The Sunrise on the Reaping movie has cast its young Haymitch Abernathy and Lenore Dove Baird. The Hunger Games prequel novel by Suzanne Collins was released in March and tells the story of young Haymitch and the second Quarter Quell. Lenore is Haymitch’s girlfriend, and the two are torn apart when Haymitch becomes one of District 12’s tributes for the 50th Hunger Games. The Sunrise on the Reaping movie’s release is scheduled for November 20, 2026.
As per Lionsgate, Joseph Zada has been cast to play Haymitch and Whitney Peak will play Lenore Dove. The Hunger Games castings are also shown in videos that emphasize specific lines in Sunrise on the Reaping. All the words except for the characters’ names then fade away, followed by the page burning, and a reveal of the names and faces of Zada and Peak. The video for Haymitch features lines from the first page of the book, when his younger brother, Sid, wishes him a happy birthday. Check out the announcement below:
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What This Means For Sunrise On The Reaping
It Is A Significant Step Forward For The Adaptation
The casting of Haymitch and Lenore Dove is a major step forward for the film adaptation and continues a quick turnaround after the book’s publication. With the novel being released in March 2025, a quick transition is needed in order for the movie to meet its November 2026 release date. Now that Haymitch and Lenore Dove have been cast, actors playing other Sunrise on the Reaping characters can be expected to join the adaptation soon, so production can begin this summer.
After a great deal of speculation about who would play young Haymitch, including a great deal of support for House of the Dragon‘s Tom Glynn-Carney, Sunrise on the Reaping has instead chosen Zada, who has not appeared in a major franchise project before. Peak has more experience in film and television, and has had prominent roles in Gossip Girl, Hocus Pocus 2, and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. With Haymitch and Lenore Dove’s relationship being central to the story, the chemistry between Zada and Peak will be incredibly important.
Our Take On Sunrise On The Reaping’s Casting Choices
Joseph Zada & Whitney Peak Can Be A Great Haymitch & Lenore Dove
As wonderful as Glynn-Carney is in House on the Dragon, I am glad that Sunrise on the Reaping did not cast him or another actor who is already ᴀssociated with another major franchise role. It is better for an actor like Zada to make the role his own without already being ᴀssociated with another popular franchise. He certainly looks the part of a young Haymitch, and I am optimistic that he will do the character justice. It will be intriguing to see if his performance is reminiscent of Woody Harrelson or if it more so leans on the source material.
Sunrise on the Reaping is being directed by Francis Lawrence, who has directed all the franchise’s movies since Catching Fire.
I am also glad that Haymitch is not the only character whose casting has been announced. With Haymitch being sent to the Capitol and Lenore Dove remaining behind in District 12, she is absent for much of the book. However, her scenes are among the most important in the entire story, and even when she is physically absent, she still weighs heavily on Haymitch’s mind and influences the choices he makes. Zada and Peak are a promising start to Sunrise on the Reaping‘s casting, and I look forward to seeing who else will be added.
Source: Lionsgate, The Hunger Games/X
