Joseph Zada and Whitney Peak to Star in New Hunger Games Prequel: Sunrise on the Reaping
Joseph Zada and Whitney Peak are set to lead the next chapter in Panem’s history with The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. The fan-favourite franchise returns with a gripping new prequel exploring the origin story of Haymitch Abernathy.
Panem Reawakens: Meet the New Faces of the Reaping
The Hunger Games universe is expanding once again, and this time, fans are heading back to the arena with a younger version of one of the franchise’s most beloved and complex characters—Haymitch Abernathy. In a thrilling announcement that’s already sending shockwaves through the fanbase, Joseph Zada and Whitney Peak have been officially cast in the lead roles of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, the long-anticipated fifth instalment in the blockbuster series.
Set to premiere in November 2026, this prequel dives deep into the emotional and violent backstory of the 50th Hunger Games—also known as the Second Quarter Quell—and it promises to reveal a very different side of Panem through the eyes of a 16-year-old Haymitch.
Joseph Zada as Young Haymitch: A Star on the Rise
Taking on the mantle of a younger Haymitch is Joseph Zada, a rising star with critically praised performances in the Australian coming-of-age series Invisible Boys and Netflix’s upcoming adaptation of East of Eden.
At just 20 years old, Joseph Zada brings a raw intensity and vulnerability that perfectly suits the role of the smart, sarcastic, and emotionally scarred District 12 victor. For long-time fans who remember Woody Harrelson’s gritty portrayal of the older Haymitch, this casting feels like a poetic prelude—Joseph Zada appears poised to honor the legacy while forging his own identity in the Capitol’s brutal games.
Whitney Peak as Lenore Dove Baird: A New Tragic Heroine
Opposite Joseph Zada is Whitney Peak, known for her roles in the Gossip Girl reboot and Hocus Pocus 2. She plays Lenore Dove Baird, Haymitch’s girlfriend and a new character created by Suzanne Collins for the prequel novel.
Lenore is described as a fiercely independent and emotionally rich character, whose fate is deeply tied to Haymitch’s transformation into the broken but battle-hardened man we meet decades later in the original trilogy. The emotional complexity of their relationship is expected to be one of the film’s central pillars.
A Return to the Arena: The 50th Hunger Games Reimagined
Sunrise on the Reaping takes place 24 years before Katniss Everdeen’s rebellion and will explore the 50th Hunger Games—a special edition of the annual event in which twice as many tributes (48) were forced to fight to the death.
For long-time fans, this is a monumental moment in Hunger Games lore. Haymitch’s Quarter Quell is infamous for its cruelty, and it was the first time we saw a victor from District 12 since Lucy Gray Baird, featured in the previous prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
The new story promises to delve deeper into the political manipulation, emotional trauma, and harrowing brutality that defined the Capitol’s control over Panem in its darkest days.
Suzanne Collins & Francis Lawrence Reunite
The prequel is based on Suzanne Collins’ latest novel, released on March 18, 2025. Once again, Francis Lawrence returns to direct, continuing his long-standing relationship with the Hunger Games franchise, having previously helmed Catching Fire, Mockingjay Part 1 & 2, and The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
With Collins writing and Lawrence directing, expectations are sky-high for a film that blends gritty action with deeply human storytelling—a formula that made the original trilogy a cultural phenomenon.
Lionsgate Speaks Out: A New Generation of Talent
In a statement to Deadline, Erin Westerman, Co-President of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, celebrated the casting decision:
“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.”
Westerman also highlighted the importance of Haymitch’s backstory, calling it “one of the most anticipated narratives in the Hunger Games universe.”
The Franchise’s Continued Legacy
The announcement of Sunrise on the Reaping confirms what fans already suspected—the Hunger Games universe is far from over. The previous prequel film, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, was a commercial success, grossing $349 million globally and rekindling interest in Panem’s shadowy history.
Now, with fresh faces like Joseph Zada and Whitney Peak, a compelling emotional arc, and the tragic origins of a fan-favourite character, Sunrise on the Reaping is shaping up to be the next big event in YA cinema.
Conclusion: A Franchise Reborn
With Joseph Zada and Whitney Peak set to lead a powerful return to the arena, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping promises to be more than just a prequel—it’s a deep dive into one of Panem’s darkest chapters, a character-driven drama wrapped in dystopian stakes. As fans brace for the next reaping, the countdown to 2026 begins—with renewed excitement and a hunger for more.
