Summary
The Hunger Gamesfranchise is alive and well because, after taking a 10-year hiatus, Suzanne Collins has returned to writingHunger Gamesbooks, with the next one revolving around Haymitch Abernathy’s Games, which should feature one notable victor other than Lucy Gray Baird.Sunrise on the Reapingfollows in the footsteps ofThe Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,the firstHunger Gamesprequel that follows a young President Snow and the 10th Hunger Games.The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakeswas published in 2020, with the movie adaptation premiering in 2023. Now, fans have another prequel to look forward to.
Sunrise on the Reapingis set during the 50th Hunger Games,aka the Second Quarter Quell. To celebrate the Quell, the Capitol instructs the districts to send double the number of tributes, meaning four from each district. Haymitch, who is 16 years old at the time, is one of the four chosen from District 12 and one of the 48 children who are forced to kill one another in an arena. While Haymitch is likely the protagonist and narrator ofSunrise on the Reaping,othercharacters can still return in theHunger Gamesprequel.
The Hunger Games' New Prequel Can Finally Introduce Young Mags At Haymitch’s Games
Mags Won The 11th Hunger Games
Of course, many speculate whetherLucy Gray will be inSunrise on the Reaping(the answer is almost definitely no). However, the more intriguing question revolves around Mags Flanagan, the 11th Hunger Games winner from District 4. Since she became a victor prior to the events of the upcomingHunger Gamesprequel, it stands to reason thatMags will serve as one of the District 4 mentors inSunrise on the Reaping.Given she isn’t Haymitch’s mentor, Mags probably won’t be a significant character, but she can still be a part of the story, even if her appearance is brief.
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
Sunrise on the Reaping
August 16, 2025
August 09, 2025
Catching Fireestablishes that Haymitch and Mags have a bond of some sort, likely because they were both mentors for decades. So, at some point in time,Haymitch becomes acquainted with Mags.Perhaps they meet for the first time in the days leading up to the Second Quarter Quell, and fans can finally meet a younger version of Mags inSunrise on the Reaping.Whatever the case, Mags is around whenHaymitch wins the 50th Hunger Games.
How Old Mags Will Be In Sunrise On The Reaping (& How Long After Her Hunger Games)
Sunrise On The Reaping Depicts The 50th Hunger Games
Mags won the 11th Hunger Gameswhen she was 16 (just like Haymitch). As a result,the District 4 victor should be around 55 years old during the 50th Hunger Games,or the Second Quarter Quell, as Haymitch’s win against 47 other tributes transpires 39 years after Mags' Games. Mags will be well-trained at mentoring other tributes as she is likely one of the oldest living victors inSunrise on the Reaping(sinceLucy Gray Baird’s whereabouts are unknown afterThe Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes).
If Mags is a character inSunrise on the Reaping’s story, her role will be very different from her part inCatching Fire.
Unlike her role inCatching Fire,Mags may be able to speak in the upcoming prequel (if she appears).It’s unclear when Mags' stroke happens, which results in her mumbled speech, So, it’s possible that she can speak perfectly fine inSunrise on the Reaping.Only time will tell if Mags comes across Haymitch during the nextHunger Gamesprequel, though.
One Catching Fire Line Makes Me Desperate For This Hunger Games Story To Be Told
Sunrise on the Reaping will explore the second Quarter Quell, but a throwaway line from Catching Fire makes me want a book about the first one more.
Mags Will Be Completely Different In Sunrise On The Reaping Than Catching Fire
Mags Is 24 Years Younger
If Mags is a character inSunrise on the Reaping’s story, her role will be very different from her part inCatching Fire.She is 24 years younger during the Second Quarter Quell, and, as mentioned above, Mags might not have had her stroke yet, meaning she will be able to talk.Mags also hasn’t met Finnick yet.
Mags and Finnick’s relationship is a major part of her story inCatching Fire.However,Finnick wasn’t born until the year after the 50th Hunger Gamesas he won the 65th Games at 14 years old. Perhaps another young tribute can take Finnick’s place inSunrise on the Reaping, but it won’t be the same. Plus, Lynn Cohen (who died in 2020) plays Mags in the 2013 movieThe Hunger Games: Catching Fireand a younger actress must portray the victor in the newHunger Gamesfilm.
The Hunger Games
The Hunger Games is a multi-movie franchise starring Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen. The films are based on the young adult dystopian book series by author Suzanne Collins. The first film was released in 2012, followed by Catching Fire in 2013, Mockingjay Part 1 in 2014, and Mockingjay Part 2 in 2015. In 2023, the fifth film in the series was released, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
