Lionsgate has released a new “Meet Haymitch” promo for The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, giving fans a closer look at Joseph Zada as young Haymitch Abernathy ahead of the film’s cinema release on 20 November 2026. The featurette arrived yesterday, Saturday 4 July, marking both Reaping Day and Haymitch’s birthday in the world of The Hunger Games. Usually, that would be a cheerful occasion. In Panem, it is an emotional blow. “Happy birthday, Haymitch!” Cut the cameras. We are already unwell.
The promo introduces Zada in the role made famous by Woody Harrelson in the original films, with the story taking place 24 years before Katniss Everdeen entered the arena. This time, the focus is the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell, where the Capitol doubled the number of tributes. For District 12, that means four names instead of two, and Haymitch is selected as punishment.
In the footage, Haymitch’s girlfriend Lenore Dove Baird, played by Whitney Peak, asks: “Can you imagine the sun rising on a world without a Reaping?” Haymitch replies: “Not on my birthday. Never had one that came without a Reaping.” It is a small line, but it says a lot about the darker roots of Haymitch’s story, with the Capitol’s cruelty hanging over him long before his name is called.
Directed by Francis Lawrence and adapted by Billy Ray from Suzanne Collins’ prequel novel, Sunrise on the Reaping also stars McKenna Grace as Maysilee Donner, Molly McCann as Louella McCoy, Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee, Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket, Ralph Fiennes as President Snow, Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman, Glenn Close as Drusilla Sickle and Billy Porter as Magno Stift.
“You and me until the end, right, Hay?” “Till the end, sweetheart.”
The new promo matters because it puts the spotlight firmly onto Haymitch, the character who will carry so much of this story’s emotional weight long before he becomes Katniss and Peeta’s mentor. For fans of the films, it was always clear that Haymitch had a tragic backstory buried somewhere under the jokes, the drink and the damage. Readers of the book already know why, and Sunrise on the Reaping is about to bring that heartbreak to the screen, showing a young Haymitch before Panem started taking every piece of him.
For CultureCues, if it was not already obvious, we love The Hunger Games, we love Haymitch, and we are still not emotionally over the book. Joseph Zada already looks like brilliant casting, the promo has us completely hooked, and yes, we are fully expecting this film to destroy our souls. Also, do not even talk to us about the Louella and Haymitch moment in the teaser. Devastating. Can’t call, can’t text, please email. See you at the Reaping. We will be bringing snacks and emotional support. May the odds ever be in your favour.
Watch the ‘Meet Haymitch’ teaser below.
Nikki Murray is a UK-based writer, screenwriter and founder & editor of CultureCues, covering film, television, music and pop culture. Her work focuses on storytelling and the moments shaping modern entertainment.