The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, directed by Francis Lawrence, a veteran of the franchise, will be the first Hunger Games movie to hit theaters since The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. This highly anticipated movie will come out next year.
The movie is the most recent in the series, but it takes viewers back in time to decades before Katniss Everdeen (played by Jennifer Lawrence) came forward as a tribute. This prequel goes into more detail about Haymitch Abernathy’s past, who Woody Harrelson played in the first set of movies, and the horrible things that happened during the 50th Hunger Games, which are more commonly known as the Second Quarter Quell.
In a press release, Erin Westerman, co-president of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, said, “Haymitch has always been a fan favorite, and his origin story is one of the most anticipated in the franchise.” “We are very excited for the fans to be able to see the story that made one of the most interesting characters in the series.”
The prequel introduces a new cast of rising stars and familiar faces to the world of Panem. Joseph Zada plays young Haymitch in the lead role. The Hollywood Reporter says that Jennifer and Josh, who will play Katniss and Peeta again, will be two of the familiar faces in the movie.
Here is a list of the performers who will be in this long-awaited return to the arena.
Jennifer Lawrence plays Katniss Everdeen in the movie.
Even though she only appears for a short time, this is still a big moment for the franchise’s original main character. The Hollywood Reporter says that the actress will be playing Katniss again in a “flash-forward scene.” The scene in question is most likely the book’s epilogue, which is when Haymitch gets to know Katniss and Peeta as they grow up.
This is Josh Hutcherson.
Josh is said to be playing Peeta in the “flash-forward scene,” which is the same role he played in the first movie. The I Love LA actor didn’t say anything about his return because he was busy working hard to promote his other projects.
Joseph Zada plays Haymitch Abernathy.
In the 50th Hunger Games, Zada, a 20-year-old Australian actor, plays the role of young Haymitch Abernathy, the only male tribute from District 12 in the whole competition. Zada has been in a number of Australian shows before, such as Total Control and Invisible Boys of Australia. He will also be in the new TV shows We Were Liars and East of Eden, where he will co-star with Florence Pugh.
It wasn’t easy to find someone to play a younger version of such a well-known character. In March 2025, producer Nina Jacobson told Variety that it was hard to find someone who could capture the essence of Haymitch without copying Harrelson’s original performance of the character.
She said, “Nobody can be Woody Harrelson but Woody Harrelson.” “You don’t want someone who is pretending to be Woody, but you do want someone who really believes they could be a young version of this character before the trauma, grief, and rage that came from the Games,” the actor said.
Whitney Peak plays the part of Lenore Dove Baird.
Whitney Peak, who is 22 years old, plays Lenore Dove Baird, Haymitch’s girlfriend and a member of the musical group Covey from District 12. People know her best from the new Gossip Girl and the sequel to Hocus Pocus.
Mckenna Grace plays the part of Maysilee Donner.
In the context of the Games, Mckenna Grace plays Maysilee Donner, another tribute from District 12 who is a temporary ally of Haymitch. Grace has already made a name for herself as an experienced actor in movies and TV shows. She has had important roles in movies like Ghostbusters: Afterlife, The Handmaid’s Tale, and Young Sheldon. She is just 19 years old.
As Plutarch Heavensbee, Jesse Plemons
During the show, Jesse Plemons plays Plutarch Heavensbee, a rising star in the Capitol who will be very important to the future of Panem. The 37-year-old actor is best known for his roles in the critically acclaimed TV shows Fargo, Breaking Bad, and The Power of the Dog.
Deadline says that Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Co-President Westerman said in a statement, “Jesse is one of the most talented actors of his generation, and he has a history of picking his roles carefully.” This is what Westerman said. We are very proud that he has chosen to bring his own point of view to one of the most interesting characters in Panem. We also think that the fact that he has worked with Philip Seymour Hoffman in the past makes this project even more impressive. He will create his own Plutarch character, both as a tribute to the one that fans already know and as a new character. You can feel the audience’s excitement to see it.
Elle Fanning plays Effie Trinket in the movie.
Elle Fanning will play the younger version of Effie Trinket, the famous character from the original series who always said, “May the odds be ever in your favor.” The phrase was used by a character named Effie Trinket. Elle has been in a lot of movies, including A Complete Unknown, The Girl From Plainville, and Maleficent.
Kieran Culkin plays Caesar Flickerman in the movie.
The character of Caesar Flickerman, who was first played by Stanley Tucci, will now be 24 years younger than when we first saw him in The Hunger Games. The lively and charming host of the show is famous for his on-screen charm, which he shows by inviting tributes to the stage before they fight to the death. Kieran Culkin will play the role of Caesar in the movie Sunrise.
Kieran has played a lot of different parts, but he has recently received more awards for his great work. He gave some of his best performances in the movies Succession and A Real Pain, for which he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Billy Porter plays the part of Lucretius “Lucky” Flickerman.
Lucretius “Lucky” Flickerman, who came before Caesar Flickerman, was a colorful and innovative figure in the world of Capitol pageantry. He became the face of Capitol pageantry before Caesar Flickerman. In the context of Sunrise on the Reaping, Lucky is the original host of the Hunger Games for the Capitol. This is the first time the audience sees the twisted show.
Billy Porter will play the role of Lucky Flickerman. He is a natural choice for the spotlight at the Capitol because he has a strong stage presence and a sharp delivery. Porter is still best known for his groundbreaking performances on Broadway and at red carpet events, as well as for winning an Emmy for his role in the TV show Pose.
As Casca Highbottom, Glenn Close
Casca Highbottom, the dean of the Academy, is the serious thinker who came up with the Hunger Games. But he didn’t want to make the Hunger Games. Sunrise on the Reaping shows her later in life, as the Games get closer and closer to their 50th anniversary.
This production will feature Glenn Close, a well-known actress, as Casca Highbottom. People love Close for her strong performances in movies like Fatal Attraction, The Wife, and Hillbilly Elegy. She has been nominated for the Academy Award seven times.
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