The Hunger Games' New Movie Must Avoid Revealing District 12's Biggest Missing Character

Suzanne Collins' next book in The Hunger Games franchise, Sunrise on the Reaping, will take place during the Second Quarter Quell, when many familiar characters were teenagers, including one who has yet to be seen. The film series began in 2012 when Lionsgate adapted Collins' first novel for the big screen, and it soon took the world by storm. More than a decade later, Collins has written five Hunger Games books, all of which have been or will be adapted into movies.

Sunrise on the Reaping (the book) will be released on March 18, 2025, while The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (the film adaptation) is scheduled to premiere on November 20, 2026.

As mentioned above, Collins' next venture, Sunrise on the Reaping, revolves around the events of the 50th Hunger Games, aka the Second Quarter Quell. The story is told from Haymitch Abernathy's point of view, seeing as he is one of the four District 12 tributes in the book. Yes, the 50th Hunger Games has twice the number of tributes. It falls on a Quarter Quell, which means it has to have a theme for the "special occasion." However, Haymitch isn't the only familiar character who lived in District 12 at that time, meaning some others might appear.

The Problem With Sunrise On The Reaping Introducing Katniss Everdeen's Father From The Hunger Games

Mr. Everdeen Is Alive During The 50th Hunger Games

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Katniss Everdeen's parents are around Haymitch's age in Sunrise on the Reaping, meaning they might be a part of the story. While Mrs. Everdeen is in the original trilogy, Mr. Everdeen has never appeared. He died in a coal mine explosion a few years before Katniss volunteered for Prim at District 12's reaping for the 74th Hunger Games. So, the audience has heard Katniss talk about her father. However, he has never been a fully fledged character in any book or movie, and that shouldn't change in Sunrise on the Reaping.

Hunger Games Book Timeline Book Release Date Movie Release Date The Hunger Games 74th Hunger Games September 14, 2008 March 23, 2012 Catching Fire 75th Hunger Games (Third Quarter Quell) September 1, 2009 November 22, 2013 Mockingjay The Second Rebellion August 24, 2010 Part 1: November 21, 2014 Part 2: November 20, 2015 The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes 10th Hunger Games May 19, 2020 November 17, 2023 Sunrise on the Reaping 50th Hunger Games (Second Quarter Quell) March 18, 2025 November 20, 2026

Katniss' father was someone she idolized as he taught her almost everything she knew, making him almost like a mythical figure to the readers/viewers. Consequently, it will be difficult for the real version of Mr. Everdeen to live up to the vision everyone has of him in their head. The Hunger Games shouldn't ruin his character, and the franchise can do so by avoiding introducing Katniss' father in Sunrise on the Reaping.

Related 8 Things I Learned Watching The Hunger Games Movies For The First Time In 2024 Watching the Hunger Games movies for the first time in 2024 with some context of the saga that is now back with prequels makes for a fun experience.

How The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping Can Include Katniss' Father

Sunrise On The Reaping Will Likely Feature The Younger Versions Of Many Familiar Characters

Given that Mr. Everdeen is a teenager during the Second Quarter Quell, he should be in the crowd when Haymitch is chosen to represent District 12 at the reaping. So, Sunrise on the Reaping could feature Katniss' father making a cameo. Her mother will likely be a side character in the prequel since she was close to one of the District 12 tributes, Maysilee Donner. However, Mr. Everdeen doesn't need to have a big role. The upcoming Hunger Games movie can simply show Katniss' father at the reaping as a nod to the viewers and to remind them of his existence.