Sunrise on the Reaping Premiere Buzz Builds Ahead of November Release

The campaign for The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping moved into its final stretch with ticket sales and a return from one of the franchise's original stars. On October 26, Bleeding Cool reported that Lionsgate had set October 28 as the ticket sales launch.

The sixth film in the series brings a new cast into familiar roles. Elle Fanning plays fashion student Effie Trinket, according to Express & Star, while Joseph Zada plays Haymitch, as reported by Variety Movies.

On October 27, /Film reported that the relationship between Haymitch and Maysilee contains secrets known only to the actors and director Francis Lawrence. That offered an early indication of a central relationship the film was keeping partly under wraps.

On October 28, Jennifer Lawrence confirmed she would reprise Katniss Everdeen and had reunited with Josh Hutcherson and Woody Harrelson. "It was so emotional," she said, according to Deadline Hollywood.

The London screening also put the new cast in the spotlight. On October 28, Express & Star covered Fanning's ballet music box-inspired headpiece, while Vogue described her look as embracing Effie Trinket's extravagant style.

Early reactions followed on October 28 and 29. /Film described the critical response as pointing toward another potential hit for the franchise. Those first impressions are encouraging, but they are not box office results.

On October 29, Variety Movies reported an endorsement from Elizabeth Banks, who played Effie Trinket in the first four films. Banks called the film "amazing" and Zada a "perfect" Haymitch. The same day, Deadline Hollywood reported opening forecasts starting at $60 million.

The latest development is a 3D distribution partnership. On November 2, IndieWire Movies reported that Lionsgate and Meta would bring the film to theaters in 3D and to Meta's new VR glasses. The companies also plan to collaborate on future titles for the glasses, which are due on shelves next spring.

The latest release reporting from The Hollywood Reporter puts the theatrical opening on November 20, with the VR release following afterward. There is a discrepancy in the supplied coverage: an October 29 report from The Hollywood Reporter listed November 30 instead.

The next test is whether the positive early response translates into ticket sales when the film opens. The $60 million-plus opening figure reported by Deadline Hollywood remains a forecast, not an earned total.

The VR release is a separate step after theaters. The Hollywood Reporter confirms that order, but the supplied coverage does not give a specific date for the film's arrival on the glasses.