NOTE: Tracking for ‘Sunrise on the Reaping’ is now at $120M opening weekend — this film is going to be a monster.
Yesterday, I mentioned that “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping” was eyeing a potential $100 million domestic opening, based on presales. A few hours later, the social media embargo lifted for the film, and the early reactions have been glowing.
Of course, we all know the rule: take these reactions with a grain of salt rather than treating them as gospel. Still, I will say that the film tested like gangbusters earlier this year, and Lionsgate clearly has confidence in the project, given that it is allowing early reactions to hit social media more than three weeks before the film’s release.
This is a prequel, taking us back 24 years before the original "Hunger Games" and starting on the morning of the reaping for the 50th Games. That means a young Haymitch, played by Joseph Zada, and an impressive supporting cast that includes Ralph Fiennes, Elle Fanning, Jesse Plemons, Kieran Culkin, Maya Hawke, Glenn Close, Mckenna Grace and Lili Taylor.
I’ve already tackled my thoughts on director Francis Lawrence’s filmography, which has been an interesting mix of IP filmmaking, high-concept action, and darker, character-driven stories.
From "Constantine" and "I Am Legend" to the "Hunger Games" sequels and "Red Sparrow," Lawrence has built a career around ambitious studio projects. Of course, his filmography has had its share of ups and downs ("Water for Elephants," "The Long Walk"), but "Sunrise on the Reaping," only his tenth feature in a 20-plus-year career, might cement his reputation as one of the more reliably consistent blockbuster directors working today.
“The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping” opens November 20th via Lionsgate.
