The Official Cast Of The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping—And The Shocking Surprise Returns

The Hunger Games franchise is roaring back to life with the highly anticipated film adaptation of Suzanne Collins’s latest novel, Sunrise on the Reaping, and the official cast list is finally here. Set to hit theaters on November 20, 2026, this prequel takes fans back to the brutal 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell—the infamous Games that turned a young Haymitch Abernathy into the cynical victor we know.

As of late 2025, Lionsgate has confirmed a stellar ensemble, introducing a new generation of stars to iconic roles while also bringing back some familiar, yet unexpected, faces. This article breaks down every confirmed actor, their role, and the significance of their casting in one of the most anticipated films in recent memory. The casting choices are a blend of fresh talent and veteran Hollywood powerhouses, ensuring the Fifth Film in the series maintains its high-stakes drama and topical authority.

The New Faces of District 12: Haymitch, Maysilee, and Lenore

The core of Sunrise on the Reaping revolves around the 50th Hunger Games, which saw two tributes from District 12 enter the arena: Haymitch Abernathy and Maysilee Donner. The film will explore Haymitch's harrowing journey, which is only briefly mentioned in the original trilogy.

• The One Where They Tanked Jokes 15 Shocking New Secrets From The Friends Tv Show Behind The Scenes G9zdh

Joseph Zada as Haymitch Abernathy

• Role: Haymitch Abernathy (The 50th Hunger Games Victor)
• Significance: This is the central role of the prequel, depicting Haymitch’s transformation from a spirited 16-year-old to the last victor of District 12 before Katniss and Peeta. He must embody the charisma, strategic mind, and eventual trauma that defined the character played by Woody Harrelson in the original films.
• Casting Date: Announced on April 23, 2025.

Mckenna Grace as Maysilee Donner

• Role: Maysilee Donner (Female Tribute from District 12)
• Significance: Maysilee is the other tribute from District 12 and a key figure in Haymitch's Games. She forms a brief, tragic alliance with Haymitch, and her fate is a critical element in his story. Grace, known for her roles in Gifted and Ghostbusters: Afterlife, brings a mix of vulnerability and resilience to the character.
• Casting Date: Announced shortly after Zada and Peak.

Whitney Peak as Lenore Dove Baird

• Role: Lenore Dove Baird (New Character)
• Significance: Lenore is a new character created for the film, described as Haymitch's girlfriend. Her presence will likely serve to ground Haymitch's life in District 12 before the Games and amplify the emotional stakes of his participation. Peak is a rising star known for her work in the Gossip Girl reboot.

Returning Franchise Icons and Surprising Casting Choices

The casting for the prequel's Capitol figures and other key victors has generated the most buzz, featuring a mix of actors reprising their roles and surprising recasts that defy the franchise's timeline.

Ralph Fiennes as President Coriolanus Snow

• Role: President Coriolanus Snow
• Significance: This is arguably the most surprising casting announcement. Ralph Fiennes, who played Lord Voldemort in the Harry Potter series, has been cast as President Snow, the role played by Donald Sutherland in the original films. This is a major change, as the book is set 24 years before Katniss’s Games, meaning Snow would be in his 40s or 50s. The decision to cast Fiennes, who is closer in age to Sutherland, suggests the film may be taking a non-linear approach or simply casting for thematic continuity over strict chronological age.

Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee

• Role: Plutarch Heavensbee
• Significance: Plemons is set to play Plutarch Heavensbee, the Head Gamemaker who later becomes a key ally of the rebellion. This casting places Plutarch in a much earlier stage of his career, providing a fascinating look at his rise through the Capitol ranks. Plemons’s subtle intensity is perfect for the complex, calculating character.

Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket

• Role: Effie Trinket
• Significance: Elle Fanning has been cast as the younger Effie Trinket. Given that Effie is the District 12 escort in the original films, her presence in Haymitch’s Quarter Quell would be as a young, ambitious Capitol citizen, perhaps an intern or a new escort. This offers a unique opportunity to see the character before her iconic, colorful Capitol persona was fully formed.

The Expanding World of Victors and Capitol Figures

To establish the topical authority of the film, the cast includes other victors and prominent Capitol figures who will shape the events of the Second Quarter Quell. This ensures the film is deeply integrated into the existing Hunger Games lore.

Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Beetee Latier

• Role: Beetee Latier (Victor from District 3)
• Significance: Beetee is the brilliant, technical victor who plays a crucial role in the rebellion. His casting in this prequel confirms his presence as a mentor during the 50th Games, giving fans a glimpse of his younger self and his interactions with Haymitch before the events of the 75th Games.

Confirmed Ensemble Roles

Several other high-profile actors have been confirmed in undisclosed or supporting roles, adding incredible depth to the ensemble cast:

• The Chilling True Story 5 Key Facts About Richard Evonitz The Serial Killer Who Kidnapped Kara Robinson Chamberlain Xpjje

• Glenn Close: The veteran actress is confirmed to be part of the ensemble. Her role is currently a closely guarded secret, though speculation is high that she will play a powerful, old-guard Capitol official or perhaps a Gamemaker.
• Kieran Culkin: Known for his Emmy-winning performance in Succession, Culkin's involvement suggests a significant, likely Capitol-based, role.
• Maya Hawke: Hawke's addition to the cast is exciting, and she is expected to play a young Capitol stylist or a member of the elite society.
• Billy Porter: Given his history of theatrical and flamboyant roles, Porter is likely to be cast as a new, high-ranking Capitol figure, possibly a television host or a fashion icon.

The Biggest Rumor: Are Katniss and Peeta Really Returning?

Perhaps the most shocking and unconfirmed news circulating is the reported return of original franchise stars, Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson, as Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark.

The timeline of Sunrise on the Reaping makes a traditional appearance impossible, as the film is set 24 years before Katniss is born. However, multiple reports suggest the stars will return for a cameo. This could manifest in several ways:

• A Framing Device: The film could open or close with an older Katniss, perhaps telling her children the story of Haymitch as a cautionary tale.
• A Flash-Forward: A brief scene could show the future of District 12 and the impact of the 50th Games on the community, leading up to the events of the 74th Games.
• An Archival Clip: Though less likely, an archival clip of the older characters could be used as part of a documentary or propaganda piece within the Capitol.

While Lionsgate has not officially confirmed the nature of the cameo, the mere possibility of seeing Lawrence and Hutcherson back in the Hunger Games universe has sent fan anticipation through the roof, proving the enduring power of the original trilogy's LSI keywords and characters. This surprising move, if true, would be a brilliant piece of fan service and a massive marketing coup for the 2026 release.

• 7 Shocking Things Jessica Capshaw Revealed About Growing Up With Steven Spielberg As Her Stepfather 892ho

What This Cast Means for the Prequel's Tone

The casting of Sunrise on the Reaping signals that director Francis Lawrence is aiming for a film that is both a fresh, standalone prequel and a powerful bridge to the original series. The inclusion of established stars like Ralph Fiennes and Jesse Plemons, alongside rising talents like Joseph Zada and Mckenna Grace, ensures the film has the gravitas needed to tell the dark, compelling story of the Second Quarter Quell.

The film is expected to delve deep into the mechanics of the Games, the political climate of Panem 24 years before Katniss, and the devastating consequences of the Capitol's tyranny. With a release date locked for November 20, 2026, the countdown has officially begun for fans to witness the defining tragedy that created the legendary, tormented victor, Haymitch Abernathy.