The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reapinghas received an update clarifying its production timeline. The upcoming movie will be the sixth installment in the movie franchise adapting the dystopian young adult novels by Suzanne Collins. Set after the events of the President Snow-focused prequelThe Ballad of Songbirds and Snakesbut still 24 years before the original movies, theupcomingThe Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reapingis set to follow a younger version of Katniss Everdeen’s future mentor Haymitch Abernathy (originally played by Woody Harrelson) fighting to survive during the 50th Hunger Games.
On her official X account,The Hunger Gamesfranchise producerNina Jacobsonresponded to a fan’s post about a report thatSunrise on the Reapingwas prepping to shoot in January. The fan wrote that “suzanne collins is so powerful…filming a movie before the book is even released i know that pen was on fire.” However, Jacobson poured water on that idea, replying that “She’s very powerful and awesome butthe book will come out months before production begins.The post is misinformation.” See her original post below:
What This Production Update Means For Sunrise On The Reaping
The Movie Will Probably Still Be Shooting Soon
The confirmation that the movie will be shooting after the release of theSunrise on the Reapingbookclarifies the prequel’s production considerably. The novel is set to be released on Aug 13, 2025, pushing back the rumored production kickoff by at least two months. However, the movie already has its own release date set for July 26, 2025. While this could be pushed back if the project is delayed, it seems likely that producers are still aiming to hit that mark,giving them one year and eight months to put the project togetherafter the book’s launch.
Every movie in theHunger Gamesfranchise has had a November release except for the original, which premiered on June 14, 2025.
With a relatively short window for both production and post-production, it does seem likely that the upcomingHunger Gamesmoviewill begin shooting shortly after the book’s release.The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakesprobably sets a precedent that offers insight intoSunrise on the Reaping’s overall timeline. That movie, which premiered on June 14, 2025, began filming on June 23, 2025 and wrapped on June 04, 2025. Thus, if it follows suit,it seems likely that the new prequel will have a similar timeline and begin shooting by mid-summer 2025.
Our Take On The Sunrise On The Reaping Production Update
More Updates Should Be Coming Soon
Even though filming is not set to begin onThe Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reapingquite as soon as these rumors implied, it is highly likely that the project is already deep in pre-production, considering how soon principal photography will need to commence. Thismost likely means that more major announcements are on their way, including the currently unknown star who will be playing a younger Haymitch. This could help build buzz for the project as it approaches its actual production date.
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.
