The upcoming Hunger Games installment, Sunrise on the Reaping, will delve into the complex transformation of Haymitch Abernathy, the fan-favorite mentor from the original series. Director Francis Lawrence, who helmed Catching Fire and Mockingjay Parts 1 & 2, returns to the franchise to direct the prequel, which focuses on the 50th Hunger Games. Lawrence described the film as a "return to form" for the series, aiming to recapture the scope and spectacle of earlier installments while exploring Haymitch's journey from a carefree youth to the jaded figure seen in the first film.
"When something's wrong, you have to stand up," Lawrence stated, drawing a parallel between Haymitch's arc and the film's underlying message of activism. He sees the story as particularly relevant to contemporary audiences, highlighting the need to confront apathy and advocate for change, even when progress is slow. Producer Nina Jacobson noted that the narrative charts Haymitch's radicalization into a defender of District 12 and beyond, emphasizing that the games themselves, though central, serve a larger story about social control and entertainment.
Jacobson also touched on the production's serendipitous timing with Suzanne Collins's book, which was announced alongside the film's development. The early access to the manuscript allowed the filmmakers to maintain secrecy while preparing for production. She expressed appreciation for the book's placement within the series, suggesting that reading Sunrise after The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes provides a richer understanding of President Snow's character and his evolving relationship with the games and District 12.
Visually, Sunrise on the Reaping draws inspiration from the late 1960s and early 1970s. Lawrence cited the Jefferson Airplane song "White Rabbit" as an influence for the arena's Alice in Wonderland-esque design. This aesthetic extended to the Capitol's portrayal, with influences ranging from Yves Saint Laurent's early 70s style to the Studio 54 and Warhol crowds. District 12 characters are envisioned with a nod to young Stevie Nicks and Bruce Springsteen. The film utilized the ICC, a largely preserved early 1970s brutalist convention center in Berlin, as a primary filming location, providing an authentic backdrop for many of the film's settings, including training rooms and interview stages.
Jacobson highlighted Germany's architectural landscape as a significant asset, noting the thematic resonance of filming in historical locations like the Olympic Stadium, which hosted the 1936 Olympics. The conversation between the architecture and the narrative, spanning from World War II through the Cold War, has been a valuable element for the production.
Addressing the franchise's ability to tackle mature themes within a PG-13 rating, Lawrence acknowledged the challenges. He recounted moments in the book that pushed the boundaries, including a scene where a villainous character beheads a child. Both he and Jacobson agreed that translating these intense moments for a broader audience while retaining their impact requires careful consideration, though Jacobson playfully added that audiences can always refer to the book for the unadulterated content.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is scheduled for release on November 20.