Elizabeth Banks described The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping as "amazing" and called Joseph Zada a "perfect" Haymitch during the Airbnb.org Gala in Los Angeles on Wednesday night.

The film, adapted from Suzanne Collins's 2025 novel Sunrise on the Reaping, follows a young Haymitch, played by Zada, who replaces Woody Harrelson, as he battles for survival in the 50th Hunger Games. The ensemble includes Jesse Plemons as Plutarch, Ralph Fiennes as President Snow, Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman, Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket, Maya Hawke as Wiress and Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Beetee, with new faces such as Mckenna Grace, Glenn Close and Whitney Peak.

Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Woody Harrelson appear in a flash-forward scene reprising Katniss, Peeta and the original Haymitch.

"Joseph is a perfect Woody Harrelson," Banks said. "He's fantastic. I can't wait for people to see it."

Earlier this month Zada recounted his first day on the Cornucopia set, noting the presence of 47 other children and a massive drone with no crew, which he found "the most mental place to film" but said it helped his performance.

He praised working with Plemons, calling him "so good" and easy to play with, adding that their chemistry felt "on fire in the moment."

Zada described Glenn Close as a jokester who would "growl" at him on set, yet also highlighted her generosity and kindness off camera.

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping opens in theaters on Nov. 20, distributed by Lionsgate.