Raise three fingers and get that Mockingjay whistle ready, Panem’s newest tribute has stepped into the arena. Per Deadline, Lionsgate has officially cast Mckenna Grace as Maysilee Donner in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, the upcoming prequel to Suzanne Collins’ blockbuster dystopian saga. The announcement arrives hot on the heels of Joseph Zada’s casting as a young Haymitch Abernathy and Whitney Peak’s as his love interest, Lenore Dove Baird, forming a central trio that will anchor the story’s brutal retelling of the 50th Hunger Games, otherwise known as the Second Quarter Quell.
Grace’s addition to the cast feels like a natural step in a career defined by her ability to hold her own in franchise universes. Already known for roles in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, Captain Marvel, The Haunting of Hill House, and The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, she has often stepped into iconic shoes, frequently playing younger versions of already-established characters. She will also star in Blumhouse’s Kiss of Death and the sequel to Five Nights at Freddy’s, and is set to appear in Scream 7 alongside legacy cast members like Neve Campbell and Courteney Cox.
This time, she carves out something new as Maysilee, the original owner of the Mockingjay pin and a fellow District 12 tribute alongside Haymitch, 24 years before Katniss Everdeen’s story begins.
Francis Lawrence returns to direct, reuniting with screenwriter Billy Ray to bring Collins’ newest prequel to life. Despite a mixed reception for The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, its US$349 million global haul signaled that interest in the franchise remains strong, especially when tied to familiar names and darker thematic material.
With its star power solidifying and its story promising both emotional devastation and thrilling set pieces, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is quickly shaping up to be more than just another prequel, but a return to the arena — and fans are ready to watch.
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.
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