Has the first Sunrise on the Reaping trailer teased Woody Harrelsons return? Not quite its actually the ultimate Hunger Games Easter egg

Date:
Fri, 21 Nov 2025 12:20:09 +0000

Description:
Blink and you'll miss it, but the new trailer for Sunrise on the Reaping does feature Woody Harrelson. However, this doesn't mean the return of the
original Hunger Games actor.

FULL STORY

At what feels like breakneck speed, we've already got our first trailer for
the new Hunger Games movie, Sunrise on the Reaping . Author Suzanne Collins' new novel was only released in March of this year, but the film adaptation is already set to hit screens on November 20, 2026.

Perhaps it's because of this speed that basically every detail we pictured in our heads while reading the book has perfectly come to life in the trailer. Sunrise on the Reaping will follow the second Quarter Quell.

Set before the original Hunger Games movies but after the events of The
Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes , we've got an entirely new cast playing for their survival. While big names like Jesse Plemons, Ralph Fiennes and Elle Fanning play the younger versions of characters we've seen before, newcomer Joseph Zada is taking on the role of Haymitch.

But if you listen closely to the end of the trailer for Sunrise on the
Reaping (which you can catch up with below), you'll hear a familiar voice. Harrelson is clearly heard saying "I think these games are gonna be
different," which has understandably fueled the rumor mill Harrelson,
Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson have all allegedly been contracted for two
filming days for the film.

However, I think it's merely a clever marketing hoodwink by Lionsgate to get
us to believe this is the case. We've still got no idea if the rumors are
true, but if they are, it's nothing to do with the new trailer.

Alas, we have seen this line before more specifically, it's something Harrelson's version of Haymitch says in the second Hunger Games movie,
Catching Fire . It's word-for-word the same, meaning no new scenes have been filmed with Harrelson... that we know of.

If anything, the most likely outcome is that Sunrise on the Reaping will use recycled Haymitch scenes from the original Hunger Games movies. Not only is
it cheaper for Lionsgate to use, but scenes will be a more accurate segue
into the Haymitch we were first introduced to (because... that was the
Haymitch we were introduced to).

My hunch tells me our original cast have all moved on from their Hunger Games days, and would be unlikely to want to re-enter the world they left behind a decade ago. I'd love nothing more than to be proved wrong, and if I am, I'm guessing we won't find out until the movie's opening weekend next year.

I don't think cameos are what we should be focused on, though. The incredible casting, attention to detail and just getting a new Hunger Games installment
is enough excitement to last me for another 12 months, and I have no doubt
that Sunrise on the Reaping is going to exceed our expectations.

If Harrelson wants to come along for the ride, great. But if he doesn't,
we've still got a strong contender for the best film of 2026.

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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/streaming/entertainment/has-the-first-sunrise-on-the -reaping-trailer-teased-woody-harrelsons-return-not-quite-its-actually-the-ult imate-hunger-games-easter-egg

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