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The movie adaptation of Sunrise on the Reaping is scheduled to begin filming in July, with locations spread across Germany. Hunger Games fans worldwide are ecstatic.

The question on everyone's mind is — who will portray the younger versions of our cherished characters?!

It can't be just anyone. We've been eagerly waiting since 2008 (when the first Hunger Games book was released) for the backstory of our favorite characters, including Katniss Everdeen's mysterious mentor Haymitch.

Thirteen years later, we're finally getting to see a host of characters' younger selves come alive on screen, and I just know my eight-year-old self would be incredibly jealous (and fangirling, big time).

@.alexander.hannahlton
everyone saying “what young actor looks like him” NO! JUST CAST WOODY HARRELSON AS YOUNG HAYMITCH
♬ War – Hypnotic Brass Ensemble

Having read Sunrise on the Reaping, I don't think I'm mentally prepared to witness what he’s about to endure on screen. Leave our dear boy alone, Snow (and I'm talking to you too, Suzanne Collins).

Let's quickly recap the book before diving into the casting rumors.

PS: I've ensured there are no spoilers, so you can enjoy all of the potential cast worry-free. If you haven't grabbed a copy of Sunrise on the Reaping, you can do so here.

@bansheesia I mean, we all agree right ? #hungergames #hungergamesedit #booktok #booktoker #reading #book #sunriseonthereaping #sotr #haymitch #haymitchabernathy #woodyharrelson #suzannecollins #hungergamescatchingfire #hungergamestheballadofsongbirdsandsnakes #movie #actors #fyp #viral #trend #lionsgate #relatable #reader #bookstagram @The Hunger Games ♬ War – Hypnotic Brass Ensemble

What is the Sunrise on the Reaping book about?
Everything we know about the film adaptation
Every major celeb cast in Sunrise on the Reaping
President Snow: Donald Sutherland
Lenore Dove Baird: Whitney Peak
Effie Trinket: Elle Fanning
President Snow: Ralph Fiennes
Caesar Flickerman: Kieran Culkin
Plutarch Heavensbee: Jesse Plemons
Mags Flanagan: Lili Taylor
Wiress Wright: Maya Hawke
Beetee Latier: Kelvin Harrison Jr.
Ampert Latier: Percy Daggs IV
Drusilla Sickle: Glenn Close
Magno Stift: Billy Porter
Lou Lou: Iona Bell
Wyatt Callow: Ben Wang
Maysilee Donner: McKenna Grace
Wellie: Rada Rae
Panache Barker: Jhaleil Swaby
Silka Sharp: Laura Marcus
Maritte: Sky Frances
Ringina: Tatyana Muzondo
Kerna: Alina Reid
Clayton: Salimou Thiam
Buck: John Doeble
Hull: Kaine Buffonge
Sid Abernathy: Smylie Bradwell
Willamae Abernathy: Kara Tointon
Clerk Carmine: Jeffrey Hallman
Woodbine Chance: Serafin Mishiev
Mr McCoy: Jefferson White
Burdock Everdeen: Scot Greenan
Asterid March: Grace Ackary
Hattie Meeney: Melody Chikakane Brown
Here’s how you could be cast in Sunrise on the Reaping
Will the original actors be in Sunrise on the Reaping?
When will Sunrise on the Reaping be released in Australia?

What is the Sunrise on the Reaping book about?

Set 24 years before the first Hunger Games book, Sunrise on the Reaping takes place during the 50th Hunger Games. We follow 16-year-old Haymitch Abernathy from District 12 as he’s forced to fight in the second Quarter Quell. His one goal? Survive for his girlfriend, Lenore Dove.

Check out our Sunrise on the Reaping lore recap here for more. (FYI, there will be spoilers there. You have been warned).

@wtfaleisa
5 stars
♬ Silence – Vick Lezcano

Everything we know about the film adaptation

Yes, Sunrise on the Reaping will be made into a movie — set 40 years after The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. The film’s creators, Lionsgate, announced that the second prequel would be made into a film on June 6, 2024, coinciding with the book announcement.

The good news is that the same director, Francis Lawrence, from previous films in The Hunger Games franchise (except the OG) will be on board.

Lionsgate also confirmed that it’s bringing back the Hunger Games scriptwriter Billy Ray at CinemaCon in March 2025.

We can all breathe a collective sigh of relief that Sunrise on the Reaping is in good hands. We’d be rioting against the Capitol if not.

@hungergamesofficial Welcome to the Second Quarter Quell. The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping – in theaters November 20, 2026. #TheHungerGames ♬ The Hunger Games Whistle – Lionsgate

Every major celeb cast in Sunrise on the Reaping

Here’s everything we know about the Sunrise on the Reaping cast so far.

@readsbykali PUT YOUR PITCHFORKS DOWN 😭😭🫵🏻 #thehungergames #sunriseonthereaping #haymitchabernathy ♬ original sound – kali ✨🧸 booktok

Haymitch Abernathy: Joseph Zada

Lionsgate has officially revealed that Joseph Zada will play Haymitch Abernathy in Sunrise on the Reaping. WE FINALLY HAVE OUR LEAD. Fans are going wild in the comments, frothing that the casting team chose an up-and-coming actor.

“HES UNKNOWN THANK GODSJDJQJDICJSJDJDJJW,” one fan commented on the post, which has been liked by 4,000 people and counting.

Woody Harrelson as Haymitch Abernathy. (Image: The Hunger Games)

Joseph Zada. (Image: Prime Video)

It turns out Zada is actually Australian (!!), hailing from Sydney. I’m so excited for all the Australian challenges we’re about to see, specifically the cast trying Vegemite.

If you’re wondering why Zada looks familiar, the trailer for his recent role in We Were Liars has been circulating. The TV show follows a wealthy family on a private island (that’s definitely not a recipe for disaster), where Zada plays cousin Johnny Sinclair.

Lenore Dove Baird: Whitney Peak

We’ve officially had Haymitch’s love interest Lenore Dove Baird confirmed — she’ll be played by Whitney Peak. Peak and Zada are going to look so cute together — I’m already excited for the TikTok edits. I bet you their ship name is going to be Zeak.

Whitney Peak. (Image: CAA)

“The Hunger Games franchise has long been a launching pad for remarkable young actors, and Jo and Whitney carry that legacy forward with incredible heart, depth, and fire,” Lionsgate told Deadline. “After auditioning hundreds of gifted performers from around the world, these two stood out—not just for their talent, but for the emotional truth they brought to these iconic roles.”

Peak is a Ugandan-Canadian, most widely known for her role in the Gossip Girl reboot. She plays Zoya Lott, the younger half-sister of an Instagram influencer.

Effie Trinket: Elle Fanning

Elle Fanning has officially been announced as the young Effie Trinket in Sunrise On The Reaping!

While the casting was originally reported by Nexus Point News and confirmed by an anonymous source to The Wrap, it has now been officially confirmed.

Elizabeth Banks as Effie Trinket. (Image: The Hunger Games)

Elle Fanning. (Image: Amazon Studios)

All I have to say is EEEKKKKK. Fanning was literally my fan cast for Effie, so all my dreams are coming true!

Fanning has Effie’s innocent look down pat — just look at her in Maleficent. Her character, Briar, is a stark contrast to Effie, who (initially) turns a blind eye to kids getting killed.

Plus, take a look at Fanning’s Instagram. It’s soooo Effie-coded.

Set long before she became an escort for District 12, Fanning’s (alleged) role follows Effie as an assistant stylist, where she meets young Haymitch for the first time.

If grown-up Haymitch (played by Woody Harrelson) and Effie (played by Elizabeth Banks) don’t get together in Sunrise on the Reaping… I will stab the mahogany with a butter knife. Mark my words.

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