Lionsgate has revealed the actors set to play the lead roles in the upcoming film adaptation of the Haymitch Abernathy-focused prequel, following weeks of fan castings by Hunger Games enthusiasts.
In ‘The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping,’ Joseph Zada will step into the arena as District 12 tribute Haymitch Abernathy for the Second Quarter Quell, while Whitney Peak will portray his girlfriend, Lenore Dove Baird.
The prequel takes place 40 years after the events of “The Ballads of Songbirds & Snakes,” which followed the evolution of antagonist Coriolanus Snow, and 24 years before Katniss Everdeen volunteered for her sister.
Based on Suzanne Collins’ best-selling dystopian novels, the Hunger Games franchise centers on 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who participates in the 74th Hunger Games, a punishment intended to prevent districts surrounding the exploitive and cruel Capitol from rebelling again by making them send a boy and girl chosen through a lottery to compete in a reality television show-style competition in which they must fight to the death until only one is left.
Haymitch Abernathy.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping – in theaters November 20, 2026. pic.twitter.com/0HgUhRcPF7
— The Hunger Games (@TheHungerGames) April 23, 2025
Lenore Dove Baird.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping – in theaters November 20, 2026. pic.twitter.com/TC17ReiuBd
— The Hunger Games (@TheHungerGames) April 23, 2025
Released in March 2025, 16-year-old Haymitch finds himself the District 12 tribute for the 50th Hunger Games in “Sunrise on the Reaping.” Haymitch’s romantic interest in the books is Lenore Dove Baird, who comes from the Covey, a nomadic group.
“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 Motion Picture Group Co-President Erin Westerman said.
Fans have responded well to the casting announcement and took to social media to share their thoughts on the news.
good morning hunger games nation what a time to be alive https://t.co/20kMRNB4Iw
— anmo (@arispoets) April 24, 2025
I have no clue who this man is… WE WON https://t.co/9qsOoIwIJG pic.twitter.com/bWxoDZ8KAF
— j 🍀 (@zeglersbaird) April 23, 2025
WE WON SO BAD I’M SOOO SAT https://t.co/oGCquOL1i7 pic.twitter.com/o2Cpxkv5O9
— adrian 🗡️ (@vampiricbats) April 23, 2025
NEW ACTORS GETTING STARRING ROLES AGAIN THANK GODDD https://t.co/EAjtJs33tq
— zee 🫶🏻 (@hyunecatcher) April 23, 2025
SHES SO PERFECT IM CRYING. WELCOME HOME LENORE DOVE!! https://t.co/ILhtUOICeB pic.twitter.com/hm9et5qBOD
— laurie︎ ♆ (@anneqthena) April 23, 2025
i’m seated. the theater employees are scared and asking me to leave because it’s “not 2026 yet” but i’m simply too seated. https://t.co/EGqCzGWvss
— ؘ (@leedinito) April 23, 2025
WAAAAIT SHE’S PERFECT https://t.co/e0RTS5RXIB pic.twitter.com/AIPSION6if
— s ୨୧ (@alltoobooks) April 23, 2025
oh my god we WON??? beautiful incredible black curly-haired lenore dove … crying into my hands you can't do this to me https://t.co/6Ixj45dtxJ
— asma 🧡🤍🩷 lesbian visibility week!! (@archivemoons) April 23, 2025
Billy Ray will be writing the screenplay, and Francis Lawrence, who directed every Hunger Games movie except the first, will direct the film.
Based on Holden Sheppard’s best-selling book, Zada presently plays the lead in the Stan Australia Original Series “Invisible Boys.” Peak is well-known for playing Zoya Lott in the Gossip Girl revival and was also in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.
No other casting announcements have been made formally.
The release date of “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping” is set for November 20, 2026.
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