Joseph Zada and Whitney Peak have landed the coveted lead roles in Lionsgate’s highly anticipated prequel, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. Zada will portray a young Haymitch Abernathy, the sharp-witted District 12 tribute famously played by Woody Harrelson in earlier franchise installments, while Peak takes on the role of Lenore Dove Baird, Haymitch’s pivotal love interest.
The casting announcement ends weeks of feverish speculation, with both roles becoming some of the most competitive in recent Hollywood memory. Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Co-President Erin Westerman praised the duo, noting the franchise’s legacy of catapulting young talent to stardom. “Joseph and Whitney embody the raw passion and authenticity these iconic roles demand,” she said. “Haymitch’s origin story is a cornerstone of Panem’s lore, and his bond with Lenore weaves deeply into the emotional fabric of this universe.”
Producer Nina Jacobson of Color Force echoed the sentiment, highlighting the exhaustive global search led by casting directors Deb Zane and Dylan Jury. “Joseph’s preparation and Whitney’s magnetic presence left us awestruck. Their chemistry was undeniable—a rare ‘lightning in a bottle’ moment,” she shared.
Adapted from Suzanne Collins’ bestselling novel (released March 18), Sunrise on the Reaping delves into Panem’s history 24 years before Katniss Everdeen’s saga. The story follows 16-year-old Haymitch, a resourceful District 12 teen thrust into the brutal 50th Hunger Games (the Second Quarter Quell), where a sinister twist forces 48 tributes into the arena.
Directed by franchise veteran Francis Lawrence from a script by Billy Ray, the film is produced by Jacobson and Brad Simpson, with Lionsgate targeting a November 20, 2026, release. The Hunger Games series, spanning five films and grossing over $3.3 billion globally, continues to expand its dystopian legacy with this origin story of one of its most enigmatic characters.
