May the Odds Be Ever in Your Favour
By Aloyna Golovanyova
May the odds be ever in your favour – as fans often say – because tickets for the new movie are officially on
sale. The Hunger Games universe is expanding once again following yet another success for Suzanne
Collins’ new prequel, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. The movie is set to hit theatres on 20
November this year. As the countdown to its release draws closer, fans are filled with excitement over the
red-carpet fan events and world tour, exclusive early screenings and high pre-sales.
The dystopian book hasn’t just brought nostalgia to its readers; it’s also brought attention to the narrative
weight of its protagonist. The story is set 24 years before the events of the first Hunger Games book and
Katniss Everdeen’s volunteering to compete in the Hunger Games. Sunrise on the Reaping follows the story
of a young Haymitch Abernathy as he is reaped for the Second Quarter Quell, the 50th Annual Hunger
Games. Because it is a Quarter Quell, the Capitol doubles the number of tributes: 48 young citizens are
forced to survive and compete to the death in a deadly arena, instead of the standard 24 tributes. For years,
fans have expressed their love and interest in Haymitch’s story and what made him the way he is during the
years of Katniss Everdeen’s Games. Reading and watching his devastating and heartbreaking backstory have
set expectations for one of the most emotionally demanding and best films in the franchise.
The rush began when the tickets went on sale. Early bookers have been treated to various incentives
designed to entice not only devoted fans but also anyone who spots the posters outside and inside cinemas.
These include collectible print bundles, discounted franchise box sets and a soundtrack playlist. Through
this, Lionsgate, the film studio producing the Hunger Games movies, demonstrates its dedication to the fans
through its marketing. The pre-sale tickets have already suggested that the movie has the potential to achieve
the highest box-office earnings of the franchise, although it is still quite hard to judge as the movie hasn’t
been released yet.
To celebrate the release, studio executives and their partners held high-profile fan events. One of these
events took place in Paris, France, during Paris Fashion Week, featuring an exclusive costume installation at
the Musée Rodin. Fans and fashion entrepreneurs were invited to a dinner and given a special look at iconic
outfits from the Hunger Games movies. The event featured special appearances by stars Joseph Zada (who
plays Haymitch Abernathy) and McKenna Grace (who plays Maysilee Donner). Meanwhile, in the UK, the
excitement centred on a special red-carpet fan screening during the ongoing world tour, hosted at Westfield
London. This event offered fans rare access to the stars, along with director Francis Lawrence, on the red
carpet in their iconic looks before the movie itself.
Following the success of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, expectations for Francis Lawrence and the
team are exceptionally high. Audiences are looking for a very accurate and faithful adaptation of Collins’
writing, focusing on arena action coupled with political and revolutionary commentary on propaganda,
control and hope for a better future. Following the fan screening, people have been praising the movie,
suggesting it has the potential to be the best film in the franchise, with the potential return of the original
cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Woody Harrelson.
So, if you want to see the action of defiance against the government while experiencing a heartbreaking fight
against control and the protection of loved ones, get your tickets secured and be ready to enter the arena.