The newly-announced franchise prequel movie, The Hunter Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, has the opportunity to formally introduce a District 12 character important to Katniss Everdeen’s story. Following the success of the original Hunger Games movies and its 2023 prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, the franchise is expanding as it explores another deadly Hunger Games long before Katniss and Peeta’s time. Suzanne Collins and Lionsgate announced on June 6 that The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping book will be released in 2025, followed by a film adaptation in 2026.

It’s been confirmed that Sunrise on the Reaping’s timeline begins 24 years before the original Hunger Games movie, meaning the prequel will follow the Second Quarter Quell/50th Hunger Games. This chosen Hunger Games isn’t random, as it happens to be the deadly event won by District 12 tribute and, later, mentor Haymitch Abernathy. After Lucy Gray Baird’s 10th Hunger Games and Katniss and Peeta’s 74th and 75th Hunger Games, Haymitch’s prequel depicts the fourth and last Games won by a District 12 tribute. Consequently, it may be the franchise’s final time giving an intimate look at District 12 at another point in Panem’s history.

Haymitch’s The Hunger Games Prequel Movie Can Formally Introduce Katniss’ Dad

Katniss’ father is still alive during Haymitch’s prequel

For the first time, it seems like there’s a very realistic chance that The Hunger Games can formally introduce Katniss Everdeen’s father. The original movie and book revealed that her father died in a mining explosion when she was 11 years old, so Mr. Everdeen was only seen in photographs and brief, unspoken flashbacks to the fatal accident. Considering Katniss is 16 in the original Hunger Games and Haymitch’s prequel movie is set 24 years before, the film will take place eight years before Katniss is born. This means that Katniss’ parents are still quite young in the upcoming prequel, and could even interact with young Haymitch.

Additionally, one mystery that was never answered throughout The Hunger Games’ original book trilogy and subsequent movies was the name of Katniss and Primrose Everdeen’s father. If a young version of Katniss’ father appears in Haymitch’s long-awaited Hunger Games prequel, the franchise can finally give an answer about what his name is, which could very well have botanical origins given Katniss and Prim’s names. With Haymitch’s prequel taking place 24 years before The Hunger Games, it’s also possible that the upcoming movie can reveal Katniss’ grandparents from the Everdeen side and any uncles or aunts she may have had.

How Long Before The Original Hunger Games Movie Katniss’ Dad Died

The mine explosion happened several years before the 74th Hunger Games

Since it was revealed that he was killed when she was only 11 years old, Katniss’ dad died five years before The Hunger Games’ original movie. Therefore, Katniss and Prim’s dad doesn’t die until approximately 19 years after Haymitch wins the 50th Hunger Games. Both Haymitch and Mr. Everdeen lived in District 12 all their lives, so they would have spent 19 years in the same district before the latter’s death. This means that Katniss’ dad could play a supporting role in Sunrise on the Reaping as it follows Haymitch’s journey in District 12 both before and after winning the Second Quarter Quell.

Katniss’ parents aren’t much older than Haymitch during the timeline of the Hunger Games’ upcoming prequel, so it’s likely that they already knew each other before the Games or ran into each other after Haymitch returned to District 12. It’s implied that Haymitch was already familiar with Katniss’ mother before Katniss volunteered in The Hunger Games’ main series, suggesting that he would at least know of her father. District 12 is described as an extremely small town in the Hunger Games franchise, so even if they weren’t “friends,” it’s hard to believe that Haymitch wouldn’t have at least had passing interactions with the Everdeens.

Additionally, Haymitch was only 16 years old when he was chosen in the 50th Hunger Games, so he may have even gone to school with Katniss’ father before the bloody Second Quarter Quell. Haymitch is 40 years old in the first Hunger Games movie, and it’s implied that Katniss’ mother is only 41 years old during that timeline, as she was around 17 when the 50th Hunger Games happened. Since Haymitch and Katniss’ father grew up in the Seam together as well, it’s hard to believe that younger versions of Katniss’ father and mother wouldn’t appear interacting with teenage Haymitch in Sunrise on the Reaping.

Katniss’ Parents Likely Had Their Names In The Reaping During Haymitch’s Hunger Games

Katniss’ mother was around 17 years old during the 50th Hunger Games

If there’s one scene that can be expected in Sunrise on the Reaping before the 50th Hunger Games actually commences, it’s the reaping in District 12. Haymitch was only 16 when his name was drawn, so his name was already in there several times. There’s no exact confirmation on when Katniss’ mother and father were born, but it is known that Mrs. Everdeen was around 17 years old when her best friend, Maysilee Donner, was reaped for the 50th Hunger Games alongside Haymitch Abernathy – meaning she’ll be at the reaping in The Hunger Games’ new prequel.

While Katniss’ mother certainly had her name in the bowl a few times, it’s also likely that her father did if he was similarly about 17 or 18 years old during the Second Quarter Quell. The reaping would therefore be a more subtle way for Haymitch’s prequel to introduce Katniss’ young mother and father. Whether Haymitch walks into the reaping with Katniss’ father or ends up standing near him, this would be a symbolic way of connecting the tragic symmetry of Haymitch and the Everdeen family’s stories long before Katniss volunteers as tribute.

Haymitch’s Prequel Movie Can Solve Another Big Everdeen Family Mystery

Haymitch’s prequel can confirm or debunk a recent Everdeen family theory

Not only does Sunrise on the Reaping’s timeline allow for characters from the original movie series to appear as younger versions of themselves, but it also makes room for figures from The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes to appear as older versions. While Lucy Gray disappeared in The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes’ ending, there are plenty of theories that she survived and kept in contact with those in the Covey who remained in District 12. Furthermore, there are even theories that Katniss Everdeen descends from the Covey, specifically that the mother of Katniss’ father could be Maude Ivory, Lucy Gray’s cousin.

Haymitch’s Hunger Games prequel will take place about 40 years after The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, so Lucy Gray will be 56 while Maude Ivory will be around 48–49 years old. The timeline certainly fits for Maude Ivory to potentially be Katniss Everdeen’s grandmother, so The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping will hopefully give a more solid answer regarding Katniss’ potential familial link to the Covey. It’s unlikely that Lucy Gray Baird will return given her uncertain fate in the franchise, but the success of the 2023 prequel film indicates Haymitch’s story will at least include some references to the Covey in District 12.