“These ‘Hunger Games’ movies are kiddie’s play when compared to their obvious influence, Battle Royale.”
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again—Suzanne Collins has denied the connection for years, but every time a new trailer drops, the similarities pile up like bodies in an arena. The latest one, for The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, is no exception. We finally have our first look at the film, and if you were hoping for a gentle return to Panem, you might want to look away.
This franchise has always been a strange beast. It started as a YA sensation, morphed into a blockbuster juggernaut, and then… sort of drifted. The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes was fine. Serviceable. But let’s be honest—nothing has touched the raw nerve of Catching Fire. That film was lightning in a bottle. Now, director Francis Lawrence is back (again) to try and recapture that spark with a story set 24 years before Katniss Everdeen ever volunteered as tribute.
The Second Quarter Quell: Double the Death
The premise here is brutal, even by Panem standards. The trailer introduces us to the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell. The twist? Each district must send twice the number of tributes. That means 48 kids are going into that arena, and only one—our future drunk mentor Haymitch Abernathy—is coming out.
Joseph Zada steps into the shoes previously filled by Woody Harrelson, playing a young Haymitch who looks less like a cynic and more like a deer in headlights. The footage teases the sheer scale of this Quell. It’s crowded. It’s chaotic. And it feels heavy.
The cast surrounding him is absurdly stacked. We have Ralph Fiennes, Kieran Culkin, Jesse Plemons, and—in a move that feels like casting genius—Glenn Close as Drusilla Sickle. Close described her character’s look as something that will “end up in gay Halloween parades,” and looking at the brief glimpses of her in the trailer, she isn’t wrong. She looks like Effie Trinket’s terrifying aunt.
A Paycheck Director or a Franchise Savior?
Francis Lawrence is an interesting case study. I’ve called him a “paycheck guy” in the past, and I stand by it. He’s consistent, competent, but rarely visionary. Yet, when he hits—like with I Am Legend or Catching Fire—he hits hard.
He’s directing from a screenplay by Billy Ray, adapting Collins’ 2025 novel. The question is whether they can make us care about a character whose fate is already written. We know Haymitch survives. We know he becomes a broken, alcoholic mentor. The tension here isn’t “will he live?” but “what will he lose?”
The trailer suggests a film that is less about the revolution and more about the trauma that precedes it. It’s smaller in political scope but perhaps larger in personal horror. Or maybe it’s just another cash grab. I’m honestly torn. The visuals are crisp, the costumes (now designed by Bina Daigeler) are stunning, but there is a fatigue setting in. Do we need to see every corner of Panem’s history?
Fashion as a Weapon
Speaking of costumes, let’s talk about the look. Trish Summerville is gone, passing the torch to Daigeler (Tár, Mulan). That’s a big shift. Summerville defined the aesthetic of this franchise—the mix of high-fashion Capitol absurdity and district grit.
But Daigeler seems up to the task. Glenn Close’s Drusilla Sickle has five distinct looks in the film, each one described as “going for broke.” In a series where clothing often signals status and survival, this change in the visual guard is significant. The trailer shows a Panem that looks familiar but slightly… off. Older. Rougher. It fits the timeline.
The film is set for release on November 20, 2026. It’s a long wait. Until then, we have this footage to dissect. Is it Battle Royale with a bigger budget? Probably. But as long as they keep delivering spectacle, I suspect we’ll keep watching.
5 Observations From the ‘Sunrise’ Footage
- The Numbers Game: The Second Quarter Quell features 48 tributes instead of 24, instantly raising the stakes and the body count for young Haymitch.
- A New Visual Era: With costume designer Bina Daigeler taking over, the fashion of the Capitol looks sharper, weirder, and perhaps even more grotesque than before.
- Glenn Close’s Camp: As Drusilla Sickle, Close appears to be channeling a mix of Cruella de Vil and high-fashion nightmare, stealing every frame she’s in.
- Haymitch’s Trauma: Joseph Zada’s performance seems focused on the loss of innocence, showing us the boy before he became the bitter mentor we know.
- Director Consistency: Francis Lawrence’s return ensures the film retains the visual continuity of the franchise, for better or worse.
FAQ
Is Jennifer Lawrence in this movie?
No. The film is a prequel set 24 years before the events of the first Hunger Games, focusing on a young Haymitch Abernathy, so Katniss Everdeen does not appear.
What is the Second Quarter Quell?
It is a special edition of the Hunger Games held every 25 years. For the 50th Games (the Second Quarter Quell), the Capitol demanded that twice the number of tributes be reaped from each district.
Is the book ‘Sunrise on the Reaping’ out yet?
Yes, the film is based on Suzanne Collins’ novel of the same name, which was released in 2025.
Who plays young Haymitch?
Joseph Zada takes on the role of Haymitch Abernathy, portraying the character during his time as a tribute in the arena.
