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Warning: SPOILERS ahead for Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins.Sunrise on the Reapingis the latest novel in Suzanne CollinsHunger Gamesseries, set over two decades before the events of the original story and following Haymitch Abernathy during his time in the infamous arena.
The book does a brilliant job of reframing the events ofThe Hunger Gameswhile providing readers with a whole new story about love, ambition, and sacrifice that fits neatly with ongoing themes of the series.Sunrise on the Reapingalso features some major revelationsaboutThe Hunger Gamesthat will surely yo long-time fans of the franchise.
A movie adaptation ofSunrise on the Reapinghas already been announced, and many fans are already speculating how this film could tie into the existing movies.
The epilogue of Collins new prequel features a surprise appearance from Katniss Everdeen, facilitating a potentialreturn toThe Hunger Gamesuniverse from Jennifer Lawrence.
However, theres one specific character whom readers were looking forward to seeing inSunrise on the Reapingwho didnt actually appear, potentially shutting the door on their movie return.
Sunrise On The Reaping Has Lots Of Lucy Gray References, But She Isn’t Actually In The Book
The Book Takes Place Long After Her Disappearance
Lucy Gray is the protagonist ofThe Ballad Of Songbirds and Snakes, Collins last prequel book which takes place during the foundational years of Coriolanus Snows dystopian survival games.
Played by Rachel Zegler in the movie adaptation,Lucy Gray quickly became a fan-favorite characterthanks to her strong personality and resounding similarities to Lawrences portrayal of Katniss Everdeen.
Although Lucy Gray is officially missing at the end ofThe Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, many readers were hoping for a surprise appearance inSunrise on the Reaping.
One of the most disturbing storylines in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is Louella McCoys, and it may leave readers scratching their heads.
While this isnt the case,Lucy Grayisstill mentioned in Haymitch Abernathys prequel story.Its revealed that his love interest Lenore Dove is somehow related to Lucy Gray, and that both of these powerful heroines may be distantly related to Katniss Everdeen.
Thissmall detail makes Haymitchs story even more heartbreaking, reframing his role inThe Hunger Gamesas the mentor to his late girlfriends relative.
The Hunger Games Prequel Rules Out A Lucy Gray Cameo In The Upcoming Movie
It’s Very Unlikely That The Movie Will Include A Needless Cameo
The absence of Lucy Gray fromSunrise on the Reapingmakes it very unlikely that she will appear in the upcoming movie adaptation, not least because it may ruin theending ofSongbirds and Snakes.
Custom Image by Yeider Chacon
The whole point of that prequels conclusion is that President Snow is haunted by the actions that led to Lucy Grays disappearance, forever unsure whether or not shes really dead.She becomes a nameless ghost whose legacy haunts himuntil his own death inMockingjay.
Not to mention, the character would be too old for Rachel Zegler to reprise her role, so the appearance wouldnt have as much emotional impact.
Im not convinced that bringing Lucy Gray back for theSunrise on the Reapingmovie would be a good idea, as it would ruin the ambiguity of her storys conclusion in the previous film.
Set 24 years before Katniss Everdeen’s rise,Sunrise on the Reapingdelves into the 50th Hunger Games, the Second Quarter Quell, where double the tributes are chosen. District 12’s Haymitch Abernathy is thrust into the Capitol’s deadly arena, facing perilous challenges that test his resilience and cunning.
Not to mention, the character would be too old for Rachel Zegler to reprise her role, so the appearance wouldnt have as much emotional impact.
Instead, its much more effective for her legacy to be simply mentioned, adhering to the idea thather name only lives on as a symbol of resistance and rebellion.
I’m Disappointed We Won’t See Lucy Again, But The Book’s Ending Appearances Are Even Better
There Are Some Even Better Cameos In The Book
While its a shame that Lucy Gray seemingly wont be a part ofSunrise on the Reapings movie adaptation, the characters thatdoappear in the storys epilogue are even more effective.
Haymitch never knew Lucy Gray, soher return wouldnt be as thematically powerful as Katniss and Peetas,who make a brief appearance during a flash-forward scene in which Haymitch recounts his story following the events ofMockingjay.
Though Katniss and Peetas appearance in theSunrise on the Reapingepilogue could easily come across as needless fan service, Im confident that their characters would actually serve a clear purpose in the movie.Their involvement in the book is an excellent way of tying Haymitchs story togetherwhile proving that everything he sacrificed in the arena was ultimately worth it thanks to Katniss successful rebellion.
The only way to really make this clear in the movie would be through Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutchersons involvement, which would clearly pay homage to the original story and display how tightly Haymitchs story is intertwined with theirs.
Set 24 years before Katniss Everdeen’s rise,Sunrise on the Reapingdelves into the 50th Hunger Games, the Second Quarter Quell, where double the tributes are chosen.
District 12’s Haymitch Abernathy is thrust into the Capitol’s deadly arena, facing perilous challenges that test his resilience and cunning.
