Has the first Sunrise on the Reaping trailer teased Woody Harrelson’s return? Not quite – it’s actually the ultimate Hunger Games Easter egg

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Has the first Sunrise on the Reaping trailer teased Woody Harrelson’s return? Not quite – it’s actually the ultimate Hunger Games Easter egg Features By Jasmine Valentine published 21 November 2025

I think I've seen this film before

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Woody Harrelson as Haymitch Abernathy in the original Hunger Games movies. (Image credit: Lionsgate)

At what feels like breakneck speed, we've already got our first trailer for the new Hunger Games movie, Sunrise on the Reaping. Author Suzanne Collins' new novel was only released in March of this year, but the film adaptation is already set to hit screens on November 20, 2026.

Perhaps it's because of this speed that basically every detail we pictured in our heads while reading the book has perfectly come to life in the trailer. Sunrise on the Reaping will follow the second Quarter Quell, the games that Katniss Everdeen's (Jennifer Lawrence) mentor Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson)

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Set before the original Hunger Games movies but after the events of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, we've got an entirely new cast playing for their survival. While big names like Jesse Plemons, Ralph Fiennes and Elle Fanning play the younger versions of characters we've seen before, newcomer Joseph Zada is taking on the role of Haymitch.

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But if you listen closely to the end of the trailer for Sunrise on the Reaping (which you can catch up with below), you'll hear a familiar voice. Harrelson is clearly heard saying "I think these games are gonna be different," which has understandably fueled the rumor mill – Harrelson, Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson have all allegedly been contracted for two filming days for the film.

However, I think it's merely a clever marketing hoodwink by Lionsgate to get us to believe this is the case. We've still got no idea if the rumors are true, but if they are, it's nothing to do with the new trailer.

Woody Harrelson's line in the Sunrise on the Reaping trailer is actually from Catching Fire

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (2026) Official Teaser – Joseph Zada - YouTube Watch On

Alas, we have seen this line before – more specifically, it's something Harrelson's version of Haymitch says in the second Hunger Games movie, Catching Fire. It's word-for-word the same, meaning no new scenes have been filmed with Harrelson... that we know of.

If anything, the most likely outcome is that Sunrise on the Reaping will use recycled Haymitch scenes from the original Hunger Games movies. Not only is it cheaper for Lionsgate to use, but scenes will be a more accurate segue into the Haymitch we were first introduced to (because... that was the Haymitch we were introduced to).

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My hunch tells me our original cast have all moved on from their Hunger Games days, and would be unlikely to want to re-enter the world they left behind a decade ago. I'd love nothing more than to be proved wrong, and if I am, I'm guessing we won't find out until the movie's opening weekend next year.

I don't think cameos are what we should be focused on, though. The incredible casting, attention to detail and just getting a new Hunger Games installment is enough excitement to last me for another 12 months, and I have no doubt that Sunrise on the Reaping is going to exceed our expectations.

If Harrelson wants to come along for the ride, great. But if he doesn't, we've still got a strong contender for the best film of 2026.

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Jasmine ValentineSocial Links NavigationStreaming Staff Writer

Jasmine is a Streaming Staff Writer for TechRadar, previously writing for outlets including Radio Times, Yahoo! and Stylist. She specialises in comfort TV shows and movies, ranging from Hallmark's latest tearjerker to Netflix's Virgin River. She's also the person who wrote an obituary for George Cooper Sr. during Young Sheldon Season 7 and still can't watch the funeral episode.

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