Rachel Zegler, who played the character Lucy Gray Baird in A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, recently confirmed she won't return for the upcoming Hunger Games prequel, Sunrise on the Reaping. While Zegler admitted she would love to reprise her role, the timeline and new storyline mean her character isn't included in the next installment.
Scheduled for release in November 2026, Sunrise on the Reaping is set 40 years after the events of A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and follows Haymitch Abernathy, another pivotal character in The Hunger Games universe. Abernathy, known to fans as Katniss Everdeen's mentor, is portrayed in his younger years as he navigates his own Hunger Games and the implications of victory.
Author Suzanne Collins explained that Sunrise on the Reaping will delve into themes of propaganda and power, resonating with modern-day concerns about control and influence. “The question ‘Real or not real?' seems more pressing to me every day,” Collins remarked, hinting at the dark undertones that will characterize Haymitch's journey.
While Sunrise on the Reaping takes place long before Katniss Everdeen's rebellion, it offers an essential backstory to the Capitol's growing influence and the deeper forces at play in Panem. Fans can expect to explore Haymitch's background, understand his resilience, and see what shaped him into the rebellious, weary mentor we know from the original series.
With Sunrise on the Reaping, Suzanne Collins seems set to capture both new fans and original followers of The Hunger Games. Though Rachel Zegler's Lucy Gray won't return, her absence highlights the new story's focus on Haymitch and the Capitol's darker political shifts. As fans await the novel in March 2025 and the film in late 2026, there's plenty of excitement building around this next chapter.
My Impressions
Rachel Zegler's confirmation about her non-return is bittersweet for fans who enjoyed her portrayal of Lucy Gray Baird. While Sunrise on the Reaping has a new focus, the decision not to include Zegler may disappoint some, especially given her character's impact in A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. However, centering the story on Haymitch Abernathy allows for a fresh exploration of Panem's political landscape and offers a chance to see Haymitch's younger, more vulnerable side. It'll be fascinating to witness how Collins connects this installment to the themes of propaganda and control she touched on in previous books. Hopefully, Sunrise on the Reaping will deepen fans' understanding of the complex world she's created.
Do you think Sunrise on the Reaping will live up to the original Hunger Games series? How do you feel about Haymitch taking center stage?
