Let’s Discuss The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping Casting!

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is a dystopian novel by Suzanne Collins that delves into the harrowing past of Haymitch Abernathy. Set during the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell, the story traces Haymitch’s path from a struggling teenager in District 12 to the unlikely victor of a brutal arena.

While longtime fans already know he survives by outlasting 47 other tributes, this novel, as well as the upcoming film adaptation, reveal the deeper, more tragic layers of his journey. For the first time, readers witness the personal losses, defiance, and emotional scars that shaped the man who would one day mentor Katniss Everdeen.

Sunrise on the Reaping is set to hit theaters in fall 2026, and with the release date approaching, we’re starting to get a wave of exciting casting announcements! Let’s go through each confirmed cast member so far!

HAYMITCH ABERNATHY – Joseph Zada

Much like the earlier Hunger Games films, which launched emerging talent into stardom, the role of Haymitch Abernathy in Sunrise on the Reaping is going to a relatively unknown actor: Joseph Zada. Prior to stepping into the shoes of one of District 12’s most iconic victors, Zada will appear in Prime Video’s upcoming adaptation of E. Lockhart’s coming of age drama, We Were Liars.

Though Zada wasn’t on my personal fancast radar, he’s a compelling and surprisingly fitting choice. He brings a quiet intensity and emotional openness, with a softness in his eyes that hints at Haymitch’s inner turmoil. At the same time, there’s a rugged, slightly haunted edge to him that captures the hardened survivor beneath the surface. Zada seems able to embody those layers in a way that could both honor the original portrayal and bring something entirely new to the screen.

Lenore Dove Baird – WHITNEY PEAK

Sunrise on the Reaping doesn’t just reintroduce us to younger versions of familiar characters, it expands the world of Panem with new, compelling figures. One of which is Lenore Dove Baird, Haymitch Abernathy’s first love. Through Lenore, we’re brought back into musical world of the Covey. The Covey are the nomadic performers first introduced in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes through Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler), the girl who once captivated a young Coriolanus Snow. This time, it’s Haymitch’s turn to fall in love. However, as we watch Haymitch rise as a victor, we also witness the emotional cost of his survival.

Bringing Lenore Dove Baird to life is Whitney Peak. I’ve been familiar with Peak’s work since her breakout as Zoya in the Gossip Girl reboot on Max, where she portrayed a headstrong outsider navigating the complexities of privileged upper Easter Siders. Given Peak’s natural charm and emotional range, she’s more than capable of capturing Lenore’s warmth, defiance, and vulnerability. And let’s not forget the Covey storyline means more original music is on the horizon, and Peak’s presence only adds to the excitement of seeing (and hearing) Lenore Dove Baird fully realized on screen.

Maysilee Donner – McKenna Grace

First mentioned in Mockingjay as Madge Undersee’s aunt and a fellow tribute from District 12, Maysilee Donner is one of the twin daughters of a well-off merchant family. At first glance, she comes across as the “most stuck-up girl in town”, but as the story unfolds, it becomes clear she’s so much more than she seems. In the arena, she and Haymitch forge a reluctant alliance rooted in mutual respect, slowly building a connection. It’s almost the enemies-to-lovers arc that I wanted, just without the romantic payoff.

Mckenna Grace is one of Hollywood’s most prolific young actors. She received an Emmy nomination for her work on The Handmaid’s Tale. Grace also starred in the recent Ghostbusters features Afterlife and Frozen Empire. She will also appear in Scream 7 as well as the upcoming Five Nights at Freddy’s sequel. Now, she gets to add another franchise to her name with The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.

Maysilee is described as having “long, straight blonde hair and a face that could have been carved from marble”. Grace is not only perfectly ripped from the books, but her acting prowess is going to be heartbreaking. Maysilee holds a pivotal and emotionally resonant place in Haymitch Abernathy’s story.

WYATT CALLOW – BEN WANG

Another new character introduced in Sunrise on the Reaping is Wyatt Callow. Wyatt’s family is known for The Booker Boys. They’re a group that organizes bets on various events, including the Hunger Games. Wyatt himself serves as an oddsmaker, determining the odds on events people are betting on, such as which tributes will be reaped, their ages, and other factors running the betting books for the Hunger Games.

Ben Wang is an inspired choice to play Wyatt Callow in Sunrise on the Reaping. With his breakout role in American Born Chinese, Wang has already proven he can carry complex, conflicted characters, and his fresh presence adds new energy to the franchise while staying true to the emotional core that defines The Hunger Games. Wyatt isn’t a typical fighter; he’s a quiet hero who ultimately sacrifices himself to protect another, and Wang’s ability to balance softness with inner strength makes him a natural fit.

LOUELLA / LOU LOU – MOLLY MCCANN & IONA BELL

Louella McCoy is a young District 12 tribute who has one of the most disturbing and tragic stories of the 50th Annual Hunger Games. Portraying her is Molly McCann, an Australian actress known for her roles in television series such as Bad Sisters and The Hardacres. However, after a tragic accident, the Capitol replaces Louella with a look-a-like, Lou Lou, a young girl torn from her home and forced to impersonate Louella. This version of the character will be portrayed by Iona Bell.

It’s an intriguing decision to cast two actresses instead of having Molly McCann take on both roles. Initially, I thought the same actress would play both parts, showcasing their versatility and acting range. However, I’m curious to see why the studio opted for this approach and what it adds to the story. I’ll have to wait and see how it all unfolds!

EFFIE TRINKET – ELLE FANNING

Effie Trinket is a memorable and colorful character in The Hunger Games series, known for her flamboyant style and strict adherence to Capitol etiquette. In the original trilogy, she serves as the District 12 escort, guiding and supporting tributes like Katniss and Peeta through the brutal Games while maintaining an often comical, upbeat demeanor that masks the harsh realities of their situation.

In Sunrise on the Reaping we meet a younger, less polished Effie during her earlier days of the Hunger Games. This version of Effie is still finding her footing, caught between loyalty to her society and the growing awareness of its cruelty. Originally portrayed by Elizabeth Banks in the original trilogy, the role is now being taken up by The Great’s Elle Fanning. Fanning is a fantastic choice because she effortlessly blends charm, vulnerability, and wit—qualities essential to capturing Effie’s complex journey from enthusiastic Capitol insider to a more nuanced figure. Her ability to convey both innocence and subtle strength will add fresh depth to Effie’s character, making her evolution even more compelling to audiences.

PRESIDENT SNOW – RALPH FIENNES

President Coriolanus Snow appears in three major phases across the Hunger Games saga, and each iteration reveals a different facet of his evolution from a desperate teenager to a tyrannical dictator. In The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, we meet Coriolanus as an ambitious but insecure 18-year-old Capitol student, desperate to restore his family’s lost status. His early choices rooted in charm, manipulation, and betrayal mark the beginning of his transformation.

By the time of Sunrise on the Reaping, set decades later, Snow is a cold, calculating president who uses the Hunger Games as both punishment and psychological warfare. Finally, in the original Hunger Games trilogy, Snow, now in his 70s and portrayed by Donald Sutherland, is a refined but ruthless dictator clinging to control through fear, propaganda, and mass violence.

While I’ll admit I was initially disappointed that Kiefer Sutherland isn’t continuing the legacy his father began, Ralph Fiennes is a powerful and fitting choice to take on the role of President Snow. As we know, Fiennes is no stranger to playing a monster going after children. His chilling turn as Voldemort in the Harry Potter series proves he can embody a character who is both terrifying and deeply complex. Fiennes brings a commanding presence, razor-sharp intelligence, and a quiet menace that perfectly suits this middle-era version of Snow.

Plutarch Heavensbee – Jesse Plemons

Plutarch Heavensbee appears in both The Hunger Games series and Sunrise on the Reaping, but his roles differ significantly. In Sunrise on the Reaping, Plutarch is just beginning his career in Capitol media, working behind the scenes as a cameraman covering the Games. A far cry from the Head Game Maker we meet in Catching Fire. However, we can see his loyalty wavering throughout and the seeds planted as to how and why he becomes a major force in the rebellion.

Originally portrayed by the late Philip Seymour Hoffman, the role of a young Plutarch Heavensbee will now be taken on by Oscar Nominated Jesse Plemons. Personally, I think this is a brilliant casting decision. Plemons (Power of the Dog) not only shares a striking resemblance to a younger Hoffman, but he also brings the emotional depth and subtlety needed to portray Plutarch during his early, conflicted years as a Capitol cameraman quietly questioning the system.

CAESAR FLICKERMAN – KIERAN CULKIN

Caesar Flickerman is the charismatic and flamboyant host of the Hunger Games interviews in the original trilogy, known for his bright costumes, energetic personality, and ability to charm both the Capitol audience and the tributes. In Sunrise on the Reaping, we see a younger Caesar just beginning to develop his iconic style and role within the Capitol’s propaganda machine. This earlier version is less polished but already sharp and ambitious, learning how to manipulate the spectacle to maintain the Capitol’s control.

Stanley Tucci famously set the tone for Caesar Flickerman in The Hunger Games trilogy with his unforgettable portrayal of the dazzling, eccentric host who balances charm and unsettling artificiality. In Sunrise on the Reaping, the younger Caesar will be brought to life by Academy Award Winner Kieran Culkin. Kieran’s fresh energy and natural charisma make him an excellent choice to portray Caesar’s early days, capturing the ambition and developing showmanship that will eventually define the character.

Beetee – Kelvin Harrison Jr.

In Sunrise on the Reaping, we meet a younger version of Beetee, the District 3 victor renowned for his brilliance with electronics and technology. Fans first met Beetee in Catching Fire, where he becomes a key ally to Katniss and a vital player in the rebellion. But in this prequel, we see a more personal and painful chapter of his life. After attempting to sabotage the Capitol’s communication systems, Beetee is punished by President Snow, who retaliates by having Beetee’s 12-year-old son, Ampert, reaped for the 50th Hunger Games. Beetee is then forced to mentor his own child through the arena knowing he will likely have to watch him die.

Originally played by Jeffrey Wright (American Fiction), Mufasa: The Lion King star, Kelvin Harrison Jr. has been cast as a young Beetee. Interestingly, this isn’t the first time the two actors have been linked, Harrison Jr. previously played Wright’s son in the Netflix film Monster. So, you know the family resemblance fits. Harrison Jr. is a fantastic choice for the role. He brings a quiet intensity and emotional depth to every performance, which is exactly what’s needed to portray Beetee during one of the darkest periods of his life.

WIRESS – MAYA HAWKE

We’re first introduced to Wiress, the brilliant but seemingly unhinged victor from District 3, in Catching Fire. She’s the one who keeps repeating “Tick, tock”. because she’s the first to realize the arena is designed like a clock. Though she appears fragile, she’s a crucial ally to Katniss and plays an important role in the rebellion.

In Sunrise on the Reaping, however, we meet a very different Wiress. She’s a newly crowned victor of the 49th Hunger Games, having survived a nightmarish arena filled with disorienting reflective surfaces. Instead of relying on violence, she outwits the arena itself winning without killing a single tribute. It’s a powerful origin for a character whose intelligence and quiet resistance become essential to the fight against the Capitol.

Originally portrayed by Amanda Plummer, young wiress will be played by Stranger Things Maya Hawke! Hawke is a fantastic choice for the role. She has a unique ability to bring both eccentricity and vulnerability to her characters which are qualities that define Wiress throughout the series. With her ethereal presence and sharp emotional range, Hawke can capture Wiress’s intelligence and quiet resilience.

MAGS – LILI TAYLOR

In Sunrise on the Reaping, Mags is introduced as the victor of the 11th Hunger Games and Mentor to District 12. By the time of Catching Fire, Mags is a former victor and longtime mentor who’s deeply respected, especially by Finnick Odair. Her character reflects someone who’s endured great trauma but retained a deep capacity for care, especially for younger tributes. While we don’t know the full details of her win, she’s respected among the mentor ranks.

Originally portrayed by Lynn Cohen, the younger version of Mags Flanagan will now be brought to life by Lili Taylor, best known for her roles in The Conjuring and Six Feet Under.

Taylor is an inspired choice for Mags. She has a natural warmth and emotional depth that make her perfect for portraying the compassionate, quietly strong mentor fans have come to love. Mags is a character defined not by physical power, but by her resilience, intuition, and deep empathy, and Taylor has the acting range to embody all of that.

THE HUNGER GAMES: SUNRISE ON THE REAPING SO FAR

So, what do you think about the casting announcements so far? Who would you like see them announce next? What are you most excited to see come alive from the book?

Comment and let us know!

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