Glenn Close Is Unrecognizable in Sunrise on the Reaping Teaser Trailer

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The odds are in Hunger Games fans’ favor. 

Lionsgate surprised fans on November 20th with a first look at Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, the next movie in the series. This film will explore the early life of Haymitch Abernathy and is scheduled to be released in theaters a year later.

As a huge fan, I was immediately hooked by the trailer’s opening scene – the Reaping. It starts with the annual ceremony across Panem, and then Drusilla Sickle, played by the incredible Glenn Close, makes this shocking announcement. Honestly, she’s almost unrecognizable with the prosthetics and fake teeth they used! She declares that District 12 has to send double the tributes this year because of the second Quarter Quell. It was a really impactful moment.

“Twice the tributes,” Drusilla says into the microphone, to a stony-faced crowd. “Twice the glory.”

The scene then shifts to show the arena where a young Haymitch (played by Joseph Zada) will fight to survive. It’s a surprising contrast to the dark arenas audiences have seen before – this one is beautiful and lush, filled with mountains and fields of wildflowers.

A beautiful façade for whatever horrors undoubtedly lurk below.

The rest of the preview shows Haymitch and the other tributes—like Maysilee Donner (McKenna Grace) from District 12—struggling to stay alive. They team up with surprising people and fight against their enemies.

“Next year,” the words across the screen read. “A new era of the Games begins.”

The film also offers glimpses into Haymitch’s past, showing his relationship with Lenore Dove Baird (played by Whitney Peak), and introduces other important characters as they appeared 25 years before the events of The Hunger Games. We see early versions of Effie Trinket (Elle Fanning), President Snow (Ralph Fiennes), and Plutarch Heavensbee (Jesse Plemons).

The trailer ends with a haunting line delivered by Woody Harrelson as the older Haymitch: “I think these games are going to be different.”

And in the distance, a volcano erupts.

Based on Suzanne Collins’ book, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping will be released in theaters on November 20, 2026. Here’s everything we know so far about the new movie and its return to the world of Panem.

A little birdie, er mockingjay, revealed the movie will be released November 20, 2026.

This book is a prequel to The Hunger Games, set 24 years before Katniss Everdeen’s story begins. It opens on the day of the reaping for the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell. According to author Suzanne Collins, the story finds the districts of Panem filled with fear, as this year’s Quarter Quell will select twice as many tributes. In District 12, Haymitch Abernathy is simply focused on surviving the day and being with the woman he loves.

Joseph Zada will be playing Haymitch Abernathy, the District 12 tribute, in the new film. Woody Harrelson previously played this role in earlier Hunger Games movies. But Zada is no stranger to acting – he’s also appeared in We Were Liars, Invisible Boys, Total Control, and The Speedway Murders.

Whitney Peak will portray Lenore Dove Baird, Haymitch’s girlfriend. Peak is known for her roles in several TV series, including the Gossip Girl reboot, Home Before Dark, and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. She’s also appeared in films such as Campfire Kiss, Molly’s Game, and Hocus Pocus 2.

Mckenna Grace plays Maysilee Donner, the District 12 tribute alongside Katniss. You might recognize Mckenna from her roles in several popular shows and movies. She’s been acting since she was young, appearing in Disney’s Crash & Bernstein, the soap opera The Young and the Restless, and the film Gifted, for which she won a Critics Choice Award. She’s also been in films like I, Tonya, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Annabelle Comes Home, and The Bad Seed. On television, she’s appeared in shows like The Haunting of Hill House and The Handmaid’s Tale, earning an Emmy nomination for her work on the latter.

Jesse Plemons is taking over the role of Plutarch Heavensbee, originally played by the late Philip Seymour Hoffman in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and the Mockingjay films. Plemons is a highly acclaimed actor, having received an Oscar nomination for The Power of the Dog and Emmy nominations for his work in Love & Death, Black Mirror, and Fargo – where he met his partner, Kirsten Dunst. He’s also appeared in notable films and series like Killers of the Flower Moon, The Irishman, Battleship, and Breaking Bad.

As a huge fan of casting choices, I’m really excited about this! Kelvin Harrison Jr. is stepping into the role of Beetee, which many of you will remember from the original Hunger Games films – Jeffrey Wright previously brought him to life. But if you haven’t seen Kelvin’s work before, you’re in for a treat! He’s been fantastic in everything from Genius and Chevalier to Waves and Luce, and even lent his voice to Mufasa: The Lion King. He’s a truly versatile actor, and I think he’ll be perfect as Beetee, especially knowing Beetee is also the father of a tribute in the upcoming 50th Games!

The casting of Maya Hawke as Wiress – a Hunger Games victor and mentor, previously played by Amanda Plummer in Catching Fire – is generating a lot of excitement. Hawke comes from a famous acting family, with parents Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke, and has already impressed audiences with roles like Jo March in the Little Women series, Eleanor in Do Revenge, Anxiety in Inside Out 2, and, notably, Robin in Stranger Things.

Lili Taylor is now playing the role of Mags, a former Hunger Games victor and mentor, which was originally portrayed by the late Lynn Cohen in Catching Fire. Taylor is an Emmy-nominated actress known for her work in shows like American Crime and Six Feet Under. She’s also appeared in popular films including The Conjuring, Mystic Pizza, Say Anything, and I Shot Andy Warhol, among many other projects.

Wyatt Callow, a tribute from District 12, is played by Ben Wang. Besides appearing in the latest Hunger Games movie, Wang has also been in Karate Kid: Legends, the film adaptation of Mean Girls, Good Egg, Sight, and American Born Chinese.

Ralph Fiennes portrays President Snow, the ruler of Panem, a role previously held by Tom Blyth in The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes and the late Donald Sutherland in Catching Fire and the Mockingjay films.

Fiennes is a highly acclaimed actor, having been nominated for an Oscar three times for his performances in Conclave, The English Patient, and Schindler’s List. He’s also received seven BAFTA nominations, recognizing his work in films like The Grand Budapest Hotel, Coriolanus, The Constant Gardener, and The End Of The Affair. Additionally, he earned an Emmy nomination for his role in Bernard And Doris.

 

Molly McCann plays the role of Louella, a tribute from District 12. The actress has a growing list of credits, including appearances in TV shows like Bad Sisters, The Hardacres, The Boy That Never Was, and Star Wars: Visions. She’s also been in the films Herself, Freelance, Never Grow Old, and Feed.

Iona Bell plays Lou Lou, who looks just like Louella. You might recognize Bell from her roles in films like Fing!, Savage Flowers, and Frayed, as well as the TV show Mandrake.

Many people are curious about who will play Effie Trinket in the upcoming film. While Elizabeth Banks previously played the role in The Hunger Games movies, Elle Fanning is now taking on the character. In Sunrise on the Reaping, Effie is Haymitch Abernathy’s stylist before the 50th Hunger Games.

Elle Fanning began her career alongside her sister, Dakota Fanning, in the 2001 film I Am Sam, and has since starred in popular movies like Maleficent, Somewhere, Super 8, The Beguiled, and A Complete Unknown.

On television, she’s known for her roles in The Girl from Plainville and The Great, for which she received an Emmy nomination.

Stanley Tucci famously played Caesar Flickerman in the Hunger Games movies, but the franchise has now cast Kieran Culkin to take on the role.

Kieran Culkin started acting as a child, appearing in films like Home Alone alongside his brother Macaulay Culkin, as well as Father of the Bride and She’s All That. After a break from acting, he returned with roles in movies and TV shows including Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, Succession, and A Real Pain, earning him his first Oscar nomination.

Glenn Close is taking on the mean-spirited energy of District 12 tributes’ escort Drusilla Sickle.

In a statement released on June 16th, producer Nina Jacobs praised actress Glenn, calling her a “dream Drusilla.” Jacobs highlighted Glenn’s intelligence and creativity, noting that she consistently creates memorable and iconic characters.

As a lifestyle expert, I’ve always been impressed with this actress’s range! Before her latest role, she really captivated audiences in films like Fatal Attraction, The Wife, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Hillbilly Elegy – each performance was so memorable and showcased her incredible talent.

Billy Porter played Magno Stift, the estranged husband of Drusilla and the fashion designer for the District 12 tributes. He was known for getting ideas for his designs from live reptiles.

Nina was particularly impressed by Billy’s performance in Pose, for which he won an award in 2019 as Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for playing Pray Tell.

In a statement released on June 16th, she praised Billy as a uniquely captivating performer, capable of both brilliance and emotional depth. She specifically recalled being deeply impressed by him during their time working together on Pose, noting his talent as an actor and his character as a person.

He’s appeared in several popular projects, such as American Horror Story, Cinderella, and The Broken Hearts Club: A Romantic Comedy.

Francis Lawrence is a seasoned director, known for previously working on The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and both parts of Mockingjay. Beyond that franchise, he’s directed films like Slumberland, See, and Red Sparrow, starring Jennifer Lawrence. He also has a strong background in music videos, having directed iconic visuals for artists including Beyoncé (“Run the World (Girls)”), Lady Gaga (“Bad Romance”), Britney Spears (“Circus”), and Jennifer Lopez (“Jenny From the Block”).

Billy Ray is well-known to the series, as he previously directed the first film based on Suzanne Collins’ novel. He’s also directed other popular movies like Terminator: Dark Fate, Flightplan, and Captain Phillips, earning an Oscar nomination for the latter. Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson are producing the new film, Sunrise on the Reaping, with Cameron MacConomy as executive producer.

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2025-11-20 20:18