Sunrise on the Reaping: New Hunger Games Movie Cast Revealed

Since the release of Suzanne Collins' newest book in the Hunger Games collection, Sunrise on the Reaping, fans have been theorizing who will play which characters in the movie. The book, released on March 18, 2025, was an instant success, selling over 1.5 million copies worldwide in its first week. 

The movie adaptation has created widespread excitement, as the film was confirmed before the book was even released. Sunrise on the Reaping tells the story of Hunger Games mentor Haymitch Abernathy's own time as a tribute in the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell. In this story, we see many characters from the original series mentioned, paying homage to the Hunger Games books, set 24 years after Sunrise on the Reaping. 

Who has been cast? 

As for the cast of this new film, it was revealed on April 23, 2025, that Joseph Zada will play a young Haymitch. He has been in the Australian series Invisible Boys and the upcoming Netflix adaptation of East of Eden. Other characters include Whitney Peak as Lenore Dove Baird, Haymitch's love interest. Peak is known for her roles in the Gossip Girl reboot and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. Mckenna Grace will portray Maysilee Donner, a fellow District 12 tribute; Grace has appeared in films like Gifted and Captain Marvel (Elle). Jesse Plemons is cast as a young Plutarch Heavensbee, a Capitol cameraman during the Second Quarter Quell. Plemons previously played Philip Seymour Hoffman's son in The Master, bringing a poignant connection to the role originally portrayed by Hoffman. 

The film is scheduled for theatrical release on November 20, 2026. The teaser for The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping was unveiled at CinemaCon in Las Vegas on April 1, 2025. This initial reveal featured a dramatic logo animation, showcasing a volcanic eruption that morphs into a snake, symbolizing the perilous arena of the 50th Hunger Games. Notably, the teaser included a voice-over by Woody Harrelson, reprising his role as Haymitch Abernathy, stating, "I think these games are going to be different," hinting at possible appearances from original characters Katniss and Peeta in the film's epilogue, People quotes.

Beyond the excitement surrounding the cast, Sunrise on the Reaping promises to bring a darker, more politically charged story to the screen. Critics have praised the novel for its deeper political connotations and the exploration of the emotional scars left by the Games, offering a more mature and haunting narrative compared to earlier installments. Fans can expect a movie that not only expands the world of Panem but also sheds new light on the forces that shaped the rebellion seen in The Hunger Games trilogy.