2019)—directed by his father and co-starring his brother Hal—provided foundational experience in Australian cinema before his international breakthrough.

Looking ahead, Joseph Zada is known for East of Eden, Cal Trask, Post-production, TV Mini Series—Netflix’s adaptation of John Steinbeck’s classic novel, where he’ll portray Cal Trask alongside Florence Pugh and Mike Faist, further establishing his dramatic credentials.

Zada’s Preparation for Haymitch

“I’ve seen scripts. I can’t say anything,” Zada told Deadline during the press day for We Were Liars. “I’ve read the book twice already“. This dedicated preparation—reading Suzanne Collins’ novel multiple times before filming even began—demonstrates Zada’s commitment to honoring the source material and understanding Haymitch’s psychological complexity.

“I’m a very, very, very big fan of everything to do with it and the whole cast and everyone involved,” Zada added. “I’m so ridiculously nervous“. This genuine humility and respect for the franchise’s legacy endears him to fans while suggesting he understands the weight of expectations resting on his shoulders.

After Zada’s casting was unveiled, Jacobson spoke to Deadline about the arduous process of finding “a young actor with the skill and imagination to embody young Haymitch.” She added that Zada “prepared like crazy and stole our hearts“.

The Story: Panem’s Darkest Games

The new film starts on the morning of the reaping of the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell, and the action is intense almost from the start. The Hunger Games Sunrise on the Reaping teaser establishes the unique horror of this particular Games—a Quarter Quell that occurs every 25 years with special rules designed to remind Panem’s districts of the Capitol’s absolute power.

“Sunrise on the Reaping,” based on the 2025 book of the same name, is set 24 years before the first film and follow a young Haymitch Abernathy (Joseph Zada) who is selected to compete in the 50th Hunger Games. Since the Games are the second Quarter Quell, which takes place every 25 years, each district of Panem must send twice the tributes to the capital. Here, 48 children will fight to the death to win the Hunger Games.

This doubled tribute count creates unprecedented carnage—twice as many terrified teenagers, twice as many grieving families, and exponentially increased brutality as the arena becomes even more crowded with desperate competitors. For District 12, this means four tributes instead of two, with Haymitch accompanied by his girlfriend Lenore Dove Baird (Whitney Peak), Maysilee Donner (McKenna Grace)—who fans know as Katniss’s mother’s twin sister—and another tribute.

Based on the new novel by author Suzanne Collins, “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping” is set 40 years after the events of the prequel “The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes,” and 24 years before Katniss Everdeen enters the arena. This timeline positioning allows the film to explore how Panem evolved from President Snow’s early consolidation of power to the fully mature totalitarian state Katniss would later challenge.

The Second Quarter Quell becomes the crucible that forges Haymitch’s cynicism, alcoholism, and reluctance to mentor future tributes—understanding these origins transforms our perception of the character from the original trilogy while adding tragic depth to his relationship with Katniss and Peeta.

Star-Studded Cast Beyond Joseph Zada

The Hunger Games Sunrise on the Reaping teaser showcases not just Zada but an exceptional ensemble blending established Hollywood talent with promising newcomers.

Pic features an all-star cast including Glenn Close, Kieran Culkin, Elle Fanning, Ralph Fiennes, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Maya Hawke, Jesse Plemons, Billy Porter, and Lili Taylor, alongside rising actors Joseph Zada, Whitney Peak, Mckenna Grace, and Ben Wang, among others.

Younger Versions of Iconic Characters:

“Sunrise on the Reaping” also stars Elle Fanning as a younger version of Effie Trinket, who was originally played by Elizabeth Banks. Ralph Fiennes plays President Coriolanus Snow, previously portrayed by Donald Sutherland in the original films and Tom Blyth in the “Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” prequel. Kieran Culkin will play Caesar Flickerman, the TV host of the Hunger Games, played by Stanley Tucci in the original films. Jesse Plemons will play a younger version of Plutarch Heavensbee, played by Philip Seymour Hoffman in the “Mockingjay” films.

District 12 Tributes:

• Whitney Peak as Lenore Dove Baird (Haymitch’s girlfriend, fellow tribute)
• McKenna Grace as Maysilee Donner (future aunt of Katniss, twin of Katniss’s mother)
• Ben Wang as Wyatt Callow (fourth District 12 tribute)
• Molly McCann as Louella McCoy (District 12 tribute)

Additional Cast:

Kelvin Harrison Jr., Glenn Close, Maya Hawke, Mckenna Grace, Billy Porter, Whitney Peak, Ben Wang, Molly McCann, Iona Bell and Percy Daggs IV are also among the cast. Glenn Close reportedly plays Drusilla Sickle, adding gravitas with her legendary dramatic range.

This casting strategy mirrors the original trilogy’s approach—blending Oscar-caliber veterans (Fiennes, Close) with hot young stars (Culkin, Fanning) and fresh faces (Zada, Peak)—creating intergenerational appeal while maintaining the franchise’s tradition of launching unknown actors to stardom.

Francis Lawrence Returns to Direct

Francis Lawrence, who began directing the Hunger Games movies starting with the second title, 2013’s Catching Fire, and has continued through to the Mockingjay movies (2014 and 2015) and the prequel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (2023), returns to helm Sunrise of the Reaping.

Lawrence’s involvement ensures visual and tonal continuity across the franchise while allowing him to explore new thematic territory. His proven ability to balance spectacle with intimacy, action with emotion, and political commentary with entertainment value makes him the ideal director to handle Haymitch’s devastating origin story.

The screenplay is by Billy Ray, the acclaimed writer behind Captain Phillips, Richard Jewell, and The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, bringing sharp political awareness and character depth to Collins’ adaptation.

Record-Breaking Teaser Performance

The Hunger Games Sunrise on the Reaping teaser didn’t just perform well—it shattered expectations and reaffirmed the franchise’s cultural dominance.

The prequel, based on the Suzanne Collins novel that hit book shelves in March via Scholastic, doesn’t hit theaters until next year at this time, November 20, 2026. Yet despite the year-long wait, fan enthusiasm remains explosive.

The teaser drop for the Hunger Games prequel follows Lionsgate’s record-shattering Michael teaser launch, which clocked 116M views in its first 24 hours after dropping November 6. That trailer is now up to about 300 million global views and also ranks as the most-viewed trailer for any music biopic ever. While the Michael Jackson biopic teaser holds Lionsgate’s top spot, Sunrise on the Reaping’s 109 million views in 24 hours positions it as the studio’s second-biggest launch—an extraordinary achievement for a franchise prequel releasing a year away.

Book Sales Success:

Sunrise on the Reaping sold 1.5 million copies in its first week on sale in the U.S., U.K., Ireland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The 1.2 million copies sold in the U.S. are twice the first week sales of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and three times the first week sales of Mockingjay.

In the U.S. alone, the book sold 1.2 million copies, more than twice the opening sales of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and over three times that of Mockingjay. This unprecedented literary success translated directly into cinematic anticipation, with readers eager to see Collins’ latest Panem story brought to visual life.

Franchise Commercial Power:

The Hunger Games franchise encompasses five novels that have sold more than 100 million copies worldwide and been translated into 52 languages, as well as the blockbuster film franchise that has grossed more than $3.4 billion at the global box office spanning five movies.

This staggering commercial track record—$3.4 billion across five films—demonstrates sustained audience investment in Panem’s dystopian world and positions Sunrise on the Reaping as a virtually guaranteed box office success even before its first full trailer drops.

What Makes This Prequel Different

The Hunger Games Sunrise on the Reaping teaser suggests several distinctive elements that separate this installment from previous franchise entries:

The Quarter Quell Factor: Doubling tribute numbers from 24 to 48 creates unprecedented scale and carnage. The original trilogy’s Games felt intimate despite their brutality—Sunrise on the Reaping promises something far more overwhelming, chaotic, and nightmarish.

Origin Story Weight: Unlike Katniss’s story, which we experienced in real-time, audiences know Haymitch’s tragic endpoint—the alcoholic, traumatized mentor unable to save most of his tributes. This creates dramatic irony as we watch a hopeful teenager transform into a broken man, understanding that survival comes with unbearable psychological costs.

Romantic Stakes: Whitney Peak, who will play Lenore Dove Baird, Haymitch’s girlfriend. The teaser hints at their relationship, adding romantic tragedy to survival horror. Fans familiar with the books know Haymitch loses everyone he loves in brutal Capitol retaliation after his arena victory—watching him fall in love knowing this outcome creates devastating emotional investment.

Historical Context: Set 40 years after Songbirds and Snakes but 24 years before the original trilogy, the film explores Panem at a unique historical moment—President Snow’s regime fully established and refined into maximum oppressive efficiency, but not yet facing the rebellion Katniss will spark.

Character Callbacks: Seeing younger versions of Effie, Caesar, Plutarch, and Snow creates rich intertextuality for franchise fans while standing independently for newcomers. These characters’ trajectories—from complicit participants to eventual rebels (in Plutarch and Effie’s cases)—gain new dimensions when we see them in their younger, less questioning iterations.

Release Strategy and Fan Expectations

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is scheduled to be released in the United States on November 20, 2026, in IMAX. The IMAX release signals Lionsgate’s confidence in the film’s visual spectacle and commitment to theatrical experience over streaming-first strategy.

On November 20, 2025, exactly a year from theatrical release, an official teaser for the film was released. This year-long marketing campaign allows sustained buzz-building while giving Joseph Zada time to conduct interviews, appear at conventions, and build his profile as the franchise’s new face.

The November 2026 release positions Sunrise on the Reaping outside the crowded summer blockbuster season, claiming the Thanksgiving weekend corridor that traditionally favors family-friendly films and crowd-pleasing spectacles—ideal for a franchise with multi-generational appeal.

Expanded Universe:

The teaser drop for Sunrise on the Reaping comes in the wake of The Hunger Games: On Stage opening in London in a further extension of the franchise by Lionsgate. This theatrical adaptation demonstrates Lionsgate’s commitment to expanding Panem across multiple media platforms, building a transmedia empire around Collins’ dystopian vision.

May the Odds Be Ever in Lionsgate’s Favor

The Hunger Games Sunrise on the Reaping teaser succeeds spectacularly in its dual mission—reactivating dormant franchise enthusiasm while introducing Joseph Zada as a compelling new protagonist worthy of carrying this beloved property forward. The 109 million views in 24 hours speak to enduring fan investment, while the teaser’s polished action, emotional resonance, and clever callbacks to franchise mythology demonstrate that Francis Lawrence and his team understand what made these stories culturally significant.

Joseph Zada’s casting represents both risk and reward—an unknown actor inheriting an iconic role always invites skepticism, yet his raw intensity and emotional vulnerability in the teaser suggest he possesses the talent to make Haymitch his own while honoring Woody Harrelson’s foundational performance. If Zada delivers a star-making turn, he joins Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, and Tom Blyth in the franchise’s tradition of launching careers while telling politically resonant survival stories.

With a year until theatrical release, The Hunger Games Sunrise on the Reaping teaser accomplishes its primary goal: making November 20, 2026 feel impossibly far away while ensuring that when Haymitch Abernathy’s Games finally begin, audiences worldwide will be ready to return to Panem’s brutal arena one more time.

Read More: Dining with the Kapoors OTT Release Date: Ranbir Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor’s Netflix Special

FAQs