‘Sunrise on the Reaping’ makes major casting moves for ‘Hunger Games’ prequel
We have our Haymitch! And no, it's not a de-aged Woody Harrelson
I’ve long been on the record saying that if they make 75 “Hunger Games” movies, I’ll be seated for all 75.
If “The Hunger Games” has a million fans, then I am one of them. If “The Hunger Games” has ten fans, then I am one of them. If “The Hunger Games” has only one fan then that is me. If “The Hunger Games” has no fans, then that means I am dead.
A few weeks back, I fully channeled my middle school self and tore through the latest prequel, “Sunrise on the Reaping” – the story of Haymitch Abernathy’s original Games. (For the non-obsessed, that’s Woody Harrelson’s character from the originals.)
And we didn’t have to wait long to start fantasy-casting the inevitable film adaptation, because this week Lionsgate dropped major casting news for our next trip to Panem.
Haymitch Abernathy – Joseph Zada
The main event. Joseph Zada has a short résumé – a few TV spots, some indie work – but he’s set to play Cal Trask in Netflix’s “East of Eden” adaptation, which is no joke. Cal is one of Steinbeck’s most layered, tortured characters, and Zada’s sharing the screen with Florence Pugh, Christopher Abbott, Mike Faist, and Ciarán Hinds. Translation: they clearly think he’s him.
Lenore Dove Baird – Whitney Peak
Whitney Peak will play Haymitch’s love interest, Lenore Dove. She’s a smaller presence in the book, but the announcement felt big, like they might be beefing up her role. Good news if so – Peak’s got the chops to run with a bigger part.
Maysilee Donner – Mckenna Grace
The fans got this one right. Mckenna Grace is practically a fan-cast come to life as Maysilee – snarky, stubborn, fierce. Grace has shown off her range in “The Handmaid’s Tale,” “Ghostbusters,” “I, Tonya,” and more. She’s more than ready for the arena.
Plutarch Heavensbee – Jesse Plemons
Now this is the big one. Stepping into the shoes of the late, great Philip Seymour Hoffman is no small task – but if anyone can do it, it’s Jesse Plemons. Honestly, even if they’d gone the “legacy hire” route and cast Hoffman’s son Cooper, Plemons would still be the better actor. “Sunrise” shows us a younger, still-sharp Plutarch before his full-blown revolutionary days, and Plemons is the perfect pick to flesh him out.
The Rumors:
Ralph Fiennes as President Snow – He already has Voldemort on his résumé. Why not add another iconic YA villain? Love the vision. That said, if we’re playing nepotism games, it would be kind of poetic to bring in Kiefer Sutherland to inherit the role from his late father, Donald.
Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket – Perfect. No notes. Elizabeth Banks’ version walked so Elle Fanning’s could fly.
Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman – This one’s giving me pause. I love Culkin, but let’s be real: he’s always Roman Roy, sometimes with a different name. Caesar needs a layer of glitzy showmanship that Stanley Tucci made look effortless. Culkin’s a wildcard – but hey, it’s called acting for a reason. Let's see if he’s got it.
“Sunrise on the Reaping” releases in theaters November 20, 2026.