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The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping Casts Young Leads

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping has officially selected its young stars. This second prequel to the acclaimed “Hunger Games” trilogy takes place 24 years prior to Katniss Everdeen’s journey in the arena. The storyline focuses on the power dynamics of propaganda and state manipulation, centering around the morning of the reaping for the 50th Hunger Games, a pivotal event in which Haymitch Abernathy competed. The film is set to debut in theaters on November 20, 2026.

In exciting news, Joseph Zada (Invisible Boys) will take on the role of Haymitch Abernathy, a character famously portrayed by Woody Harrelson in the original movies. He will be joined by Whitney Peak (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina), who will play Lenore Dove Baird, Haymitch’s girlfriend from the Covey. Producer Nina Jacobson remarked on the casting, stating that Joseph “prepared like crazy,” while Whitney “took our breath away” in her audition. Their chemistry solidified the choice remarkably fast, indicating the search for the lead roles had finally concluded. This Lionsgate adaptation is based on Suzanne Collins’ novel, released on March 18, 2025, by Scholastic.

The “Unique Challenge” of Casting a Young Haymitch

Francis Lawrence, a key director for the franchise since Catching Fire, will helm this installation as well, with a screenplay adaptation crafted by Billy Ray. Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson of Color Force, known for their work on both The Hunger Games and Diary of a Wimpy Kid, will produce, and Cameron MacConomy will serve as the executive producer. Erin Westerman, co-president of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, expressed confidence in Zada and Peak, highlighting their potential to continue the franchise’s tradition of launching promising talent.

“The Hunger Games” series has a rich history of showcasing emerging actors, and Zada and Peak embody this legacy with remarkable passion and authenticity. After a thorough audition process that considered many talented individuals globally, they emerged not just because of their skills but also the emotional depth they brought to their characters. Haymitch’s story is among the most awaited in this narrative landscape, and his connection to Lenore Dove is vital to understanding the emotional fabric of Panem. Audiences can look forward to a story that delves into the background of one of the franchise’s most captivating figures.

While casting a young actor for Haymitch may mark a departure from Woody Harrelson’s iconic portrayal, it also serves to deepen the character’s backstory. However, the shadow of Harrelson’s influence presented a “unique” challenge in selecting the right fit for the role. Producer Nina Jacobson reflected on this complexity in earlier discussions, acknowledging that “Nobody can be Woody Harrelson but Woody Harrelson.” She emphasized the importance of capturing the inherent mischief of the character and exploring his origins leading up to the man he became in the original series.

Source: Variety

Release Date
November 20, 2026

Director
Francis Lawrence

Producers
Brad Simpson

Source
movieweb.com