May the odds be ever in their favour… again. Lionsgate has officially confirmed to Deadline the two leads for The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, the next cinematic entry in Suzanne Collins’ dystopian universe. Joseph Zada has been cast as a young Haymitch Abernathy, with Whitney Peak taking on the role of Lenore Dove Baird, Haymitch’s girlfriend.
Zada, who currently stars in the Australian series Invisible Boys and will soon appear in Amazon Prime Video’s We Were Liars, steps into the shoes of a character previously made iconic by Woody Harrelson. Peak, best known for her breakout role in the Gossip Girl reboot and Disney+’s Hocus Pocus 2, joins him in a pivotal original role created for the adaptation. Their casting signals a generational handoff as the franchise digs deeper into the lore of Panem, this time focusing on the 50th Hunger Games — the Second Quarter Quell.
“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,” said co-president of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Erin Westerman. “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.”
Adapted from Collins’ latest novel, Sunrise on the Reaping that sold over 1.2 million copies in its first week in the U.S. alone, the story explores events 24 years before Katniss Everdeen volunteered as tribute. Set on the morning of Haymitch’s reaping, the story introduces a young version of District 12’s future victor and mentor. At just sixteen years old, Haymitch is pulled into a Games unlike any other, where a devastating twist doubles the number of tributes. Instead of the usual 24, the arena will see 48 participants forced into battle, heightening the stakes and amplifying the cruelty of the Capitol.
Francis Lawrence, a veteran of the franchise, returns to direct, continuing his creative leadership after helming The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2, and The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. Billy Ray, who penned previous entries, returns to script the screenplay.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping opens in cinemas on 20 November 2026.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, and anime — you name it. When she’s not reading or being a dedicated cinephile, she’s probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of Caleb from Love and Deepspace.
