UMD students are eagerly anticipating the release of “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping” over Thanksgiving break.
The movie hits theaters on Nov. 20. It is the prequel to “The Hunger Games” trilogy, following Katniss and Peeta’s mentor, Haymitch Abernathy.
The movie is set 24 years before the original trilogy. It will show Abernathy’s backstory and experience as a tribute in the 50th hunger games.
These games are unique, as they are a quarter quell, which happens every 25 years. The twist for the 50th games was that there were 48 tributes competing in the hunger games instead of 24.
The franchise has fans around the world, including here in College Park. UMD students are planning to watch the movie.
“I love ‘The Hunger Games’ and I’ve watched all the movies multiple times and I’m really excited to see it on opening day,” said Evie Robinson, sophomore journalism major.
Other students are excited to watch as well.
“I love [The Hunger Games]. I’m really excited for the new movie,” said Naomi Becker, a freshman biochemistry major.
The cast includes Joseph Zada as Abernathy, McKenna Grace as Maysilee Donner and Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket.
“It does have a pretty stacked cast in terms of actors,” said Alicia Colegrove, a sophomore journalism major.
“The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping” has been promoted through trailers, interviews, a global press tour and TikTok edits. Lionsgate, the company producing and marketing the movie, has been releasing edits on TikTok, similar to fan edits.
“I really like how the organization, Lionsgate, that produced the movie is making edits on TikTok. I think that’s really interesting because they obviously have more access to the movie than fans do,” said Robinson. “And I think they’ve done a really good job promoting it, and I’m excited to see it.”
Ticket sales begin online on Oct. 28.