Two decades before becoming a mentor to Katniss and Peeta (and eventually looking like Woody Harrelson), a sixteen-year-old Haymitch Abernathy (Joseph Zada) is reaped from his home of District 12 for the 50th Annual Hunger Games – the notorious Second Quarter Quell. With double the customary number of tributes selected for combat, Haymitch is plunged into a deadly, deceptive fight for survival where anything goes. Forming an alliance with Maysilee Donner (Mckenna Grace), Haymitch must outsmart ruthless competitors and environmental hazards, all while navigating sinister political schemes engineered by President Coriolanus Snow (Ralph Fiennes) and broadcast host Caesar Flickerman (Kieran Culkin).

Director Francis Lawrence returns to Panem for this prequel to the blockbuster franchise, based on the novel by Suzanne Collins. Notably, the film boasts a stellar ensemble cast portraying younger versions of notable characters from the original films, including Jesse Plemons, Elle Fanning, Maya Hakwe and Glenn Close.