Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping Director Francis Lawrence Not Scared of GTA 6 Release Clash

The new Hunger Games prequel, Sunrise on the Reaping, hits theaters on November 20, just one day after Rockstar Games launches GTA 6 on November 19. Director Francis Lawrence acknowledges the timing, telling IGN he hopes audiences make time for both: 'Play GTA, go see our movie, play more GTA.' The clash puts one of the year's biggest films against what Circana data suggests is the most anticipated game ever, with nearly 1 in 3 US console and PC gamers planning to buy GTA 6—the highest purchase intent ever recorded by the firm. While publishers are shifting release dates to avoid GTA 6's 'blast zone,' Circana's Mat Piscatella says the fear is overblown. Lawrence, a gamer himself who loves Metal Gear Solid, BioShock, and the original GTA, isn't panicking. Whether both can thrive in the same weekend remains to be seen, but for now, the director is betting fans have room for Panem and Vice City.