Summary
There’s a newHunger Gamesbook and movie on the way, and while this is certainly exciting, the story may not follow the character everyone assumes. Author Suzanne Collins announced that she was preparing a new prequel for release and noted that it would be set 40 years after the events ofThe Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. This is a pretty significant hint regarding the story, and fans have since run with the idea that it will center around a specific protagonist. However, there hasn’t been any confirmation that this is the case.
The announcement for the coming prequel, which istitledSunrise on the Reaping, came first through Scholastic. It was revealed that the new story would pick up on the morning of the 50th Hunger Games, which happened to be the tournament won by District 12’s Haymitch Abernathy. This is undoubtedly exciting since fans ofThe Hunger Gameshave been requesting a Haymitch prequel for years. However, whileHaymitch must certainly be a feature of the coming book (and movie adaptation), we don’t know for sure that he will be the point-of-view character.
10 Hunger Games Characters Who Can Return In The New Prequel Movie
The new Hunger Games prequel will cover the 50th Games, and there are several franchise characters who are likely (or guaranteed) to appear.
Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping’s Announcement Doesn’t Mention Haymitch
The Official Announcement For Sunrise On The Reaping Only Reveals The Book’s Setting
It has been assumed thatSunrise on the Reapingwould be from Haymitch’s point of view since he is thevictor of the 50th Hunger Games. However,neither theScholastic announcementnor any other official coverage from Suzanne Collins has specifically mentioned this character’s name. This is strange since the announcement forThe Ballad of Songbirds and Snakesmade it explicitly clear that a young Coriolanus Snow would be the central character. This means that there is a chance thatSunrise on the Reapingwill surprise us.
The Hunger Games Prequel Book May Follow Haymitch’s Games From Another POV
Other Characters Could Offer A Valuable Perspective Of The 50th Hunger Games
Haymitch isn’t the only character who played a prominent role in the 50th Hunger Games. He may have been the victor, but, as is the nature of the games, he was only a piece on a much larger chessboard. It’s always possible thatSunrise on the Reapingwill again be from Coriolanus Snow’s perspective, allowing the newest prequel to serve as adirect sequel toThe Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Or,the story could take the point of view of one of the other tributes, like District 12’s Maysilee Donner. Of course, given her impending death, this may be tricky.
It’s also possible that Sunrise on the Reaping will take several points of view, allowing multiple characters, like Haymitch, Maysilee, President Snow, and others, to give readers their perspectives.
It’s also possible thatSunrise on the Reapingwill take several points of view, allowing multiple characters, like Haymitch, Maysilee, President Snow, and others, to give readers their perspectives. Collins hasn’t yet done this in herHunger Gamesbooks—Katniss' story was exclusively from her own perspective, whileBallad of Songbirds and Snakestook Snow’s POV. However, as a potential capper for the franchise, with perhaps the largest number of characters at play at one time,Sunrise on the Reapingcould benefit from a variety of POV protagonists.
TheSunrise on the Reapingbook will release on June 17, 2025, with the movie adaptation following on June 15, 2025.
Why It Makes Sense For Sunrise On The Reaping To Have A Different Protagonist
Suzanne Collins' Established Hunger Games Pattern May Hint At A New Perspective
It would certainly be exciting to take Haymitch’s point of view inSunrise on the Reaping, and this is undoubtedly what is expected from the upcoming book and movie. However, the fact that bothThe Hunger GamesandBallad of Songbirds and Snakesleft so many unanswered questionsis reason enough to take a variety of perspectives in this next installment. There is a lot about Snow that still needs to be understood, especially at this point in the timeline. What’s more, there will be a lot of interest in what state District 13’s rebellion is in during the 50th Games.
Collins' pattern in herHunger Gamesbooks is also something to be considered. TheHunger Gamestrilogy took the perspective of a District tribute, whileThe Ballad of Songbirds and Snakesallowed readers to see the games from a Capitol teen’s point of view. Now, as Collins explores the final unexplored year that the tournament was won by a District 12 tribute, it may make sense for the author to again take a fresh angle. The title,Sunrise on the Reaping, could indicate that the reaping itself will be a stronger focus, soperhaps a tribute’s parent, sibling, or friend will get the POV. Only time will tell.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping
Cast
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping explores the dystopian world of Panem 24 years prior to Katniss Everdeen’s story. This prequel focuses on the reaping of the 50th Hunger Games, known as the Second Quarter Quell, unveiling the origins of crucial events and traditions in the series.
