Filming for the latest Hunger Games instalment has begun, with Asturias’ Somiedo Natural Park chosen to portray the thrilling arena of the 50th Games.
Return to Panem: this time with a new character
Following the success of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Suzanne Collins’ universe expands further. Her new novel, Sunrise on the Reaping, shifts the focus to Haymitch’s origins and his struggle during the Quarter Quell – a pivotal moment revealing how he survived and discovered weaknesses in Panem’s system.
For the film adaptation, the production team is embracing a bold approach: part of the movie will be shot in a real, untamed natural setting, relying less on digital effects to capture the story’s raw intensity.
Why is Asturias the ideal place to film The Hunger Games?
In the story, this edition of the Games unfolds in an arena that seems almost dreamlike: verdant meadows, dense forests, wildflowers and roaming animals. Yet, as is typical in Panem, appearances are deceiving – poisonous water, deadly fruit and hidden traps lurk throughout.
The choice of Somiedo Natural Park is no accident. Collins’ depiction of the arena’s terrain mirrors the Asturian landscape perfectly: a striking blend of natural beauty and ever-present danger. That contrast – lush, intense and authentically wild – is exactly what Somiedo embodies.
This is how filming of The Hunger Games begins in Asturias
Although Lionsgate has not yet made an official announcement, there are already clear signs that production is moving forward. Local media report that the crew has been touring Asturias for days, scouting locations and preparing for filming, which is expected to begin this August.
As with most major productions, details remain under wraps. However, it is known that Valle del Lago is not the only location featured in Dawn at Harvest.
In Teverga, in the Hayedo de Montegrande area, a set has already been prepared, with around 20 minutes of footage planned there.
Several areas in Somiedo and Teverga have been temporarily closed this August. Filming in Somiedo appears to correspond to the Cornucopia scenes, while Teverga represents parts of La Arena – a wild meadow within an endless forest, as described in the books.
This is the natural park where The Hunger Games is filmed
The Somiedo Natural Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, is famed for its stunning landscapes: brown bears, capercaillies, chamois, glacial lakes, deep valleys and forests that seem lifted from a fantasy world. It's no surprise it was chosen as a key location for the new Hunger Games film.
Filming here is far from simple. As a protected area, the crew must follow strict guidelines to avoid any environmental impact – altering the landscape, disturbing wildlife or leaving traces of production is strictly forbidden.
Somiedo is also rich in cultural heritage. Its brañas (mountain pastures), teito cabins, and traditional high-mountain livestock practices are central to the park’s identity.
That an international blockbuster has chosen to film here is a remarkable recognition of both its natural and cultural value.
When is the new instalment of The Hunger Games released?
The film is set to premiere in November 2026, though no official trailer or footage has been released yet. With filming now underway, fans may see the first images in the coming months.
Excitement is already building. Fans are eager to discover more about Haymitch, a much-loved character whose backstory remains largely unexplored. This new instalment promises a younger, grittier version of the mentor, confronting an even more ruthless Capitol and one of the most brutal editions of the Games to date.