Casting is underway for
"The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping", which is set to begin shooting this July. The film be directed by series veteran helmer
Francis Lawrence from a script by
Billy Ray (
"Hunger Games"). So far,
Joseph Zada and
Whitney Peak have been cast as the leads, District 12 tribute Haymitch Abernathy and his girlfriend Lenore Dove Baird.
Jesse Plemons also joined the cast as a young version of Plutarch Heavensbee. Plutarch was portrayed by
Philip Seymour Hoffman in the original films, while Haymitch was played by
Woody Harrelson.
"Sunrise on the Reaping" is set to be released in theaters on November 20, 2026.
Based on the bestselling novel of the same name by
"Hunger Games" author
Suzanne Collins, the film takes place 40 years after the events of prequel
"The Ballads of Songbirds & Snakes" and 24 years before Katniss Everdeen's trilogy.
"Sunrise on the Reaping" opens with the young Plutarch Heavensbee in District 12, capturing the reaping of the Tributes there for the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell. The book sold 1.5 million copies in its first week on sale in the U.S., U.K., Ireland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. In the US it sold 1.2 million copies, which is twice the first week sales of
"The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" and three times the first week sales of
"Mockingjay".
Color Force's
Nina Jacobson and
Brad Simpson will produce.
Cameron MacConomy will executive produce.
Meredith Wieck and
Scott O'Brien are overseeing the project for Lionsgate.
Lionsgate Motion Picture Group co-president
Erin Westerman had this to say about the casting:
"'The Hunger Games' franchise has long been a launching pad for remarkable young actors, and Jo and Whitney carry that legacy forward with incredible heart, depth, and fire. After auditioning hundreds of gifted performers from around the world, these two stood out—not just for their talent, but for the emotional truth they brought to these iconic roles. Haymitch has always been a fan favorite, and his origin story is one of the most anticipated in the franchise. His relationship with Lenore Dove is deeply woven into the emotional history of Panem. We can't wait for fans to experience the story that shaped one of the most compelling characters in the series."
Westerman also added:
"Jesse is one of the most talented actors of his generation, with a proven record of picking his roles selectively. We are honored that he has chosen to bring his own take to one of the most fascinating figures in Panem, and feel that his previous collaboration with Philip Seymour Hoffman makes it all the more special. His Plutarch will be both a tribute to the character fans have already come to know and a portrayal he makes his own. We can't wait for audiences to see it."
Plemons is next set to star in director
Alejandro G. Iñárritu's new film and in
Yorgos Lanthimos'
"Bugonia" opposite
Emma Stone.
Zada will next be seen in Amazon's series
"We Were Liars" which premieres in June, and also completed production for Netflix’s "
East of Eden" in which he stars alongside
Florence Pugh. Zada currently stars in the lead role in the Stan Australia original series
"Invisible Boys" based on the bestselling novel by
Holden Sheppard.
Peak is set to lead Sony's upcoming shark thriller
"Shiver" alongside
Phoebe Dynevor, and is set to star opposite
Liam Neeson and
Teresa Palmer in
"4 Kids Walk into a Bank" for Amazon MGM's Orion label.
