The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, directed by franchise veteran Francis Lawrence, is gearing up for its highly anticipated release next year — marking the series’ return to the big screen for the first time since The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes.
Although it’s the newest installment, the film takes audiences back decades before Katniss Everdeen (played by Jennifer Lawrence) stepped forward as tribute. This prequel dives into the origins of Haymitch Abernathy — portrayed by Woody Harrelson in the original films — and the brutal events of the 50th Hunger Games, better known as the Second Quarter Quell.
“Haymitch has always been a fan favorite, and his origin story is one of the most anticipated in the franchise,”co-president of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Erin Westerman said in a press release. “We can’t wait for fans to experience the story that shaped one of the most compelling characters in the series.”
Led by Joseph Zada as young Haymitch, the prequel introduces a fresh cast of rising stars and familiar faces stepping into the world of Panem. Among those familiar faces will be Jennifer and Josh, who will reprise their roles as Katniss and Peeta, respectively, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Here’s who is starring in this long-awaited return to the arena.
Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen
Though her appearance might be brief, it’s still a huge moment for the original heroine of the franchise. Per The Hollywood Reporter, the actress is reprising her role as Katniss in a “flash-forward scene.” The scene in question likely refers to the epilogue of the book when Haymitch bonds with Katniss and Peeta as they grow up.
Josh Hutcherson
Per THR, Josh is reprising his original role as Peeta in the “flash-forward scene.” The I Love LA actor kept any details of his return a secret while he was hard at work promoting his other projects.
Joseph Zada as Haymitch Abernathy
Zada, a 20-year-old Australian actor, takes on the role of young Haymitch Abernathy, the sole male tribute from District 12 in the 50th Hunger Games. Zada has previously appeared in Australian productions such as Invisible Boys and Total Control. He’s also set to appear in the upcoming series We Were Liars and East of Eden, starring alongside Florence Pugh.
Casting a younger version of such a well-established character was no small task. In a March 2025 interview with Variety, producer Nina Jacobson acknowledged the difficulty of finding someone who could embody the essence of Haymitch without mimicking Harrelson’s original portrayal.
“Nobody can be Woody Harrelson but Woody Harrelson,” she said. “You don’t want somebody who’s impersonating Woody, but you want somebody who very credibly feels like they could be a young version of this character, before the trauma and grief and rage that the fallout of the Games create.”
Whitney Peak as Lenore Dove Baird
Whitney Peak, 22, portrays Lenore Dove Baird, Haymitch’s girlfriend and a member of the Covey, a musical group from District 12. Peak is known for her roles in the Gossip Girl reboot and Hocus Pocus 2.
Mckenna Grace as Maysilee Donner
Mckenna Grace plays Maysilee Donner, another tribute from District 12 and a temporary ally of Haymitch during the Games. At just 19, Grace is already a seasoned film and television actor, with standout roles in Ghostbusters: Afterlife, The Handmaid’s Tale, and Young Sheldon.
Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee
Jesse Plemons plays Plutarch Heavensbee, a rising figure in the Capitol who becomes crucial to the future of Panem. The 37-year-old actor is known for his acclaimed performances in The Power of the Dog, Breaking Bad, and Fargo.
“Jesse is one of the most talented actors of his generation, with a proven record of picking his roles selectively,” Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Co-President Westerman said in a statement, per Deadline. “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.”
Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket
Ellen Fanning will be playing the younger version of Effie Trinket, the iconic character from the original franchise who lived with the term, “May the Odds Be Ever in Your Favor.” Elle has appeared in a slew of projects, some of which include A Complete Unknown, The Girl From Plainville and Maleficent.
Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman
First played by Stanley Tucci, Caesar Flickerman will now be 24 years younger than when we first met him in The Hunger Games. The buoyant and charismatic show host is known for his on-screen charm as he welcomes tributes onto the stage before they fight to the death. In Sunrise, Caesar will be played by Kieran Culkin.
Kieran has been seen in a variety of roles but has recently earned more accolades for his work. Some of his most notable performances are in Succession and in A Real Pain, for which he won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.
Billy Porter as Lucretius “Lucky” Flickerman
Before Caesar Flickerman became the face of Capitol pageantry, there was Lucretius “Lucky” Flickerman—his flamboyant and trailblazing predecessor. In Sunrise on the Reaping, Lucky is the Capitol’s original Hunger Games host, introducing audiences to the twisted spectacle for the first time.
Lucky Flickerman will be portrayed by Billy Porter, whose commanding stage presence and sharp delivery make him a natural fit for the Capitol spotlight. Porter is best known for his Emmy-winning role in Pose, as well as his groundbreaking appearances on Broadway and red carpets.
Glenn Close as Casca Highbottom
Casca Highbottom, the dean of the Academy, is the somber intellectual credited with creating the Hunger Games—though not by choice. In Sunrise on the Reaping, she is portrayed later in life as the Games approach their 50th anniversary.
Veteran actress Glenn Close takes on the role of Casca Highbottom. A seven-time Oscar nominee, Close is revered for her powerful performances in films like Fatal Attraction, The Wife, and Hillbilly Elegy.
