How the Sunrise Film Might (or Should) Tell Haymitch’s Story

With the fandom all abuzz about the likely return of Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, and Woody Harrelson for cameo appearances in Sunrise, why should we necessarily need to wait until the story’s conclusion to enjoy this treat? Although not aligned directly with the novel, there seems to be an opportunity for the goose to lay a golden egg here (pun intended). Why not begin the film with the three of them in post-Mockingjay District 12, then returning later to conclude the story? Let’s look at the logic here and why it would be a win-win situation for the fans and the franchise.

As readers know well, Haymitch admits in the Epilogue how he could no longer remain silent about his own past. He finally begins to contribute to the memorial book Katniss had described in Mockingjay. “I finally told our story,” he tells us. As one reader, I had the sudden revelation that the entire SOTR prequel effectively served as his story for Katniss and Peeta! The novel constitutes his own personal journey back in time, essentially reliving his experiences. One could easily envision — should the Lionsgate folks somehow agree — opening the film with current-day (post-Mockingjay) Haymitch in District 12 preparing to tell his story. Then he flashes back to the 50th Games and the prequel’s related adventures as he tells the story for the memorial book.

This is not an uncommon approach for screenwriting, known in filmmaking circles as the storyteller device. According to Dave Trottier of Script, this device is one of five common flashback situations utilized for feature films. Basically the principal narrator, or storyteller, introduces and concludes the story, sandwiching the featured plot itself. Trottier cites Saving Private Ryan with Tom Hanks as a classic example of this approach. The film’s opening is set in present-day with the main character narrating the story. The first act then flashes back immediately to the main storyline, continuing for much of the film’s duration. Later in the third act, the story flashes forward again to present day for the wrap-up.

Would this not be an incredible approach for the impending Sunrise film? Producers within the Hunger Games franchise have taken plenty of questionable liberties with the storylines and characters before (some of which I can’t get passed), so this approach would not be a substantial leap for them. As of this writing, we can be certain that Sunrise will conclude with some version of Haymitch’s emotional Epilogue from the novel. Evidence is further circulating that points to the probable return of the aforementioned trilogy franchise actors to do so. Why not double down with Katniss and Peeta assembling their book, and Haymitch raising his geese at the start of the film before he flashes back? I imagine I would not be the only enthusiast to applaud such a decision. This would be a smashing win for the franchise at the box office, and an equally satisfying — and refreshingly creative — diversion for enthusiasts who are eager to see the return of Lawrence and friends. Indeed, this may not be the time to (finally) stick to Collins’ own canon. Of course, feel free to disagree… We’ll see if Lionsgate does too.