For years, fans of “The Hunger Games” begged for the backstory of Haymitch Abernathy, the rugged mentor of District 12 heroine Katniss Everdeen. On March 18, “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping” was finally released. The book sold over a million copies in its first week and has taken over social media.
Akin to the previous four installments in the franchise created by Suzanne Collins, a film adaptation of “Sunrise on the Reaping“ is currently in development. The casting for this movie carries a unique weight, as many of its characters have already been portrayed in the original three “Hunger Games“ movies, released from 2012 to 2015. Each actor will undoubtedly have large shoes to fill – whether they’re stepping into a role previously played by a performance legend or originating a new but similarly beloved character from Collins’ latest novel.
As of April 25, the following cast members have already been announced:
Haymitch Abernathy – Joseph Zada
Haymitch Abernathy is the story’s main character, originally played by Woody Harrelson in the 2010s “Hunger Games“ films. Teenage Abernathy in “Sunrise on the Reaping“ is distinctly more innocent and hopeful than Harrelson’s alcoholic supporting character.
Lenore Dove Baird – Whitney Peak
Lenore Dove Baird, Abernathy’s girlfriend, often shows up fondly in his memories of his life before being thrust into the Hunger Games. Whitney Peak bears a striking resemblance to the talented Rachel Zegler, who played Lenore Dove Baird’s distant relative Lucy Gray Baird in 2023’s “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.”
Maysilee Donner – Mckenna Grace
Maysilee Donner, a fellow tribute alongside Abernathy in the 50th Hunger Games, will be played by popular Gen Z actress Mckenna Grace. The character has quickly become a fan favorite because of her strong personality, and Grace will be sure to deliver some iconic lines.
Plutarch Heavensbee – Jesse Plemons
In the original trilogy, the late and great Philip Seymour Hoffman portrayed Plutarch Heavensbee. Jesse Plemons and Hoffman actually played father and son onscreen in “The Master,” so this casting seems almost natural. Heavensbee is a unique Panem Capitol citizen who quietly assists the anti-government rebellion behind the scenes.
Moving on to speculation: Who will play the characters whose casting has yet to be announced?
Wyatt Callow and Louella McCoy
The other two District 12 tributes who were reaped alongside Abernathy and Donner will likely be portrayed by young, relatively unknown actors. This was already seen in the casting for Abernathy and Lenore Dove Baird, as well as 2023’s leads Tom Blyth and Zegler.
Mags Flanagan – Amy Adams
Mags Flanagan showed up in 2013’s “Catching Fire” as a weary old woman, portrayed by the late Lynn Cohen. In “Sunrise on the Reaping,” Mags will be 25 years younger. She will likely have a small but integral role in the film. Fans have pitched Amy Adams, known for a slew of beloved acting credits and her trademark red hair – the color which Mags is said to have sported in her younger years.
Wiress – Natalia Dyer
Another minor yet influential character in “Sunrise on the Reaping,” Wiress won the Hunger Games the year prior to Abernathy. Amanda Plummer played the role in “Catching Fire,” and while Dyer, a star of “Stranger Things,” might not be up to play a supporting character with such little screen time, she bears some similarities and has the acting chops.
Beetee Latier – Justice Smith
While Wiress and Beetee Latier seemingly came as a package deal in “Catching Fire,” Latier’s character has a different, unique and ultimately heartbreaking arc in “Sunrise on the Reaping.” Originally played by Jeffrey Wright, many have rallied behind the idea of Justice Smith to take on the part of District 3’s genius victor.
Effie Trinket – Elle Fanning
Elizabeth Banks and Harrelson made an indelible mark on pop culture with their chemistry as Effie Trinket and Abernathy, respectively. While Trinket has a much smaller part to play in “Sunrise on the Reaping,” her actress must be able to seamlessly connect her younger portrayal with Banks’ quirky and aloof Capitol citizen, known for her outlandish outfits and distinct voice. Fanning has allegedly been offered the role and could hopefully pull it off.
Caesar Flickerman – Kieran Culkin or … Stanley Tucci?
2025 Academy Award winner Kieran Culkin has reportedly been in conversation to portray Panem’s talk show host. While Culkin is talented and would likely do the part justice, this is probably the only role that could be played by the same actor from the original series. Physically speaking, Caesar’s character stands out for his somewhat eerie, unchanging appearance over the years (likely due to a slew of fictional plastic surgeries and stylistic alterations). Although Stanley Tucci has aged in the past decade or so, some Hollywood makeup could easily disguise that, perhaps even adding to the uncanny effect of a Capitol citizen.
President Coriolanus Snow – Ralph Fiennes
Panem’s President Snow was portrayed by Blyth in the Snow-centered prequel “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes“ and by the late Donald Sutherland in the original series. “Sunrise on the Reaping“ will see Snow’s character exist between Blyth’s ambitious student and Sutherland’s calculated, reserved dictator. Arguably the most difficult and anticipated of this film’s casting, fans have suggested Donald Sutherland’s son, Kiefer Sutherland. However, frequent villain portrayer Ralph Fiennes could also serve as an excellent middleman between Blyth and Sutherland.
Ultimately, “Sunrise on the Reaping“ is the newest installment in one of the 21st century’s most defining works of literature and film. To the entire cast and crew – may the odds be ever in your favor.
“The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping“ is slated for a release Nov. 20, 2026.
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Featured Image via Scholastic Press
