You Won’t Believe Haymitch’s Heartbreaking Origin Story in New ‘Hunger Games’ Prequel!

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The latest “Hunger Games” prequel novel, “Sunrise on the Reaping,” penned by Suzanne Collins, won’t hit cinemas until next year, but it will be available in bookstores this coming March. A fresh excerpt has been released recently, offering a glimpse into the somber past of Haymitch Abernathy, a character previously portrayed by Woody Harrelson in the initial trilogy. In this upcoming story, we’ll delve deeper into his early life when he was compulsorily chosen to participate in the 50th Hunger Games, which also coincides with the second Quarter Quell – an event where double the number of tributes are selected from each district to compete.

The excerpt hails from “Sunrise on the Reaping,” as reported by People, and it’s set in Chapter 1 of the book. It reveals that not only is the day of the reaping Haymitch’s 16th birthday, but he has a 10-year-old sibling named Sid. He’s not anticipating being selected for the games, instead concentrating on completing his chores so he can spend the afternoon with his beloved Lenore Dove.

I aim to complete my tasks prior to the event so I can spend the afternoon enjoying my favorite pastimes – relaxing and spending time with Lenore Dove. My mother often discourages these activities, as she believes there’s no task too difficult or dirty for me and even the most financially struggling individuals have the ability to burden someone else with their troubles. However, considering the dual events of the day, I believe she might grant some leeway as long as my work is done. It’s the Gamemakers who could potentially disrupt my plans.

In the second Quarter Quell, as Haymitch prepares himself for the horrors he is about to experience, the text continues. Essentially, this event is twice as challenging due to the doubling of participants. However, I remind myself, there’s no point in fretting because there’s nothing one can do to alter the situation. It’s like two Hunger Games happening at once, with no control over the reaping or its aftermath. So I suppress my fears, avoid panicking, and refuse to let the Capitol derive any more fear from me. They’ve already taken enough.

What Does This Mean for the ‘Sunrise on the Reaping’ Movie?

Similar to how 2016’s “The Hunger Games” began by tugging at our heartstrings, it seems that the upcoming film “Sunrise on the Reaping” intends to do the same. Viewers will remember how the initial movie introduced us to Katniss and her family, particularly Primrose, as characters we could easily empathize with. However, their peaceful life was shattered when Primrose was chosen for tribute, and Katniss stepped up to take her place instead.

In the upcoming movie “Sunrise on the Reaping,” it appears they are adopting a similar approach, offering insights into Haymitch’s daily life and his deep affection for Lenore, before he is forcefully separated. At this point, the actors cast for the film haven’t been revealed yet, leaving us in suspense about who will portray the younger version of Harrelson’s character. The chosen actor must possess a broad emotional range to captivate viewers from the outset, making them fall in love with his character, and later evoke empathy as he grapples with the painful reality of being torn away from the life he cherishes within the oppressive nation of Panem.

Keep an eye out for Suzanne Collins’ novel “Sunrise at the Reaping” to be released on shelves by Scholastic Books on March 18th. The movie adaptation, produced by Lionsgate, is set to premiere nationwide on November 20, 2026. For those eager to revisit the beginning, you can currently stream “The Hunger Games” on Hulu right now.

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2025-01-16 23:31