By Ren Azrack L. Escosio
The Hunger Games’ official X account has announced that actor Joseph Zada will serve as the young Haymitch Abernathy for the upcoming “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping” film.
According to the official social media account, the film will hit cinemas in November 2026.
It will revolve around the latest book of Suzanne Collins, Sunrise on the Reaping, which was released on March 18, 2025.
Collins’ latest publication is the second prequel to the popular adult dystopian saga.
It focuses on the 50th Hunger Games and how the young Abernathy managed to win the competition.
Francis Lawrence is set to return as director of the fifth Hunger Games film, following the success of the “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” film in 2023.
Lionsgate will also lead the production of the upcoming film.
Young Haymitch
Joseph Zada is known for his role in the Australian series Invisible Boys before being announced as the young Haymitch Abernathy.
Haymitch plays an important role in the first three Hunger Games novels since he served as a mentor for lead character Katniss Everdeen, who was played by Jennifer Lawrence in the first film adaptation in 2012.
“Haymitch has always been a fan favourite, and his origin story is one of the most anticipated in the franchise. His relationship with Lenore Dove is deeply woven into Panem’s emotional history.
“We can’t wait for fans to experience the story that shaped one of the most compelling characters in the series,” Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Co-President Erin Westerman told Deadline, as cited by EuroNews.
Whitney Peak was chosen to act as Lenore Dove for the film adaptation.
The Ugandan-Canadian actress appeared in HBO’s “Gossip Girl” revival.
Westerman shared that the upcoming film will serve as a nice launching pad for the careers of both Zada and Peak.
“The Hunger Games franchise has long been a launching pad for remarkable young actors, and Jo (Zada) and Whitney (Peak) carry that legacy forward with incredible heart, depth, and fire,” she was also quoted as saying by Deadline.
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Other cast revealed
Fans of the Hunger Games saga can follow the official X account of the franchise to know more about the other artists who will star in the film.
Mckenna Grace will be Maysille Donner in the film. Grace is known for her role as Phoebe Spengler from the 2021 film “Ghostbusters: Afterlife.”
Meanwhile, Jesse Plemons is also part of the official cast for the highly anticipated film.
He was chosen to become the young Plutarch Heavensbee.
Heavensbee is also an important character in the second film after serving as Head Gamemaker for the 75th Hunger Games in the “Catching Fire” film released in 2013.
The adult Heavensbee was played by actor Philip Seymour Hoffman, who passed away in 2014.
He was given a special tribute during the release of the “Mockingjay” films in 2014 and 2015.
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