Lionsgate has officially announced the casting for its much-hyped Hunger Games prequel film, Sunrise on the Reaping, and the internet? Absolutely ablaze. The film will dive into the haunting story of the 50th Hunger Games — the Second Quarter Quell — the very same Games that crowned Haymitch Abernathy, District 12’s notoriously cynical mentor (and low-key fan favorite), as victor.
So, who’s stepping into the arena this time?
Meet your new Haymitch and Lenore Dove Baird: Joseph Zada and Whitney Peak.
And yes, they already look like they’re going to break our hearts.
A Quick Refresher: What Is Sunrise on the Reaping All About?
In case you missed the BookTok frenzy last year, Sunrise on the Reaping is the latest entry in Suzanne Collins’s dystopian saga. It explores the brutal 50th Hunger Games, where a young Haymitch Abernathy outwitted the Capitol in one of the series’ most unforgettable backstories. The book deepens the tragic complexity of a character we’ve only seen through the grizzled lens of Woody Harrelson‘s iconic performance — and fans have been begging for this story ever since it was teased in Catching Fire.
In true Quarter Quell fashion, these Games were twice as cruel, featuring double the tributes and emotional stakes that left Panem — and Haymitch — permanently scarred.
Think The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes meets Gladiator… with even more emotional damage.
The Big Casting Reveal: Joseph Zada & Whitney Peak Take the Spotlight
After months of speculation (and endless fancasts on Twitter and Reddit), Lionsgate finally dropped the casting bombshell. Joseph Zada, the rising Australian actor, will portray the younger version of Haymitch Abernathy. Alongside him, Whitney Peak steps into the role of Lenore Dove Baird, a character who, in the novel, serves as both a Capitol foil and emotional thread in Haymitch’s arc.
Lionsgate’s co-president Erin Westerman called them “lightning in a bottle,” saying in a press statement:
“Joseph and Whitney brought something electric to the screen tests. They captured the fire, vulnerability, and strength Suzanne [Collins] wrote into these roles. We couldn’t be more thrilled.”
Fans wasted zero time jumping in with reactions — from “Zada is giving vintage District 12!” to “Whitney Peak as Lenore Dove?? That’s ICON behavior.” Tumblr tags have already begun their inevitable spiral into aesthetically tragic gifs and fancast collages.
And yes, side-by-sides of Woody Harrelson and Zada are circulating fast. Spoiler: the resemblance works.
Who Is Joseph Zada? Meet the Man Behind Young Haymitch
If you’re scratching your head and wondering, wait, who?, you’re not alone — and that’s kind of the point.
Fans long called for an unknown actor to play young Haymitch, someone who could fully embody the weight of this role without Hollywood baggage. And Joseph Zada fits the bill.
The 24-year-old actor hails from Sydney and first made waves in the Australian drama Invisible Boys. He then appeared in the critically acclaimed Total Control, and will next be seen in the upcoming We Were Liars series and a modern-day adaptation of East of Eden. Clearly, his star is on the rise — and this role could launch him into full-blown Katniss-level stardom.
Zada, in a brief post to Instagram Stories, simply said:
“I can’t believe I get to bring Haymitch’s story to life. Thank you, Suzanne. Thank you, fans. Let’s do this.”
Read More:
- Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’s Unstoppable Legacy – A Statue, a Musical, and More!
- Oscars 2025: Emilia Pérez Leads 97th Academy Awards Nominations, Marking a Historic Moment in Cinema
- Universal’s “Wolf Man” Has Officially Unleashed Its Howl in Theaters
Whitney Peak Is Already Giving Capitol Core
Let’s just say it now: Whitney Peak is booked, busy, and thriving.
At just 22, the Ugandan-Canadian actress has already stacked a résumé that would make any Capitol socialite jealous. After making her film debut in Molly’s Game, she gained traction with roles in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and as the lead in HBO Max’s Gossip Girl reboot. She later joined the cast of Hocus Pocus 2 and made history as the first Black face of Chanel’s Coco Mademoiselle fragrance.
And now? She’s diving headfirst into Panem.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Peak wrote:
“To be part of this world is a dream. Lenore Dove Baird is complex, sharp, and full of surprises. I can’t wait for you to meet her.”
We can already see the “Capitol It Girl” edits incoming.
Rachel Zegler, star of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, quickly welcomed her to the franchise family on Instagram:
“SHE’S HERE welcome to Panem, Whitney!!! ”
Franchise queens supporting queens? We love to see it.
The Hunger Games Legacy Marches On
What started as a YA dystopian novel in 2008 has become one of the most culturally iconic franchises of the 21st century. From Jennifer Lawrence‘s breakout turn as Katniss Everdeen to the box-office smash of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, The Hunger Games universe has launched careers, sparked revolutions (both fictional and fan-made), and given us enough quotable moments to last a lifetime.
Now, Zada and Peak join this legacy — and, let’s be honest, the fandom is ready for it.
With each new generation of tributes and Capitol schemers, we’re reminded that the Games may be fictional, but the emotional stakes? Real.
So Who’s Next? Let the Fan-Casting Begin!
The rest of the cast hasn’t been announced yet, but that hasn’t stopped fans from dreaming big. Some of the buzziest suggestions include:
- Elle Fanning as a young Effie Trinket
- Manny Jacinto as a new Capitol gamemaker
- Storm Reid as a fellow District 12 tribute or arena ally
- Rami Malek as a morally gray Capitol strategist (yes, please)
No official word yet, but with production slated to start this fall, we can expect more casting drops — and inevitable TikTok breakdowns — soon.
What’s Next for Sunrise on the Reaping?
Here’s what we know so far:
- Director: Francis Lawrence (returning from the original franchise and The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes)
- Screenwriter: Billy Ray (Captain Phillips, Richard Jewell)
- Release Date: November 20, 2026
- Filming begins: Fall 2025
Expect first-look photos, teaser trailers, Capitol Couture profiles, and maybe even a haunting Taylor Swift ballad if the gods are kind.
Let’s Hear From You, Tributes
We want to know:
- Who would you love to see cast next?
- What scene from Haymitch’s Games do you need to see brought to life?
- Should there be another Jennifer Lawrence cameo? (Answer: Yes. Always yes.)
Sound off in the comments, and may the fandom discourse be ever in your favor.
The countdown to the Second Quarter Quell begins now.
And if the casting of Joseph Zada and Whitney Peak is any clue, we’re in for a devastatingly good ride.
