Elizabeth Banks Has Seen The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, Calls It Amazing
The former Effie Trinket praised Joseph Zada's young Haymitch and the prequel's new cast in a Variety interview at the Airbnb.org Gala in Los Angeles.
Elizabeth Banks has already watched The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, and she came away impressed. The actress, who played Effie Trinket in the original Hunger Games films, told Variety that the prequel is amazing, according to comingsoon.net.
She also singled out Joseph Zada, who plays a young Haymitch Abernathy in the film. Banks compared his performance favorably to Woody Harrelson, who originated the role of Haymitch in the earlier movies.
Banks added that she is excited about the new cast members stepping into the franchise's roles. Elle Fanning takes over as Effie Trinket in the prequel.
She made the comments in an interview with Variety at the Airbnb.org Gala in Los Angeles on Wednesday, October 28, 2026.
Banks played Effie Trinket in the first four Hunger Games movies, released between 2012 and 2015. The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is based on Suzanne Collins' 2025 novel of the same name and is directed by Francis Lawrence.
The film opens in theaters on November 20, 2026.
Quick answers
When does The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping come out?
It is scheduled to be released in theaters on November 20, 2026.
Who plays young Haymitch in the prequel?
Joseph Zada plays young Haymitch Abernathy, a role Woody Harrelson played in the earlier films.
Who is directing The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping?
Francis Lawrence, who also directed earlier Hunger Games films, directs the prequel.