The Ultimate Guide To The Hunger Games Cast: New Faces For 'Sunrise On The Reaping' And Where The Original Stars Are Now

The enduring saga of Panem continues to captivate audiences worldwide, and as of December 2025, the casting news surrounding the franchise is the freshest it has been in years. The global phenomenon that began with Katniss Everdeen’s spark of rebellion has successfully expanded its universe with the recent prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, and is now gearing up for another highly anticipated return to the arena. Fans are clamoring for details about the new cast members stepping into iconic roles and are equally curious about the current careers of the original trilogy's stars.

This deep dive into The Hunger Games cast will provide the absolute latest, most up-to-date information, focusing heavily on the confirmed and potential actors for the newest film, Sunrise on the Reaping, while also revisiting the stars who brought the dystopian world of Suzanne Collins’ novels to life a decade ago. The cinematic world of the Games is alive and thriving, and the actors behind the tributes, mentors, and villains are at the center of the conversation.

The New Faces of Panem: Confirmed Cast for Sunrise on the Reaping

The announcement of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping has sent shockwaves through the fandom. Set to explore the 50th Hunger Games—the infamous Second Quarter Quell—the film will focus on the early life of a young Haymitch Abernathy, the eventual cynical mentor to Katniss and Peeta. The confirmed casting for this prequel, which is set to hit theaters soon, represents a fresh injection of talent into the beloved franchise, promising a dark, emotionally resonant narrative. The following actors are confirmed or strongly rumored to take on these pivotal roles.

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• Joseph Zada as Haymitch Abernathy: Stepping into the shoes of Woody Harrelson is Joseph Zada, who will portray the young, victorious, and traumatized Haymitch Abernathy. This role is central to the film, depicting his desperate fight for survival in the arena.
• Whitney Peak as Lenore Dove Baird: A key new character, Lenore Dove Baird, will be portrayed by Whitney Peak. While details on her character's role are still emerging, her presence suggests a significant new perspective on the events of the Second Quarter Quell.
• Mckenna Grace as Maysilee Donner: Mckenna Grace has been cast as Maysilee Donner, the female tribute from District 12 who competed alongside Haymitch. Her relationship with Haymitch is a crucial, heartbreaking element of the original novel's lore.
• Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee (Younger): Jesse Plemons is set to play a younger version of Plutarch Heavensbee, the Head Gamemaker who later becomes a key figure in the rebellion. This casting adds a layer of continuity and intrigue to the Capitol's political landscape.
• Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Unknown Role: Kelvin Harrison Jr. is also confirmed for the cast, though his specific role remains under wraps, fueling fan speculation about which Capitol or District figure he might be playing.

The Potential Return of Katniss and Peeta (Jennifer Lawrence & Josh Hutcherson)

Perhaps the most explosive news is the strong possibility of Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson reprising their roles as Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark. While Sunrise on the Reaping is a prequel, it has been speculated that the original stars could appear in a flash-forward epilogue, providing a powerful emotional bookend to Haymitch's story and connecting the new prequels directly to the original saga. This potential return after a decade would be a monumental event for the franchise.

The *Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes* Ensemble: A New Panem Era

The success of the 2023 prequel, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, proved the enduring popularity of the franchise, grossing over $337 million worldwide. The film, set 64 years before Katniss's story, introduced a new generation of actors who masterfully portrayed the origins of President Coriolanus Snow and the 10th Hunger Games. The film's critical and commercial success is largely credited to its powerful cast.

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The Core Cast of the Prequel:

• Tom Blyth as Coriolanus Snow: Blyth took on the daunting task of portraying the young Coriolanus Snow, showing his descent from an ambitious, well-meaning student to the ruthless tyrant of the original trilogy. His performance was lauded for its complexity and nuance.
• Rachel Zegler as Lucy Gray Baird: Zegler, already a rising star, portrayed the charismatic and enigmatic District 12 tribute, Lucy Gray Baird. Her musical talent was central to the character, making her performance a standout element of the film.
• Peter Dinklage as Casca Highbottom: The veteran actor played Casca Highbottom, the Dean of the Academy and the conceptual creator of the Hunger Games. His gravitas added significant weight to the film's political drama.
• Hunter Schafer as Tigris Snow: Schafer played Tigris Snow, Coriolanus's cousin and confidante, a character who later appears in the original series as a rebel stylist. Schafer's portrayal provided a touching look at the Snow family's early struggles.
• Viola Davis as Dr. Volumnia Gaul: Davis brought her formidable presence to the role of Dr. Volumnia Gaul, the sadistic and brilliant Head Gamemaker, who served as a primary antagonist and mentor in Snow's early life.

The ensemble cast, directed by Francis Lawrence, successfully expanded the world of Panem, introducing new topical entities like the Covey, the Academy, and the early, more brutal iterations of the Games, setting a high bar for the upcoming prequel.

Where Are They Now? The Original *Hunger Games* Trilogy Cast

The original four films—The Hunger Games (2012), Catching Fire (2013), Mockingjay – Part 1 (2014), and Mockingjay – Part 2 (2015)—launched the careers of its young stars into the stratosphere. A decade later, the 'Big Three' and their co-stars remain major players in Hollywood, with new projects constantly in development.

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Jennifer Lawrence (Katniss Everdeen)

Lawrence, an Oscar winner, has maintained a highly selective and critically acclaimed career. After taking a brief hiatus, she has returned to producing and starring in challenging, character-driven films. Her recent work includes the comedy No Hard Feelings and the drama Causeway, solidifying her status as one of Hollywood's most bankable stars. The speculation about her return for Sunrise on the Reaping keeps her at the forefront of franchise news.

Josh Hutcherson (Peeta Mellark)

Hutcherson's career has seen a major resurgence. After a period focusing on independent projects, he starred in the massive 2023 horror hit, Five Nights at Freddy's, which reintroduced him to a new generation of fans. His current projects and highly public profile make his rumored return to the role of Peeta Mellark a major talking point.

Liam Hemsworth (Gale Hawthorne)

Hemsworth has transitioned his career into major action and drama roles. He is set to take over the pivotal role of Geralt of Rivia in the highly popular Netflix fantasy series, The Witcher, beginning with its fourth season. This marks his biggest career move since the conclusion of The Hunger Games.

Woody Harrelson (Haymitch Abernathy)

A highly prolific actor, Harrelson has continued to star in a wide variety of films and television shows, including the recent HBO series White House Plumbers and the film Suncoast. His legacy as the original Haymitch Abernathy remains a key entity in the franchise's history.

Elizabeth Banks (Effie Trinket)

Banks has successfully moved into directing and producing alongside her acting career. She directed Cocaine Bear and continues to take on diverse acting roles, proving her versatility both in front of and behind the camera.

The original cast’s continued success demonstrates the incredible springboard the franchise provided. The new actors stepping into the world of Panem have massive shoes to fill, but with the foundation laid by the original cast and the recent success of the prequel, the future of The Hunger Games looks brighter and more complex than ever.

The excitement for The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is palpable. With a fresh and talented cast ready to explore the dark history of the 50th Games, and the possibility of fan-favorite returns, the franchise is expertly balancing nostalgia with narrative expansion. Keep an eye on the latest developments as the production ramps up, promising another round of intense, political, and unforgettable drama from the world of Panem.