Official Cover and Synopsis Revealed for 'Sunrise on the Reaping' - Haymitch Abernathy Takes Center Stage

Sunrise on The Reaping Book Cover Reveal Attention, tributes! The moment we've all been waiting for is finally here. Revealed this morning on the Today Show, the official cover of Sunrise on the Reaping is out, and it's everything we hoped for and more! The newest installment in Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games saga is set to hit bookshelves on March 18, 2025.

But wait, there's more! Alongside the stunning cover reveal, we've got the official book synopsis, confirmation of Haymitch Abernathy's point of view, and our first teaser quote from the man himself. Cue the screaming, crying, and throwing up!

Haymitch Abernathy's Story - Finally Told!

Haymitch Abernathy in The Hunger GamesLongtime fans of the original trilogy will remember Haymitch Abernathy, District 12's sardonic mentor to Katniss and Peeta. He survived and won the 50th Hunger Games - the Second Quarter Quell - and now, he's stepping into the spotlight as the protagonist of this highly anticipated prequel. Scholastic confirmed in a press release that we'll finally delve into Haymitch's backstory.

Official Book Synopsis:

"Sunrise on the Reaping revisits the world of Panem 24 years before the events of The Hunger Games, starting on the morning of the reaping for the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.

As the day dawns on the 50th annual Hunger Games, fear grips the districts of Panem. This year, in honor of the Quarter Quell, twice as many tributes will be taken from their homes. Back in District 12, Haymitch Abernathy is trying not to think too hard about his chances. All he cares about is making it through the day and being with the girl he loves.

When Haymitch’s name is called, he can feel all his dreams break. He’s torn from his family and his love, shuttled to the Capitol with the three other District 12 tributes: a young friend who's nearly a sister to him, a compulsive oddsmaker, and the most stuck-up girl in town.

As the Games begin, Haymitch understands he’s been set up to fail. But there’s something in him that wants to fight... and have that fight reverberate far beyond the deadly arena."

First Teaser Quote from Haymitch:

Our first quote from Haymitch Abernathy in Sunrise on the ReapingAfter the cover reveal, the official Hunger Games social media accounts blessed us with the first teaser quote from the upcoming book:

"They will not use my tears for their entertainment."

Can we talk about how powerful this line is? It's giving us major chills and hints at the emotional rollercoaster we're about to embark on. Haymitch's defiance and resilience are already shining through, and we can't wait to see more of his inner thoughts and struggles.

The Haunting Tagline:

Adding more depth to the emotional landscape of the book, Scholastic released a chilling tagline that foreshadows Haymitch's upcoming journey:

"When you've been set up to lose everything you love, what is there left to fight for?"

First Look at the Cover Art:

We also got some intriguing insights into the cover art from Scholastic's press release:

Sunrise On The Reaping Book Cover

"The spiky sun rises on a symbol that will come to mean a lot to Haymitch Abernathy, as well as countless readers," said David Levithan, vice president, publisher, and editorial director for Scholastic.

"Artist Tim O’Brien has created yet another iconic Hunger Games cover—this one symbolically exploring one of the central themes of the series: how conflicting forces can be connected by their common nature, the songbird and the snake springing from the same source."

The cover features a radiant, spiky sun between two familiar symbols, hinting at the dualities and conflicts that will shape Haymitch's journey. It promises depth and symbolism—exactly what we've come to expect from the series.

The Cover Controversy:

While the fandom is buzzing with excitement over the synopsis, teaser quote, and Haymitch's confirmed role as protagonist, the cover itself has sparked some debate! Our Instagram poll shows a 75% positive vs. 25% negative reaction so far.

Some fans are absolutely loving the new design, praising its boldness and symbolic depth. Others are on the fence, hoping it will grow on them as more is revealed about the story and the meaning behind the imagery.

Let the Theories Begin!

We'll be diving deeper into a cover analysis and sharing all our thoughts on the synopsis, that heart-stopping tagline, and Haymitch's poignant quote in upcoming posts. But for now, we want to hear from you!

What are your initial thoughts on the cover?

How does Haymitch's teaser quote make you feel?

What emotions does the tagline evoke for you?

Are you excited to explore Haymitch's backstory?

What do you think the symbolism on the cover represents?

Drop your comments below or join the conversation on our Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook pages. Let's get the discussion started!

Mark Your Calendars & Pre-Order Now!

Sunrise on the Reaping will be released on March 18, 2025. Secure your copy now by pre-ordering through the link below.

Pre-Order "Sunrise on the Reaping" HERE!

IMAX will screen The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes this fall

IMAX will screen The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, The Marvels, and Killers of the Flower Moon in place of Dune 2 this fall according to CEO Richard Gelfond.

Speaking at the Goldman Sachs Communcacopia + Technology Conference last week, Gelfond said “Now that [Dune 2 has] moved, we can play all three and we have a great title next year in Dune.”

Imax will also be screening the upcoming Taylor Swift concert tour movie in October.

Will you see The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes in IMAX?

New Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes Still & Interview With Francis Lawrence In Empire Magazine

An exclusive new still from The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes and an interview with director Francis Lawrence is in the October issue of Empire Magazine. The digital copy will be available Thursday, August 31st for Empire members. 

In the interview Francis discusses how Lucy Gray Baird differs from of Katniss Everdeen, how Rachel had to jump right into the arena, and a key scene we're all looking forward to from the book:

“Katniss was an introvert and a survivor,” Francis says. “She was quite quiet and stoic. Lucy Gray is the opposite. She wears her sexuality on her sleeve, and she really is a performer. She loves crowds,” says Lawrence. “She knows how to play crowds and manipulate people.” 

The new film is set against the tenth annual Hunger Games, in which Lucy Gray, a travelling musician confined to one of the competing districts, has been chosen to enter. Zegler - who broke through as Maria in Steven Spielberg's West Side Story - had already proven she had the musical chops for the part. But how would she fare as a contestant in a brutal fight to the death?

She didn't have long to find out. Two days after wrapping Disney's live-action Snow White, Zegler was in Poland shooting intense battle scenes in the staged Hunger Games arena. "The opening of the games we call 'the bloodbath, and that's exactly what she had to jump into right away," says Lawrence. He describes Zegler's first few days, which saw her running around a dusty, crumbling set while performing combat choreography. "She was leaving [the set] bruised pretty much every day, but those fighter qualities came in," he remembers.

Mentoring Lucy Gray through the games is Corialanus Snow (Tom Blyth), who, it's no spoiler to say, rises to become the big bad played by Donald Sutherland in Katniss' story. In The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes, young Snow is trying to restore his family's legacy when he succumbs to Lucy Gray's well-rehearsed charms. "She loves crowds. She knows how to play crowds and manipulate people," says Lawrence, who reveals that rather than deadly weapons, this is the character's strongest survival tool.

The film will play up to its new hero's performative personality with a series of musical numbers, some of which come courtesy of Lucy Gray's troupe, the Covey. Żegler was learning the guitar when she came on board and had tutorials to further prepare for the role, while Lawrence gave her country music from the 1930s to listen to. A particularly key performance will occur at a crucial point in the games. "It was so emotional to hear the song, which is an a cappella piece that she sings near the end of the arena sequence," he says. "I think it stunned everybody."

After one of these songs, she delivers a slow, defiant bow to the crowd, a nod to Katniss and proof that some connective tissue exists between the polar-opposite protagonists. "The bow was actually not scripted," Lawrence reveals. "I thought it could be really interesting, as [we] start to develop more history and mythology, if somebody else long before [Katniss] had done that." 

Enjoy the show! 

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes Welcome to The Academy Teaser

For the glory of Panem! A new promotional video for The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes was just released! Have you received your welcome to The Academy? Text 1-717-THG-MKJY to enroll - Available worldwide. Use WhatsApp if you're outside the US and then follow the prompts to join the community. Just make sure you select US as the country to get the +1 and then enter the remaining numbers.  🕊️🐍

Deluxe Hunger Games 4 Book Collection Hardcover UK Edition Box Set Revealed

Check out the gorgeous, brand new, deluxe hardcover collection of The Hunger Games book series from Scholastic UK. This beautiful boxset will be released on October 26th, 2023 in the UK, and is available to pre-order now. 

The USD cost is approximately $89 and they can be shipped to the US for approx $15 shipping fee plus a few dollars exchange, making the total approx $107 at post time.

The cover art is by UK Artist Freya Betts and the design takes inspiration from Tim O’Brien’s iconic mockingjay cover art.

Tim O'Brien designed the US and Canada's original book covers, and Scholastic UK’s iconic "classic" editions in 2012, released the same year the first Hunger Games film hit screens around the world.

To celebrate the release of Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes feature film, Freya Betts has taken the four logos and added a modern twist.

The box set includes The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, Mockingjay and The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes with new covers, foil details, and the box. You can pre-order your copy on Amazon now HERE. 

*As an Amazon Associate I may earn a small amount from qualifying purchases. 

First Official Stills From The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds And Snakes

Rachel Zegler as Lucy Gray Baird & Tom Blyth as Coriolanus Snow in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds And Snakes

Along with the release of the first trailer for The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds And Snakes, we've got a look at our first official stills from the film. Legendary film photographer, Murray Close, is on hand again to capture all of the beautiful still photography throughout the filming of the movie. We always love to see how he captures both the key film and behind the scenes moments. 

Tom Blyth as Coriolanus Snow, and Josh Andrés Rivera as Sejanus Plinth inThe Hunger Games The Ballad of Songbirds And SnakesHunter Schafer as Tigris Snow Official Still from The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes Rachel Zegler as Lucy Gray Baird, Tom Blyth as Coriolanus Snow in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds And Snakes Viola Davis as Dr Gaul in The Ballad of Songbirds and SnakesJason Schwartzman as Lucky Flickerman

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes Trailer Launch Q&A With Director Francis Lawrence and Producer Nina Jacobson

Nina Jacobson and Francis Lawrence by TOM JAMIESON/STR

We were honored to be among a group of select fandom accounts that Lionsgate invited to Las Vegas for an exclusive 3 day trailer launch event for The Hunger Games:The Ballad of Songbirds And Snakes during CinemaCon. This fandom trip of a lifetime included a viewing of the first official trailer the day before anyone else at a private event within The Hunger Games Exhibition, and a Q&A with director Francis Lawence and producer Nina Jacobson. 

This Q&A is a long one, but if you're a huge fan of the books and films there are so many details from Francis and Nina that you won't want to miss.

TV presenter Nikki Novak hosted the Q&A and took our questions afterward.

FRANCIS LAWRENCE: We shot [Ballad] last year in Germany and Poland. Very, very proud of it, and we wanted you guys to be the first ones to see the trailer.

NINA JACOBSON: It's so fun to watch them watch it.

FRANCIS LAWRENCE: I know.

NINA JACOBSON: That was so exciting watching you guys watch it. It was really thrilling.

NIKKI NOVAK: Yeah, we were watching all of you and it must be so rewarding. So first of all, congratulations to both of you. Just wanted to ask, you read Suzanne's book, and what was the vision? Like, how did you sort of go about tackling this new film and bringing in elements of the original, but then making it something completely new?

NINA JACOBSON: Well, I think one of the things that was so exciting about the book was that, on the one hand, it's so deeply steeped in the mythology of the original books and movies, and a story that everybody who's watched it or read it, knows so well.

And on the other hand, you know, Lucy Gray is the polar opposite of Katniss Everdeen. It doesn't feel like it's trying to duplicate. It's sort of striking out, and on one hand, it’s really new ground and a completely different visual language because it's a period movie. It's very different visually, which Francis can speak to. But also, she's such a different character.

And then, to see a young Snow, somebody who we've spent all of these movies fearing and loathing. And to understand who he was, and how he became who he was, was a really rewarding experience in book, and also really thrilling experience to bring it to life as a film.

 

NIKKI NOVAK: Francis, you and I were talking a little bit before we began about you meeting Rachel for the first time and having a four-hour meeting. I mean, it's so obvious. She is the real-life songbird, but why was she the person that you wanted for this film, and what did she bring to this film?

 

FRANCIS LAWRENCE: I mean, you know, one of the things is just that she's one of the most talented young actresses out there right now. But, you know, the character of Lucy Gray is a really tricky one, right? Because she's a mercurial character, right? So she's emotional, but she's also damaged, and she's lived quite a lot more honestly than the character of Snow has. But she also has to be a fantastic singer. And you know, Rachel's a phenomenal singer.

And so, yeah, we sat down and talked about the character and talked about the books and just had a fantastic meeting.

NIKKI NOVAK: And talk about casting Tom in the role. I mean, how many people did you see? And why was he the guy? I mean, you look at him, and he's extraordinary to look at, but he has such a presence. Yeah, I said it. [laugh]

FRANCIS LAWRENCE: [laugh]

NIKKI NOVAK: Thank you. [laugh]

FRANCIS LAWRENCE: No, I mean, we saw a lot of people, I will say. And there were, you know, a few people that sort of piqued our interest, and then, Tom kind of came out of the blue for us, honestly. We didn't really know much about him, didn't know who he was. And he came in, and we saw a reading of his with our casting director that was just great. I mean, he was magnetic, and he's so good at his craft. I mean, you know, he's an English actor. He's a Juilliard graduate. He really loves acting and really studies acting and really cares and really works. But also, there's the resemblance to Donald Sutherland. And so, you know, all those factors combined kind of made him the guy.

I'd also say that there's an element of him that is very controlled, which Snow is, and Donald is, that I liked very much for the role.

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The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes VIP Trailer Launch Event in Las Vegas

We were so honored to be among a group of select fandom accounts that Lionsgate invited to Las Vegas for an exclusive 3 day trailer launch event during CinemaCon. This fandom trip of a lifetime included a viewing of the first official trailer the day before anyone else at a private event within The Hunger Games Exhibition, a Q&A with director Francis Lawence and producer Nina Jacobson, and a hospitality suite with some fantastic merch. This is going to be a LOOOONG post so I’ll make the Q&A its own post HERE. 

First, we were treated to a hospitality suite complete with Academy and Peacekeeper (authentically) costumed attendants. The gift bags in the suite contained Ballad tee shirts and hoodies! The new merch just launched on Lionsgate.com. 

We also got a private tour and the chance to view brand new, never before seen costumes from The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes at The Hunger Games Exhibition within MGM Grand. All of the costumes we viewed at the event are also seen in the new trailer, which was extra exciting! All designed by the one and only Trish Summerville. 

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