Who will be playing Haymitch in ‘Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping’?

The upcoming Hunger Games prequel, Sunrise on the Reaping, has cast its young Woody Harrelson.

Representatives for the movie, based on Suzanne Collins' dystopian novels, announced on Wednesday, April 23, that Joseph Zada had been tapped to play the fan-favourite character Haymitch Abernathy, as originated by Harrelson in the 2012 movie, according to Entertainment Weekly.

In addition to Haymitch’s booking, his love interest is also finalised. The studio revealed that it has cast Whitney Peak to play Lenore Dove Baird.

Reflecting on the main leads casting, Erin Westerman, co-president of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, said in a press release: "After auditioning hundreds of gifted performers from around the world, these two stood out — not just for their talent, but for the emotional truth they brought to these iconic roles."

"We can't wait for fans to experience the story that shaped one of the most compelling characters in the series," he added.

For the unversed, Zada recently wrapped filming the upcoming Prime Video series We Were Liars. He also boasts the Netflix limited series East of Eden among his film credits.

Meanwhile, Peak has showcased her acting chops in Hocus Pocus 2, the Gossip Girl reboot, and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.

Sunrise on the Reaping, based on Collins’ fifth Hunger Games novel of the same name, is slated to hit the screens on November 20, 2026.