Lionsgate has officially kicked off production for its upcoming prequel, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, with the announcement that actors Iris Apatow and Edvin Ryding have joined the star-studded ensemble. The film, based on the 2025 novel by Suzanne Collins, is scheduled to be released worldwide on November 20, 2026.
Apatow and Ryding will portray Proserpina and Vitus, two Capitol University students assigned to assist the District 12 Tributes as part of their prep team. Their roles will offer a fresh perspective on the Capitol’s youth and their involvement in the Games — providing context to Panem’s deep class divide and political structure.
Star-Studded Cast Anchors Prequel Set 24 Years Before Katniss
The prequel brings together an ensemble of Hollywood veterans and rising talent. Confirmed cast members include:
- Glenn Close
- Kieran Culkin
- Elle Fanning
- Ralph Fiennes
- Kelvin Harrison Jr.
- Maya Hawke
- Jesse Plemons
- Billy Porter
- Lili Taylor
They’ll join younger stars like Joseph Zada, Whitney Peak, Mckenna Grace, and Ben Wang, who are set to bring a fresh dynamic to the storyline set decades before Katniss Everdeen’s rebellion.
Film Set During the Second Quarter Quell
The movie takes place 24 years before the original Hunger Games trilogy, on the morning of the 50th Hunger Games — also known as the Second Quarter Quell. This specific event is one of the darkest in Panem’s history, where twice the number of tributes were selected from each district as punishment.
The film adaptation is based on Suzanne Collins’ newest novel, which debuted on March 18, 2025, and sold 1.5 million copies worldwide in its first week. It currently remains #1 on Amazon, USA Today, and the New York Times bestseller lists.
Creative Team Returns to Expand the Franchise
The film will be directed by Francis Lawrence, who helmed several prior Hunger Games films, ensuring continuity in tone and vision. The screenplay is being penned by Billy Ray, known for his work on Captain Phillips and Shattered Glass.
The production team includes:
- Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson (Color Force)
- Francis Lawrence (also a producer)
- Cameron MacConomy (Executive Producer)
- Meredith Wieck and Scott O’Brien, overseeing the project for Lionsgate
- Robert Melnik, who handled casting negotiations
International Distribution Secured from Cannes
Following its strong presence at the 2025 Cannes Film Market, Lionsgate secured global distribution partners to bring the film to audiences around the world. Confirmed distributors include:
- Leonine (Germany)
- Metropolitan FilmExport (France)
- Nordisk Film (Scandinavia)
- Belga Films (Benelux region)
These partnerships highlight the film’s anticipated international success, following in the footsteps of the original franchise which grossed over $3.3 billion globally.
Iris Apatow and Edvin Ryding: A Look at Their Careers
Iris Apatow, daughter of director Judd Apatow, continues building her own path in entertainment. She is currently filming for Season 3 of Hulu’s “Tell Me Lies” and recently appeared in Netflix’s “Unstable” and “Young Werther.” She is also set to star in “Ballerina Overdrive.” She is represented by UTA, Sugar23, and Ziffren Brittenham.
Edvin Ryding, best known for his breakout role as Prince Wilhelm in the Netflix series “Young Royals”, recently appeared in Danny Boyle’s “28 Years Later.” He is represented by CAA and AgentFirman Planthaber Kildén Mandic Boström.
Franchise Expanding to Stage with London Production
In addition to the upcoming film, The Hunger Games universe is expanding into live theater. A stage play adaptation by Olivier Award-winning playwright Conor McPherson is set to premiere in London’s West End in October 2025, bringing the dystopian world of Panem to the stage for the first time.
Conclusion
With production now underway and an internationally recognized cast onboard, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is poised to deliver another unforgettable installment in the franchise. The combination of experienced filmmakers, new faces, and global fan anticipation suggests the prequel could become one of the biggest cinematic events of 2026.
As fans count down the days to its release, this fresh look at the origins of the Games promises to deepen the mythology and moral complexity of the world Suzanne Collins created.
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