‘Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping’ Promo Teases New Look At Old Faves Played By Elle Fanning, Kieran Culkin, Maya Hawke & More

Lionsgate released a new promotional video for The Hunger Games franchise on May 15, 2025, featuring a first look at returning characters played by Elle Fanning, Kieran Culkin, and Maya Hawke in the upcoming prequel film, *The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping*. The studio unveiled the teaser to generate excitement for the new film, which is scheduled for a November 2025 theatrical release and will explore the events of the 50th Hunger Games, a pivotal moment in the dystopian series' lore. The promotional piece serves a dual purpose, functioning as both a nostalgic recap of the previous five films in the blockbuster franchise and a preview of the new story. It strategically bridges the gap between the established cinematic universe and the new narrative chapter, reminding audiences of the saga's core themes of oppression and rebellion while introducing the fresh cast. The focus on familiar faces from earlier films, now portrayed by a new generation of actors, is a clear attempt to connect the legacy of the original trilogy with this new installment. *Sunrise on the Reaping* is the second prequel film following 2023's *The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes*, which chronicled a young Coriolanus Snow. This new chapter jumps forward in the timeline of Panem to the 50th Games, known as the Second Quarter Quell, a historically significant event referenced in the original books and films. The casting of high-profile stars like Fanning, Culkin, and Hawke indicates Lionsgate's continued investment in the property's prestige and its strategy to attract both dedicated fans and a broader audience. The promo successfully teases the high-stakes drama and political intrigue that will define this new entry. The marketing rollout underscores the enduring commercial power of The Hunger Games franchise nearly a decade after the main film series concluded. By blending recap footage with new teases, Lionsgate is efficiently courting its built-in fanbase while laying the groundwork for the narrative and emotional stakes of *Sunrise on the Reaping*. The film's exploration of a previously referenced but unseen Hunger Games promises to deepen the mythology of Panem and explore the brutal mechanisms of the Capitol in a new era.