The world of The Hunger Games continues to expand with Sunrise on the Reaping, a prequel set 24 years before the events of the 2012 Hunger Games film. It tells the backstory of Haymitch Abernathy, Katniss’s mentor from the original film and book series, and his journey through the 50th Hunger Games.
The film is set to be released on November 20, 2026, with Francis Lawrence, who previously directed three of the four original Hunger Games films, returning to direct. In this article, we’ll be delving into the cast for the upcoming film – and why some of them might look familiar to you!
Joseph Zada as Haymitch Abernathy
Joseph Zada will portray a young Haymitch Abernathy, a role originated by Woody Harrelson in the 2012 film series. Zada is a relative newcomer to the film industry, but has appeared in a few TV series, including 2025’s Invisible Boys and 2024’s Total Control.
Whitney Peak as Lenore Dove Baird
Whitney Peak will play Haymitch’s love interest, Lenore Dove Baird, who is described as a Covey girl living in District 12. Peak is best known for playing Zoya Lott from the 2021 reboot of Gossip Girl and Becca from 2022’s Hocus Pocus 2.
Mckenna Grace as Maysilee Donner
Mckenna Grace plays District 12 tribute Maysilee Donner, a rebel who resents the Capitol for their cruelty, and who also happens to be the original owner of Katniss’s iconic mockingjay pin. The 18-year-old actress is known for playing Phoebe Spengler in Ghostbusters: Afterlife and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.
Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee
Jesse Plemons stars as Plutarch Heavensbee, a Capitol native who begins to question the motives behind the cruel Games. Plemons’ most iconic roles include Todd Alquist from Breaking Bad, and Robert Daly from the Black Mirror episode “USS Callister”, which earned him an Emmy nomination.
Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Beetee
Kelvin Harrison Jr. will portray Beetee, champion of the 34th Hunger Games, whose son Ampert is chosen for the 50th Hunger Games. Harrison’s most recent roles include voicing Scar for Mufasa: The Lion King, and portraying Martin Luther King in the 2024 TV series Genius.
Maya Hawke as Wiress
Maya Hawke plays Wiress, a tribute from District 3 and champion of the 49th Hunger Games. Hawke is known for playing Robin Buckley in Stranger Things, as well as lending her voice to Anxiety in Inside Out 2.
Lili Taylor as Mags
Lili Taylor will play Mags, a former Hunger Games champion who becomes a mentor to Haymitch during the 50th Hunger Games. Some roles you might have seen her in include Carolyn from The Conjuring, Mary in Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials, and Mary Todd Lincoln from Manhunt.
Ben Wang as Wyatt Callow
Ben Wang is set to play Wyatt Callow, a District 12 tribute who comes from a line of gamblers. His family, the Booker Boys, organise bets on the Hunger Games, including betting on which children would be reaped for the Games. Wang is best known for playing Jin in the Disney+ series American Born Chinese.
Ralph Fiennes as President Snow
Ralph Fiennes will portray the tyrannical President Coriolanus Snow, a role originally portayed by the late Donald Sutherland. Fiennes is no stranger to movie villains, having played Lord Voldemort in four of the seven Harry Potter films; but has also taken on more grounded roles, such as Cardinal Lawrence in 2024’s Conclave.
Molly McCann/Iona Bell as Louella McCoy
Louella McCoy is one of two female tributes from District 12, who was selected for the 50th Hunger Games. Without giving away too much for non-book readers, let’s just say that unexpected events transpire that require Louella to use a body double, nicknamed “Lou Lou” by the other tributes.
Louella will be played by Irish actress Molly McCann, who was nominated for the IFTA Best Supporting Actress award for her performance in HERSELF; while Lou Lou will be portrayed by Iona Bell, who made her debut in a short film titled Pulp By Rind.
Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket
Elle Fanning will play Effie Trinket, a stylist and Capitol celebrity originally portrayed by Elizabeth Banks in the 2012 film. While she first came into the public eye for being the sister of established actress Dakota Fanning, she has since carved out a name for herself in films and TV series such as Maleficent, The Girl From Plainsville, and A Complete Unknown.
Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman
Last but certainly not least, we have Kieran Culkin starring in the role of Caesar Flickerman, the host who narrates and oversees the Hunger Games. He is the brother of Home Alone’s Macaulay Culkin, and recently starred in A Real Pain as Benji Kaplan, a role which earned him a BAFTA for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.
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