Cast Announced for 'The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping'

The Return of ‘The Hunger Games’: New Stars Join the Franchise

The much-anticipated film, ‘The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping’, has unveiled its lead actors. Joseph Zada is set to portray the District 12 tribute, Haymitch Abernathy, while Whitney Peak will take on the role of his girlfriend, Lenore Dove Baird. This Lionsgate production is adapted from the popular novel by Suzanne Collins, the renowned author behind ‘The Hunger Games’. The story unfolds 40 years after the events depicted in ‘The Ballads of Songbirds & Snakes’ and 24 years before the legendary Katniss Everdeen enters the arena.

Slated for a November 20, 2026 release, ‘Sunrise on the Reaping’ will see veteran director Francis Lawrence at the helm, continuing his work from 2012’s ‘Catching Fire’. The screenplay is crafted by Billy Ray, and the film is produced by Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson of Color Force, with Cameron MacConomy stepping in as executive producer.

Joseph Zada’s star continues to rise. He will soon be seen in the Prime Video series, ‘We Were Liars’, set to premiere this June. He’s also wrapped up filming for Netflix’s ‘East of Eden’, where he stars alongside Florence Pugh and others. Whitney Peak, remembered for her prominent role in the Max reboot of ‘Gossip Girl’, will appear next in Sony Pictures’ shark thriller, ‘Shiver’.

With a franchise box office haul exceeding $3.3 billion, ‘The Hunger Games’ continues to captivate audiences worldwide, drawing in top-tier talent for its ongoing adventures.