“Sunrise on the Reaping” Casts Young Haymitch and Lenore: Everything We Know About the New Hunger Games Prequel

Joseph Zada and Whitney Peak Join the Cast

Lionsgate has officially announced the casting for two major roles in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, the highly anticipated prequel to the blockbuster franchise. Joseph Zada will take on the role of a young Haymitch Abernathy, originally played by Woody Harrelson in The Hunger Games films. Meanwhile, Whitney Peak (Hocus Pocus 2, Gossip Girl) has been cast as Lenore Dove Baird, Haymitch’s ill-fated girlfriend.

The studio revealed that both actors stood out among hundreds of global contenders. Erin Westerman, co-president of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, praised their performances, stating: “Haymitch has always been a fan favorite, and his origin story is one of the most anticipated in the franchise. His relationship with Lenore Dove is deeply woven into the emotional history of Panem.”

What to Expect from the Story

Sunrise on the Reaping is based on Suzanne Collins’ fifth Hunger Games novel, released in June 2024, which sold 1.5 million copies in its first week. The story is set during the 50th Hunger Games (Second Quarter Quell), 24 years before Katniss Everdeen’s rebellion.

This installment will follow 16-year-old Haymitch Abernathy as he is reaped into the deadly competition. Known for his sharp wit and eventual alcoholism in the original series, this film will explore his traumatic past—including his doomed romance with Lenore and the brutal events that shaped him into the mentor we later meet in The Hunger Games.

A Box Office Powerhouse Continues

The Hunger Games franchise has grossed over $3 billion worldwide, and the last prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023), earned $348 million, proving the series still has massive appeal. With Sunrise on the Reaping scheduled for November 20, 2026, expectations are high.

Who Else Could Appear?

While the main cast has not been fully revealed, fans speculate whether other familiar faces from Panem’s history might appear, such as a younger President Snow (previously played by Donald Sutherland and Tom Blyth). Given that this is the Second Quarter Quell, known for its twisted rules, the games themselves are expected to be even more brutal than those seen in Catching Fire.

Final Thoughts

With a gripping story, fresh faces, and the return of a beloved character’s backstory, Sunrise on the Reaping is shaping up to be another hit. Will it surpass The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes? Only time will tell—but for now, the odds seem ever in its favor.

Are you excited for the new Hunger Games prequel? Let us know in the comments!

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