‘The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping’ Casts Joseph Zada and Whitney Peak
As the sun rises on the next chapter of the Hunger Games, ‘Sunrise on the Reaping’, Lionsgate has officially announced its leading cast. As per the recent reports, Joseph Zada and Whitney Peak have been locked in as the main characters, marking the start of a new era for the globally popular franchise. The news was officially announced on April 23, 2025, at 2:55 pm.
Joseph Zada will be stepping into the shoes of Haymitch Abernathy, a tribute from District 12. Fans will recall Haymitch as the character formerly portrayed by Woody Harrelson in the previous installments of the Hunger Games series. Whitney Peak will be playing Haymitch’s girlfriend, Lenore Dove Baird. The casting for these roles has been one of the most anticipated among the franchise enthusiasts.
The Hunger Games is known for being a launchpad for young and talented actors. Joseph and Whitney are expected to carry forth this legacy with their performances. Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Co-President Erin Westerman was all praises for the duo. She said, “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. Haymitch has always been a fan favorite, and his origin story is one of the most anticipated in the franchise.”
The story of ‘Sunrise on the Reaping’ takes us back to Panem 24 years before the events of the Hunger Games, starting on the morning of the reaping of the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell. It centers around 16-year-old Haymitch, a clever and resourceful boy from District 12, who’s unexpectedly chosen for this edition of the games, which will feature a deadly twist: twice the number of tributes, with 48 children sent into the arena to battle for their lives.
The film is slated for release on November 20, 2026, and comes on the heels of five installments in the franchise that have grossed over $3.3 billion worldwide. A highly anticipated project, ‘Sunrise on the Reaping’ will revisit the world of Panem, with a focus on Haymitch’s life and the events that lead up to the original Hunger Games. The film is expected to explore deeper into the emotional history of Panem, offering fans a fresh perspective on the series.
Joseph Zada, currently leading in the Stan Australia Original Series ‘Invisible Boys’, is also set to star in Prime Video’s series ‘We Were Liars’, premiering this June. In contrast, Whitney Peak, best known for featuring in Max’s ‘Gossip Girl’ reboot and ‘Hocus Pocus 2’, will be next seen as the lead in Sony’s upcoming shark thriller ‘Shiver’ opposite Phoebe Dynevor, as well as alongside Liam Neeson and Teresa Palmer in ‘4 Kids Walk into a Bank’ for Amazon MGM’s Orion.
With the casting of Joseph Zada and Whitney Peak, ‘The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping’ is set to take the franchise to new heights. As the anticipation builds, fans worldwide are eagerly waiting for the latest Hunger Games installment. Stay tuned to this space for more updates on this exciting project.