Lionsgate has officially unveiled the lead cast for its upcoming Hunger Games prequel, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. Joseph Zada has been cast as the young Haymitch Abernathy, while Whitney Peak will play Lenore Dove Baird, Haymitch’s girlfriend.
Set 24 years before the events of the original trilogy, the film will explore the 50th Hunger Games—also known as the Second Quarter Quell—and delve into the origins of the hardened mentor fans came to know through Woody Harrelson’s portrayal.
Francis Lawrence, returning once again to the franchise, will direct the film, with a screenplay adaptation by Billy Ray. The prequel is based on the fifth Hunger Games novel by Suzanne Collins and is slated for release on November 20, 2026.
Producers praised Zada and Peak for bringing “emotional truth” to their performances. Erin Westerman, co-president of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, shared:
After auditioning hundreds of gifted performers from around the world, these two stood out—not just for their talent, but for the emotional depth they brought to these iconic roles.”
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is expected to expand the universe of Panem with new characters, emotional stakes, and a deeper understanding of the Capitol’s twisted traditions.
