Lionsgate has officially announced plans for The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, a new film set in the beloved dystopian universe created by Suzanne Collins. The movie is based on Collins’ upcoming novel of the same name and marks the sixth installment in the Hunger Games film franchise. With a wide theatrical release date set for November 20, 2026, the production is gearing up to bring this next chapter of Panem to life.
Francis Lawrence, who directed Catching Fire and both parts of Mockingjay, is in talks to return to the director’s chair for this new installment. Lawrence’s collaboration with Lionsgate has been pivotal in the success of the franchise, which has grossed $3.3 billion at the global box office. The production will be handled by Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson’s Color Force banner, with Michael Arndt expected to return as the screenwriter.
The story of Sunrise on the Reaping is set 24 years before the events of the original Hunger Games trilogy, during the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell. This Games is notable for its winner, Haymitch Abernathy, who would later mentor Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark. Although there’s no word yet on casting, the return to Panem is expected to draw significant interest from both established and new talent in the industry.
With production oversight from Meredith Wieck and Scott O’Brien at Lionsgate, and with a timeline that includes the start of pre-production work in 2025, this project is sure to attract crew members across various departments eager to contribute to the latest chapter of this blockbuster franchise. Given the scope and scale of previous Hunger Games films, production crews can anticipate a need for extensive set design, elaborate costume work, and significant VFX involvement to bring the world of Panem to life once more.
Lionsgate has been a consistent partner in bringing Suzanne Collins’ vision to the screen, and this latest film will continue that tradition. The franchise’s track record of high-quality production and innovative storytelling has set a high bar, and Sunrise on the Reaping is poised to build on that legacy. As the project moves closer to its production start, opportunities for involvement in this major production are likely to open up, drawing interest from top-tier talent across the film industry.
With The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, the production team at Lionsgate is once again preparing to deliver a cinematic experience that will resonate with audiences around the world, making it a prime opportunity for cast and crew looking to work on a high-profile project.
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