Hunger Games Author Suzanne Collins Makes Rare Public Statement

“I can’t say enough about his masterful depiction of Haymitch in the original films,” Collins said of Harrelson, adding that the cast was “led by a remarkably powerful and moving performance by Joseph Zada.”

In addition, the writer applauded how the Zombieland star’s return alongside original cast members Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson brought “such poignancy to the film,” as together their characters “bridge Haymitch’s Hunger Games to Katniss’s tale.”

Meanwhile, she said that the entire ensemble—including Elle Fanning and Ralph Fiennes—exceeded her expectations.

As Collins put it, “Gems, every last one. I truly can’t imagine a better cast.”

But fans have more than the movie’s stars to thank for the finished product. Collins—who has sat out the press tour for Sunrise on the Reaping following her last public appearance three years ago—also lauded the entire creative team from the screenwriters to the set designers, as well as singer Noah Kahan, who wrote one of the movie’s emotional original songs, “Draw You Out.”

And with that said, the Catching Fire scribe finished her letter by thanking her readers who made all five of her novels bestsellers.

“I feel such deep appreciation for your continued presence in Panem,” she told her fans, before signing off, “May the odds be EVER in your favor!”

Before stepping back into the Capitol, keep reading for an inside look at Sunrise on the Reaping before its Nov. 20 premiere.