Suzanne Collins’s The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping dropped in March of this year, revisiting the dystopian world of the beloved original series. The book follows the fan-favourite Haymitch Abernathy (portrayed by Woody Harrelson in the original film trilogy) as he competes in the 50th Hunger Games—24 years before he mentors Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark in their games. This is also the second quarter quell, where double the usual number of tributes compete.
The film adaptation is set to hit theatres in November of 2026, with the announcement coming as no surprise following the success of the previous films. As expected, fans have been eagerly awaiting casting and were rewarded with the first announcement on the 23 April this year, with the two leading roles announced. Following this, Lionsgate has been revealing the rest of the cast over the last month. Read on for all we know.
Joseph Zada as Haymitch Abernathy
Joseph Zada will be playing Haymitch Abernathy—a tribute from District 12 who competes in the 50th annual Hunger Games. In terms of securing the iconic role, according to the casting directors, “[Zada] prepared like crazy and stole our hearts.”
The 20-year-old Australian actor has previously starred in the Stan original series Invisible Boys, as well as the upcoming We Were Liars, and East of Eden series. With the latter two also being book adaptations—We Were Liars, a young-adult bestseller, and East of Eden, a John Steinbeck classic that he will star in alongside Florence Pugh and Mike Faist.
Whitney Peak as Lenore Dove Baird
Whitney Peak will portray Lenore Dove Baird—Haymitch’s girlfriend and a fellow District 12 resident. Producer Nina Jacobson told Variety that casting Peak was “one of those magical casting moments when you know your search has led you home.”
Peak is best known for her role as Zoya Lott in the 2021 Gossip Girl reboot, but has also starred in Hocus Pocus 2 and the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina series. The actress was also appointed a Chanel brand ambassador in 2021 and became the first Black woman to be the face of the Coco Mademoiselle fragrance in 2023.
Ralph Fiennes as President Snow
Ralph Fiennes will be portraying the abhorred dictator of Panem, President Snow. Tom Blyth took on the role for Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, while the late Donald Sutherland was the first to portray Snow in the original series.
The Oscar-nominated actor is best known for works such as Schindler’s List, The English Patient, and recently Conclave. As well as Maid in Manhattan, The Menu, and of course, for playing another iconic villain, Voldemort, in the Harry Potter franchise.
Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket
Elle Fanning will be taking on the role of Effie Trinket, who helps her sister with styling duties for the District 12 tributes. Originally played by Elizabeth Banks, the character becomes a Capitol fixture in her own right by the time we see her as an adult in The Hunger Games.
Most recently, Fanning has starred in the period dramedy series The Great, as well as the Oscar-nominated film A Complete Unknown alongside Timothée Chalamet. Previously, she has also appeared in Maleficent, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and Super 8.
Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman
Kieran Culkin will portray the eccentric TV host Caesar Flickerman, a role previously taken on by Stanley Tucci. “Stanley Tucci made Caesar unforgettable—and now Kieran will make the role entirely his own,” is what Lionsgate co-president Erin Westerman had to say on the casting.
The actor is best known for his Emmy Award-winning role as Roman Roy in the TV series Succession. More recently, he also won an Academy Award for his work in A Real Pain. Other appearances have included those in Home Alone, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, and She’s All That.
Mckenna Grace as Maysilee Donner
Mckenna Grace will play Maysilee Donner, who is one of the two female tributes from District 12.
The actress is no newcomer, having entered the acting profession at a young age, and has starred in countless roles in titles such as, I, Tonya, Captain Marvel, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, The Vampire Diaries, Once Upon a Time, The Haunting of Hill House, The Handmaid’s Tale, and many more. Her upcoming projects include Scream 7 and Freddy’s 2.
Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee
Jesse Plemons will play a young Plutarch Heavensbee. Previously portrayed by Phillip Seymour Hoffman, the character eventually becomes a gamemaker; however, in this earlier setting, he is a cameraperson who becomes involved in Haymitch’s life.
Plemons’ breakout role was in Friday Night Lights, and ever since, he has starred in films such as The Irishman, Judas and the Black Messiah, Killers of the Flower Moon, and The Power of the Dog. He has also starred in some incredible shows, including Breaking Bad and Fargo.
Off-screen, the actor is married to Kirsten Dunst, with whom he shares two children.
Maya Hawke as Wiress
Maya Hawke will be portraying the winner of the 49th Hunger Games—Wiress—who returns to mentor the tributes for the 50th. She was portrayed by Amanda Plummer in the original trilogy.
Hawke is most known for her breakout Stranger Things role, and has since starred in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Do Revenge, and as the voice of Anxiety in Inside Out 2.
Outside of her acting, Hawke is known for being the daughter of stars Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke.
Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Beetee
Kelvin Harrison Jr. plays the familiar Beetee—winner of the 34th Hunger Games—whose son is competing in the 50th. The role was portrayed by Jeffrey Wright in both Catching Fire and Mockingjay.
The actor is best known for his roles in The Trial of the Chicago 7, Godfather of Harlem, Elvis, and most recently for voicing Taka in Mufasa: The Lion King.
Lili Taylor as Mags Flanagan
Lili Taylor will be playing District 4’s Mags Flanagan—winner of the 11th Hunger Games and mentor in the 50th. Lynn Cohen previously portrayed the role in Catching Fire.
Taylor is known for ’80s film classics such as Mystic Pizza, as well as later roles in Rudy, High Fidelity, and The Conjuring. She has also starred in multiple series such as Marvel’s Daredevil: Born Again and Outer Range. Taylor has also ventured into the world of writing, with her book Turning to Birds: The Power and Beauty of Noticing.
This story originally appeared on GRAZIA International.
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