Sunrise on the Reapingis the upcoming prequel from author Suzanne Collins set in the world of theHunger Games, and the story is said to follow a younger version of Haymitch Abernathy during his time as a tribute. Very little is known aboutthe story ofSunrise on the Reaping, and fans of the franchise have begun fantasizing wildly about what this narrative could possibly be about.There are countless theories floating around the internet, and some of them are much more believable than others.
The official synopsis ofSunrise of the Reapingconfirms both that Haymitch will be the protagonist of the story, and thatmost of the narrative will take place during the 50th annual Hunger Games competition. However, given the enormous success of theHunger Gamesseries and its recent prequelThe Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, it’s unlikely that Collins would return to this universe just to retell Katniss’ story with another character. There’s bound to be a twist thatbreaks theHunger Gamesmovie tradition, and TikTok user@emhaheehas a plausible theory.
This Brilliant Theory Could Reveal The True Meaning Of Sunrise On The Reaping’s Title
One TikTok User Has A Smart Idea For The Book
This TikTok suggests thatSunrise on the Reapingwon’t simply take place during Haymitch’s time in the Hunger Games, but rather in the subsequent years as he’s reflecting on his experiences and learning to overcome the trauma that he’s faced. This would be a fascinating way of subverting expectations and providing readers with a completely new story in this universe; butit also stays true to the character’s journeyand leads him towards the fate that he’s destined for in the original trilogy. If this theory is correct,Sunrise on the Reapingcould have some major time jumps.
The theory comes as a result of Suzanne Collins’ use of time jumpsinThe Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, which allowed her to tell a more sweeping narrative that spanned several years and drifted away from the typicalHunger Gamesformula. The author’s decision tostay away from Katniss’ story inSunrise on the Reapingalso suggests that she’s more interested in exploring Haymitch’s character from a more objective standpoint, and flash-forwards would be an entirely new way of tackling that.
Recasting Snow For Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping: 10 Actors Who Could Play Him
President Snow will likely be recast for Sunrise on the Reaping, showing another era of Snow’s rise to power in Panem during the 50th Hunger Games.
This theory also helps explain the title of the story:Sunrise on the Reapingcould refer to the multiple sunrises that Haymitch experiences as the day of the Reaping rolls around each year, jumping forward in time to follow his character as the event brings back memories of his time in the arena. This kind of non-linear storytelling would be really interesting to see play out on the page, and it would certainly give this book a unique selling point to stand out from the others.
Sunrise On The Reaping’s Title Theory Fits With Haymitch’s Hunger Games Story
The Title Could Be Referring To Multiple Reapings
Haymitch’s character in theHunger Gamestrilogy is among the most interesting and likable of the entire crowd.He’s both a mentor figure and a trusted friend to Katniss, and much of his determination to tear down President Snow’s corrupt system comes from the trauma that he personally experienced in the games. He’s clearly still affected by his own time in the arena, andSunrise on the Reapingis the perfect opportunity to explore why.
If this theory turns out to be true, and the prequel follows Haymitch across several different Reapings following his own, it would be a perfect way to display how permanently he’s been changed by his own experiences.It would be a very reflective, emotional storythat explains why his character is so cynical and misanthropic in theHunger Gamestrilogy, giving credence to his motivations against President Snow. Fans of the franchise have already begun speculatingwho could play Haymitch in theSunrise on the Reapingmovie, but if there are many time jumps, it may prove even more difficult.
Haymitch’s Story Would Be Even More Heartbreaking With This Title Reveal
The Twist Would Add A New Dimension To His Character
Haymitch has always been a likable character in theHunger Gamestrilogy, despite his initial coldness towards Katniss and Peeta - butSunrise on the Reapinghas the opportunity to make his story even more emotional and heartbreaking.The existing books have done a great job of exploring how frightening and intense the Hunger Games can bein the moment, but there’s been little explanation of the long-term effects of such a traumatic experience. Haymitch’s character is the only evident example of this, and this prequel should take that in its stride and turn it into the story’s main focus.
So far,all the books in this franchise have adopted completely different stylesand even veered into different genres:The Hunger Gamesis an action-packed adventure,Catching Fireis more of a political thriller, andMockingjayleans heavily into the dystopian elements of the story.The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakesis a more character-driven prequel with aspects of romance, which separates it even further. Therefore,Sunrise on the Reapingneeds its own unique style to maintain this trend, and a non-linear psychological drama seems like the perfect way to go.
This Theory Opens The Door For Hunger Games Cameos In The Prequel
There Would Be Space For The Original Cast To Return
Although it’s not necessary forSunrise on the Reapingto include any preexisting characters (except for Haymitch), it could certainly enhance the story if Collins decides to bring back some familiar faces. This theory leans into that possibility, suggesting that the time jumps could even continue up to the 74th Hunger Games, where Haymitch meets Katniss and Peeta for the first time.This would create a full-circle narrativethat fills in all the blanks from the original trilogy, opening the door for some of the original cast to make appearances again.
There are manytheories aboutSunrise on the Reaping, but this one definitely ranks among the most exciting. Not only would it offer a completely new perspective on Haymitch’s story, but it could also be the perfect opportunity to pay off long-term fans of the franchise with some exciting cameos and returning cast members. It’s much smarter and more effective than an unnecessary sequel, as it gives a new perspective on events that have already been discussed, while keeping the door open for new revelations along the way.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping
Cast
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping explores the dystopian world of Panem 24 years prior to Katniss Everdeen’s story. This prequel focuses on the reaping of the 50th Hunger Games, known as the Second Quarter Quell, unveiling the origins of crucial events and traditions in the series.
