The Smashing Pumpkins Unveil 'Black Stars' for Upcoming 'Hunger Games' Film

The Smashing Pumpkins have added their signature sound to the latest installment of the beloved 'Hunger Games' saga, with the release of their track 'Black Stars' for the upcoming film 'The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping'. This contribution marks a significant moment for the band, as they continue to make waves in the world of film soundtracks.

Reportedly, the companion album for the film features 29 cross-genre artists, showcasing a diverse array of musical talent. Among these contributors is Dave Cobb, who serves as the executive producer for the album. Cobb’s involvement adds another layer of prestige to the project, ensuring that the musical landscape of 'Sunrise on the Reaping' is both rich and varied.

The album is set to be released on November 13, 2026, just a week ahead of the film's premiere on November 20, 2026. This strategic timing allows fans to immerse themselves in the musical world of 'Sunrise on the Reaping' before experiencing the visual spectacle of the film itself.

Billy Corgan, the frontman of The Smashing Pumpkins, has been particularly busy. He reportedly worked on a solo album prior to contributing to the soundtrack, indicating his dedication to his craft and his ability to juggle multiple projects with ease. His work on 'Black Stars' promises to blend seamlessly with the other tracks on the album, creating a cohesive and memorable auditory experience for listeners.

The music video for 'Black Stars' reportedly includes purple smoke, which aligns with the visual motifs seen in the film's trailers. This connection between the audio and visual elements of 'Sunrise on the Reaping' suggests a carefully curated artistic vision that spans multiple mediums.

Noah Kahan's 'Draw You Out' is the first single announced for the album, setting the stage for what promises to be a captivating collection of songs. Previous 'Hunger Games' films have featured notable musical contributions from artists such as Taylor Swift, Lorde, and Coldplay, establishing a high bar for musical excellence within the franchise.

In addition to the musical excitement, the film 'The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping' boasts a star-studded cast, including Mckenna Grace, who plays the character Maysilee Donner. Grace has been actively participating in a press tour for the film, visiting major cities like Paris, Sydney, New York, and London. Her appearances have been marked by elaborate and symbolic outfits, each one paying homage to different aspects of the 'Hunger Games' universe.

One of Grace's outfits featured a beaded Almée Couture gown with a pastoral scene and 3D flowers, reminiscent of an arena setting. Another included a Gucci gown with tiered ruffles in green, pink, and magenta, referencing Rachel Zegler's character in 'The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes'. Additionally, she wore an aqua Betsey Johnson minidress similar to Amandla Stenberg's Rue costume from the original 'Hunger Games'.

At the Academy Museum Gala, Grace donned a Mônot halter dress inspired by Jennifer Lawrence's red Calvin Klein gown from the 2011 Oscars. In Australia, she chose a ballet pink House of Gilles gown with a side braid hinting at Katniss. These outfits not only showcased her fashion sense but also highlighted the enduring influence of the 'Hunger Games' franchise on popular culture.

The U.K. premiere of 'Sunrise on the Reaping' took place on October 28th, with stars such as Mckenna Grace, Elle Fanning, Joseph Zada, Glenn Close, Whitney Peak, Jesse Plemons, Kieran Culkin, and Ralph Fiennes in attendance. Elle Fanning's appearance was particularly striking, wearing a pink couture dress by Robert Wun with a structured bodice and tulle skirt, topped with a tall headpiece featuring a ballerina figurine.

The film 'Sunrise on the Reaping' is a prequel focusing on Haymitch Abernathy's first Hunger Games. It offers a glimpse into the past of Panem and its districts, with fashion inspired by the '60s and '70s era, as indicated by mood boards. This historical setting provides a unique backdrop for the story, allowing for creative exploration of the world and its inhabitants.

What we know

• - The Smashing Pumpkins contributed a song titled 'Black Stars' to the 'Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping' companion album. ¹
• - The companion album features 29 cross-genre artists. ¹
• - Dave Cobb is the executive producer of the album. ¹
• - The album will be released on November 13, 2026. ¹
• - The film 'The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping' is set to release on November 20, 2026. ¹
• - Billy Corgan worked on a solo album before contributing to the soundtrack. ¹
• - The music video for 'Black Stars' includes purple smoke. ¹
• - Noah Kahan's 'Draw You Out' is the first single announced for the album. ¹
• - Previous 'Hunger Games' films featured musical contributions from Taylor Swift, Lorde, and Coldplay. ¹
• - Mckenna Grace is part of the cast for 'The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping'. ²³
• - The film's release date is set for November 20th. ²³
• - Mckenna Grace's character is named Maysilee Donner. ²
• - Grace participated in a press tour for the film, visiting cities such as Paris, Sydney, New York, and London. ²
• - Grace wore outfits that referenced various elements of the 'Hunger Games' franchise during the tour. ²
• - The U.K. premiere of 'Sunrise on the Reaping' took place on October 28th. ³
• - The film is a prequel focusing on Haymitch Abernathy's first Hunger Games. ³
• - Fashion in 'Sunrise on the Reaping' is inspired by the '60s and '70s era. ³
• - The film features younger versions of characters and reflects the appearance of Panem and its districts during that time period. ³