The cinematic odds are in the favour of the upcoming Hunger Games prequel, with the Haymitch origin story delivering a certifiably stacked cast. The latest to join the ranks? Elle Fanning.
Fresh off the acclaimed Bob Dylan biopic, Fanning, 27, will star as a young Effie Trinket in The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping . Fans of the film franchise will already know the role of Effie was originated by Elizabeth Banks.
Banks took to Instagram to send Fanning some well wishes for the role, sharing The Hunger Games’ official casting announcement and writing “Congrats @ellefanning”.
Cast news for Sunrise On The Reaping has been dropping rapidly since news of the film’s key stars arrived in April. The film will follow the story of Haymitch Abernathy, who won a Hunger Games before becoming a mentor to Katniss and Peeta in the original series. In the films, Haymitch was played by Woody Harrelson.
Ready to revisit the reaping? Keep scrolling to learn everything we know about the upcoming Hunger Games prequel.
Who will play young Haymitch in The Hunger Games prequel film?
Australian actor Joseph Zada has been cast in the role of a young Haymitch Abernathy in the upcoming Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping film. The film will take place 24 years before the timeline of the original Hunger Games series, when Haymitch was reaped for his own Games—which he eventually won, but not without traumatic personal cost.
Zada, 20, is best known for the series We Were Liars, which also stars Esther McGregor (daughter of Ewan McGregor) and Mamie Gummer (daughter of Meryl Streep).
The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping cast announcements
Model and Gossip Girl actress Whitney Peak will play opposite Joseph Zada as Haymitch’s love interest, Lenore.
Upon the announcement of Peak and Zada’s casting, production company Lionsgate released a statement, saying: “The Hunger Games franchise has long been a launching pad for remarkable young actors, and Jo and Whitney carry that legacy forward with their incredible heart, depth, and fire. After auditioning hundreds of gifted performers from around the world, these two stood out – not just for their talent, but for the emotional truth they brought to these iconic roles.”
Since then, a series of other A-list cast members have been announced, including Ralph Fiennes as a (younger) President Snow. President Snow has already been played by two actors: Donald Sutherland, who portrayed the villainous president in the original series, and Tom Blyth in another prequel film, The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes.
Stranger Things star Maya Hawke has also nabbed a role as the young Wiress. All in all, notable cast members include:
- Joseph Zada as Haymitch Abernathy
- Whitney Peak as Lenore Dove Baird
- Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket
- Ralph Fiennes as President Coriolanus Snow
- Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee
- Mckenna Grace as Maysilee Donner
- Maya Hawke as Wiress
- Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Beetee
- Lili Taylor as Mags
- Ben Wang as Wyatt Callow
What is The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping about?
Set 24 years before the story of Katniss Everdeen, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping follows the events of the Second Quarter Quell and the 50th Hunger Games from the perspective of District 12 tribute, Haymitch Abernathy.
Unlike the annual Hunger Games, the Second Quarter Quell features a cruel twist – each district must send four tributes instead of two. Alongside tributes Wyatt, Maysilee, and Lou Lou, 16-year-old Haymitch is thrown into the treacherous arena, with nearly everything in the game being highly poisonous.
The novel explores themes of survival and rebellion, providing backstories for many of the franchise’s original characters. Sunrise on the Reaping also takes fans deeper into Haymitch’s world and the games’ tragic aftermath, including the deaths of his loved ones, orchestrated by President Snow.
When does The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping take place?
The newest Hunger Games film takes place 24 years before the story of the original four films, which featured Haymitch as Katniss and Peeta’s Hunger Games mentor.
In relation to the most recent prequel film, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Sunrise on the Reaping takes place 40 years after Coriolanus Snow’s involvement in the 10th Hunger Games, leading many fans to believe that a middle-aged President Snow may make an appearance in the newest film.
When is The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping release date?
In good news for Hunger Games fans, the story of young Haymitch Abernathy has already hit bookshelves, with the Sunrise on the Reaping novel released worldwide on March 15, 2025.
If you’d rather wait to experience the story on the big screen, the newest Hunger Games prequel film will debut in cinemas on November 20, 2026.
Where to watch The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping
While there still may be a while to wait until The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping hits our screens, you can catch up on all four original Hunger Games films and The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes now on Prime Video.
Stream The Hunger Games on Prime Video from $9.99/month with a 30-day free trial. Subscribe here.
