Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping character posters reveal a new lead
The official rollout sets the stage 24 years before the original story, handing Woody Harrelson's central role to a fresh face.
Lionsgate debuted 14 character posters to promote the prequel film "The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping" on Thursday, October 15. The newly released visual rollout offers moviegoers a first look at Joseph Zada as a young Haymitch Abernathy alongside an ensemble cast.
As reported by David Niederhoffer for Just Jared, "Lionsgate has debuted 14 new character posters to promote the upcoming movie The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping." The outlet noted that "The latest installment in the popular movie franchise takes place 24 years before the events of The Hunger Games and follows a young Haymitch Abernathy, played by Woody Harrelson in the original movies and by Joseph Zada in this prequel."
The full 14-character lineup
The collection of portraits introduces key figures from the 50th Hunger Games lineup. Mckenna Grace appears as Maysilee Donner, while Whitney Peak is featured as Lenore Dove Baird.
The lineup includes Ralph Fiennes as President Snow, Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee, Glenn Close as Drusilla Sickle, Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket, and Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman.
Rounding out the 14 character posters are Maya Hawke as Wiress, Ben Wang as Wyatt Callow, Billy Porter as Magno Stift, Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Beetee Latier, Percy Daggs IV as Ampert, and Lili Taylor as Mags Flanagan.
Reactions and international press tour
Entertainment accounts and franchise fan communities on social media widely circulated and celebrated the 14 character posters and the first look at the 50th Hunger Games lineup shortly after they debuted online.
The image release follows the launch of the film’s promotional run earlier in the week. On Wednesday, October 14, stars Zada and Grace officially launched the film’s international press tour in Sydney, Australia. The pair attended a Sydney Harbour photo call before heading to a fan event at The Eveleigh hosted by comedian Joel Creasey.
The road to the 50th Hunger Games
The poster reveal marks the latest step in Lionsgate’s promotional rollout for the project. On October 9, the studio debuted an official fan edit trailer on YouTube highlighting a scene with Close as Drusilla Sickle and Grace as Maysilee Donner alongside Zada. In early October, early promotional displays and posters for the film were also spotted in France featuring taglines "Défier l’autorité" and "Abuser du pouvoir."
"The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping" is scheduled to premiere in theaters on November 20, 2026. Lionsgate has not confirmed whether further individual tribute character posters will be rolled out prior to the film’s release.
