Suzanne Collins Breaks Her Silence to Praise Sunrise on the Reaping as "Vibrant and Devastating"
(Illustration: USA Current Affaires)
One week before The Hunger Games returns to cinemas, the woman who created Panem has spoken — and her verdict could hardly be warmer. Suzanne Collins, the author of the bestselling novels, has shared a rare public letter to fans calling The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping a "vibrant and devastating adaptation" of her book, and praising the cast in terms that have sent excitement for the film soaring.
Collins lives out of the spotlight and has no social media presence, which makes the letter — released by Lionsgate on November 13 and shared through the film's official channels — a genuine event in itself. "I could not be more excited for you to see The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping," she wrote, adding that director Francis Lawrence and his team "have put the finishing touches on a vibrant and devastating adaptation of the novel, leaving me with the happy job of singing its praises."
It is the kind of endorsement studios dream of. Collins has sat out the film's press tour, and her last public appearance was three years ago — so the letter carries real weight.
A New Haymitch Wins the Author's Highest Praise
The sharpest praise in Collins' letter is reserved for Joseph Zada, the newcomer playing a 16-year-old Haymitch Abernathy. Collins said he delivered "a remarkably powerful and moving performance" as the young tribute from District 12, and she was just as generous about the rest of the ensemble, calling the cast "astonishingly good by every measure" and signing off on them with the line: "Gems, every last one. I truly can't imagine a better cast."
She broke the cast down group by group — Mckenna Grace, Ben Wang and Molly McCann among the feisty young tributes; Kelvin Harrison Jr, Maya Hawke and Lili Taylor as the conspiratorial victors; Whitney Peak and her fellow District 12 denizens; and Glenn Close, Ralph Fiennes, Jesse Plemons, Elle Fanning, Kieran Culkin, Billy Porter, Iris Apatow and Edvin Ryding as the Capitol standouts.
Collins also praised the return of the original trilogy's stars. Woody Harrelson's reprisal of the older Haymitch, alongside Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson returning as Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark, brought what she called "such poignancy to the film" — a bridge between the new story and the saga fans have loved for nearly two decades.
Music, Fan Events and a Massive Final Week
The final week of promotion has been packed with moments designed to turn Collins' endorsement into box-office momentum. Lead actor Mckenna Grace, who plays Maysilee Donner, wrote and premiered an original song called "Half Alive" that she pitched to director Francis Lawrence — and it was added to the film's soundtrack. Singer Noah Kahan also wrote an original song for the film, "Draw You Out", which Collins singled out in her letter.
The production has been staging high-profile events around the world, including a Mexico City fan event on Saturday where the stars walked the red carpet. Early reactions from the London premiere have singled out Zada's performance, and Lionsgate is leaning hard into the film's IMAX sequences, legacy reunions and star-packed soundtrack.
Sunrise on the Reaping is set 24 years before the original Hunger Games, on the morning of the reaping for the 50th Hunger Games — the Second Quarter Quell. It follows 16-year-old Haymitch as he is chosen as a tribute and thrown into an arena designed to break him. Lawrence directs from a screenplay by Billy Ray and Michael Lesslie, based on Collins' 2025 novel. The film runs for two hours and 38 minutes and is rated 12A in the UK.
A Huge Weekend Ahead
The film opens in cinemas around the world on Friday, November 20 — the same weekend that Grand Theft Auto VI launches, making it one of the biggest entertainment weekends of the year. The original Hunger Games films grossed billions in the 2010s, and Sunrise on the Reaping is set up to be one of the season's biggest hits.
Collins closed her letter the way only she could, telling fans: "I feel such deep appreciation for your continued presence in Panem... May the odds be EVER in your favor!" With the author's blessing, a breakout new lead and the original stars back in the fold, the odds are looking very much in the film's favor.
The big-screen season is heating up fast: Tom Holland's Spider-Man is getting a major awards-season push, and the search for the next James Bond is gathering pace under Denis Villeneuve — but next Friday belongs to Panem.
Will you be watching Sunrise on the Reaping on opening weekend? Let us know in the comments.
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