Joseph Zada Cast as Young Haymitch in ‘The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping’ Opposite Whitney Peak as Lenore Dove

The next chapter in The Hunger Games universe has its leads—and fans are already buzzing. Joseph Zada has been cast as a young Haymitch Abernathy, while Whitney Peak will take on the role of his girlfriend, Lenore Dove Baird, in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.

This upcoming prequel, based on Suzanne Collins’ bestselling novel, takes place 24 years before Katniss Everdeen’s name is ever pulled from a bowl, during the infamous 50th Hunger Games—also known as the Second Quarter Quell. It’s a pivotal moment in Panem’s history, and one that reshaped the life of one of the franchise’s most beloved and battle-worn mentors.

The film hits theaters on November 20, 2026, and brings back director Francis Lawrence, who’s helmed every film in the franchise since 2013’s Catching Fire. The script is adapted by Billy Ray, with longtime producers Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson returning alongside executive producer Cameron MacConomy.

Zada’s casting marks a major breakout moment. The actor is already building buzz with a lead role in Amazon’s We Were Liars, and will appear in Netflix’s adaptation of East of Eden with Florence Pugh and Mike Faist. He also headlines the upcoming series Invisible Boys. As for Whitney Peak, she’s no stranger to high-profile projects. Known for her lead in Max’s Gossip Girl reboot and Hocus Pocus 2, she also stars in Sony’s Shiver and is the global face of Chanel’s Coco Mademoiselle fragrance—the first Black ambassador for the iconic scent.

Lionsgate called their pairing “a magical casting moment.” According to studio exec Erin Westerman, Zada and Peak were selected from hundreds of auditions around the world: “They stood out—not just for their talent, but for the emotional truth they brought to these iconic roles.”

Fans will follow Haymitch not just into the arena but through a raw, character-defining love story with Lenore. Their relationship forms the emotional core of the film, according to the creative team. While Woody Harrelson’s grizzled portrayal of Haymitch is unforgettable, the film will explore how trauma, survival, and heartbreak shaped the man he would become.

Sunrise on the Reaping exploded out of the gate, selling 1.5 million copies in its first week across English-speaking territories. In the U.S. alone, it doubled the launch sales of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and tripled those of Mockingjay.

With an emotional origin story, fresh faces, and the return of one of Hollywood’s most bankable YA franchises, Lionsgate’s next tribute to Panem is shaping up to be a box office heavyweight. And with over $3.3 billion already banked across five previous films, this new installment is poised to draw blood—and plenty of viewers.