Sunrise on the Reaping trailer gets Hunger Games' Haymitch surprisingly right

Set 24 years before the events of the first movie, Sunrise on the Reaping tells the story of Katniss' mentor

When it comes to writing about the horrors of war, the dangers of media propaganda, and the power of resistance, Hunger Games series author Suzanne Collins has proven to her readers time and time again that she is not one to be trifled with. Like the books that came before it, Sunrise on the Reaping does not hold back.

Set 24 years before the events that take place in The Hunger Games on the morning of the Quarter Quell, Sunrise on the Reaping tells the story of a much younger and less cynical Haymitch Abernathy. Readers will, of course, recognize Haymitch as Katniss Everdeen’s deeply traumatized, alcoholic mentor from her own time during The Hunger Games.

Not unlike A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes did for Coriolanus Snow, Sunrise on the Reaping helps to fill in the gaps, fleshing out Haymitch’s character and revealing the devastating series of events that turn a bright-eyed, promising young man into the closed-off master manipulator that readers know and love, and was eventually played in the movie adaptation by Woody Harrelson.

Now, Haymitch Abernathy (played by Joseph Zada, who viewers might recognize from We Were Liars) is once again headed to the big screen. Based on the trailer, Sunrise on the Reaping, directed by Francis Lawrence and co-written by Suzanne Collins, looks to be a faithful adaptation of the book that will, no doubt, leave viewers as emotionally drained as the book did.

While it’s unclear whether Woody Harrelson and his questionable blonde wig will be making an appearance as Haymitch in any capacity, there’s plenty for fans to look forward to, including double the number of tributes, with more than one familiar character making an appearance.

President Snow, previously played by the late Donald Sutherland and Tom Blythe, will be embodied Ralph Fiennes (who is no stranger to embodying a villain in a bestselling children's book series). Elle Fanning will be playing style icon and fan favorite, Effie Trinket, who was previously played by Elizabeth Banks, and perhaps in one of the most inspired casting choices in the series. Kieran Culkin will be cutting loose as Caesar Flickerman, who was previously played by a flamboyant Stanley Tucci. Also joining the cast are Glenn Close as Drusilla Sickle, Effie’s predecessor, Whitney Peak as Haymitch’s love interest, Lenore Dove Baird, Mckenna Grace as Maysilee Donner, Maya Hawke as Wiress, and Jesse Plemmons as Plutarch Havensby.

Sunrise on the Reaping releases in theaters on Nov. 20.