Get Up To Speed On The History Of The Hunger Games Ahead Of Sunshine On The Reaping

Lionsgate has dropped a 16 minute recap video ahead of the next Hunger Games prequel.

I’m in the weird position of generally digging what The Hunger Games as a whole does while never really feeling like revisiting the films (or reading the books – I think that ship has sailed for good or ill). So, this latest missive from the good marketing bods at Lionsgate is perfect for me and my ilk – a 16 minute history of the whole filmic franchise to date, which gives you the Greatest Hits tour without getting bogged down in a world where animals have names like “Jackersnacks” or something. That might be why I’ve never revisited, come to think of it; the more YA elements take me out of it.

But, as an added bonus, the very last minute or so gives us a quick look at the next film in the franchise, The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping, pretty much showing us who’s playing who by cutting between the old actors and the new. It’s a little melancholy to see the late, legendary Philip Seymour Hoffman again, I’ll tell ya.

The Hunger Games Franchise Recap

What’s the plot?

Set 24 years before The Hunger Games, Sunrise On The Reaping takes us back to the 50th Games, the Second Quarter Quell, where we see how a young Haymitch Abernathy, forced to compete, gets his goddamn soul ripped out to become the bitter, Woody Harrelson-played alcoholic we met in the original film.

Who’s in it?

• Joseph Zada as Haymitch Abernathy.
• Mckenna Grace as Maysilee Donner, a tribute from District 12.
• Ben Wang as Wyatt Callow, a tribute from District 12.
• Molly McCann as Louella McCoy, a tribute from District 12.
• Iona Bell as Lou Lou, Louella’s Capitol-assigned lookalike.
• Percy Daggs IV as Ampert Latier, a tribute from District 3.
• Jhaleil Swaby as Panache Barker, a tribute from District 1.
• Laura Marcus as Silka Sharp, a tribute from District 1.
• Sky Frances as Maritte, a tribute from District 4.
• Rada Rae as Wellie, a tribute from District 6.
• Tatyana Muzondo as Ringina, a tribute from District 7.
• Alina Reid as Kerna, a tribute from District 9.
• Salimou Thiam as Clayton, a tribute from District 9.
• John Doeble as Buck, a tribute from District 10.
• Kaine Buffonge as Hull, a tribute from District 11.
• Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee.
• Ralph Fiennes as President Coriolanus Snow.
• Glenn Close as Drusilla Sickle, a Capitol chaperone for the District 12 tributes.
• Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman, the host of the Hunger Games.
• Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket, a Capitol stylist.
• Billy Porter as Magno Stift, a Capitol stylist.
• Iris Apatow as Proserpina Trinket.
• Edvin Ryding as Vitus.
• Sandra Förster as Hersilia.
• Jax Guerrero as Tibby.
• Maya Hawke as Wiress, victor of the 49th Hunger Games.
• Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Beetee Latier, victor of the 34th Hunger Games.
• Lili Taylor as Mags Flanagan, victor of the 11th Hunger Games.

Plus, Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson are back as Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark.

When’s it out?

The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping hits Australian cinemas on November 19.