'The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping' draws first reactions that call it the Rogue One of the franchise

What happened at the premiere

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping held its London premiere on a Wednesday, and brief first reactions appeared on social media. ^[1] Lionsgate allowed people who attended Oct. 28 screenings to post limited reactions ahead of opening day. ^[1]

Full critics reviews are not expected until much closer to the film's theatrical release. ^[1]

What the first reactions say

Film critic Griffin Schiller called the movie the Rogue One and Andor of The Hunger Games franchise. ^[2] Filmhounds Magazine editor-in-chief Gavin Spoors praised the film's third act as stellar. ^[2]

Casting drew the most attention. Next Best Picture editor Matt Neglia wrote that the film features some of the best casting of the year. ^[2] Static Media writer Nina Starner said Zada's casting couldn't be better. ^[2]

Collider's Perri Nemiroff wrote that Joseph Zada is one of the biggest highlights of the film. ^[2] Lauren LaMagna wrote that Joseph Zada is heartbreakingly radiant as Haymitch. ^[2]

The story and the cast

The film follows 16-year-old Haymitch Abernathy, played by Joseph Zada, from District 12. ^[1] Zada plays a young Haymitch, taking over the role from Woody Harrelson. ^[2]

The story begins on the morning of the reaping for the 50th Annual Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell, which has twice as many tributes as usual. ^[1] In the arena, Haymitch forms an unlikely alliance with fellow tribute Maysilee Donner, played by Mckenna Grace. ^[1]

Haymitch joins a coalition determined to challenge the Capitol's control under President Snow, played by Ralph Fiennes. ^[1] Haymitch risks everything to take down the Games from within the arena, setting in motion the rebellion that will change Panem forever. ^[1]

The cast includes Jesse Plemons as Plutarch, Ralph Fiennes as President Snow, Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman, and Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket. ^[2]

Where the film fits

Lionsgate revived the Hunger Games property in 2023 with the prequel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. ^[3] Sunrise on the Reaping is a direct sequel to the 2023 film The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. ^[1]

Both prequels serve as prequels to Lionsgate's main Hunger Games series, which was released from 2012 to 2015. ^[1] The film is set 24 years before the events of The Hunger Games. ^[1]

Nina Jacobson said the franchise is not made unless Suzanne Collins writes a book. ^[3] Jacobson said the film is about resistance and the cost of it. ^[3]

How AI was used

The production team used AI approximations of actors to test new line readings for Sunrise on the Reaping. ^[3] Lines tested with AI would then be recorded with the cast in a traditional automated dialogue replacement process. ^[3]

Jacobson said AI was never used to replace any of the artists or anything seen onscreen. ^[3]