The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping - Lionsgate Casts Leads for Prequel

Lionsgate’s upcoming film, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, has officially announced its leads. Joseph Zada has been cast as Haymitch Abernathy, the District 12 Tribute, and Whitney Peak will portray his girlfriend, Lenore Dove Baird. Fans of the series will remember Haymitch as the character previously played by Woody Harrelson in the original Hunger Games films. There has been much speculation and excitement surrounding the casting decisions for this project, with Zada and Peak securing roles that have been highly coveted by young actors lately.

“The Hunger Games franchise has been a springboard for exceptional young talent, and Jo and Whitney are continuing that tradition with remarkable passion and intensity,” said Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Co-President Erin Westerman. “We auditioned hundreds of talented performers worldwide, but these two stood out not only for their skills but also for the emotional authenticity they brought to these beloved characters. Haymitch remains a fan favorite, and his backstory is highly anticipated within the series. His relationship with Lenore Dove intricately ties into Panem’s emotional tapestry. We’re thrilled for audiences to witness the formative events that shaped one of the series’ most fascinating characters.”

Adapted from the best-selling dystopian young adult novel by Suzanne Collins, published on March 18, Sunrise on the Reaping takes audiences 24 years prior to the events of The Hunger Games, beginning on the morning of the reaping for the 50th Hunger Games, known as the Second Quarter Quell. The story follows 16-year-old Haymitch, a shrewd and cunning youth from District 12, who unexpectedly finds himself chosen for this edition of the games. This year, however, comes with a perilous twist: double the usual number of tributes, as 48 children prepare to enter the arena to fight for their survival.