Summary
Suzanne Collins has secretly been working on a newThe Hunger Gamesnovel,Sunrise on the Reaping,the fifth installment in the book series followingThe Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,which makes some wonder if Lucy Gray Baird could pop up in the story and subsequent movie adaptation. A few hours following the book announcement, Lionsgate revealed that a film adaptation was also in the works. Of course, many assumed that a movie would followthe release ofSunrise on the Reaping, and now that it’s confirmed, the hype surrounding the upcoming projects is extremely high.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reapingis set to premiere in theaters on August 25, 2025.
The Hunger Gamesfranchise lives on withSunrise on the Reaping, which chroniclesHaymitch Abernathy’s Hunger Games. BeforeHaymitch mentored Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellarkduring the 74th event, he competed in the 50th Hunger Games at the age of 16. His backstory was teased in the original trilogy, but Collins never went too far in depth explaining what happened to Haymitch the year he won (until now). SinceLucy Gray was the most recent and only victor from District 12 during Haymitch’s Games,it’s understandable why some may think she could appear inSunrise on the Reaping.
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
Sunrise on the Reaping
Lucy Gray (Probably) Won’t Be In Sunrise On The Reaping
Sunrise On The Reaping Covers Haymitch’s Hunger Games
Unfortunately,Rachel Zegler’s Lucy Graylikely won’t be inSunrise on the Reaping. As far as the readers know,Lucy Gray was never involved with or mentioned during the 50th Hunger Games(aka the Second Quarter Quell). Her name was never even brought up during the original trilogy. Consequently, Lucy Gray was probably not around for Haymitch’s win, and it wouldn’t make much sense if she were to appear inSunrise on the Reaping.
Meanwhile,Sunrise on the Reapingwill revolve around the year that Haymitch won the 50th Hunger Games, meaning that it will take place 40 years after the events ofThe Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
As the first District 12 victor,Lucy Gray would have been Haymitch’s mentor,which surely would have been discussed in one of the first three books because it’s an important role and a title that defined Haymitch’s character. It would be strange if Lucy Gray was suddenly around during the Second Quarter Quell as it would be a retcon of the previous four novels. Suzanne Collins is a superb writer who doesn’t often make mistakes, so, it seems extremely unlikely Lucy Gray will be inThe Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping(but not completely impossible).
When Lucy Gray’s Hunger Games Took Place Compared To Haymitch’s
Lucy Gray Won The 10th Hunger Games
As depicted inThe Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,Lucy Gray won the 10th Hunger Games. Meanwhile,Sunrise on the Reapingwill revolve around the year that Haymitch won the 50th Hunger Games, meaning thatit will take place 40 years after the events ofThe Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.By taking into account what happened to Lucy Gray at the end of the first prequel and the elongated gap between the two stories, it’s quite improbable that Lucy Gray will be a character inSunrise on the Reaping(the book and the movie adaptation).
Every Song In The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes
The Hunger Games movies have never had a lot of music, but The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes includes songs that are new and familiar to audiences.
The most damning piece of evidence that proves Lucy Gray won’t be a part ofSunrise on the Reapingis her disappearance atthe end ofThe Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. As many will remember, Lucy Gray and Coriolanus Snow planned to run away from District 12 together. However, when Coriolanus accidentally revealed that he killed three people instead of two, Lucy Gray began to distrust him and tried to flee.Coriolanus hunted her in the woods and started shooting sporadically around himbefore returning to District 12 and Panem alone.
It’s unclearwhat happened to Lucy Gray in theHunger Gamesprequel’s vague ending, but there are some options — Coriolanus shot and killed Lucy Gray; she was able to escape but succumbed to the elements (or perhaps a gunshot wound); or Lucy Gray sought refuge in District 13, where she lived out the rest of her days away from Panem. Whatever the case, Volumnia Gaul ensured that the 10th Hunger Games was erased from history and Lucy Gray was forgotten, meaning it wouldn’t make sense if she returned in the upcomingThe Hunger Gamesbook and movie adaptation (even if she survived).
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.
