Debra Zane (Casting Director) and Cindy Lin (Casting Assistant) you have our hearts. THANK YOU for showing up to work, and doing your job exceedingly. The much anticipated, and quite iconic casting announcements for The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping took place on The Hunger Game’s official social media channels. With videos opening up to notable pieces of text highlighting a character from the book, a burning flame dissolving the words and revealing the actor selected for the role. Probably the best casting rollout I’ve seen – ever. For OG fans of the book, we refreshed and refreshed every day waiting for a new casting drop. Not to mention the internet filling their times in between to share their predictions, only for majority of the predictions to become a casting reality (Jesse Plemons, Ralph Fiennes, Maya Hawke, and notably – Elle Fanning as THE Effie Trinket). Not only is the cast completely stacked, but Francis Lawrence is back directing this 5th installment, and his 4th film in the series overall. The part I’m most excited for? The outfits of course. If the past 4 films have taught us anything, it’s that the wardrobe budget is unlimited and we will be met with the best take on fashion in the arena.
Filming is expected to take place summer – fall 25′ and the film is slated to release on November 20, 2026. Whatever date they have planned, my ticket is in hand, popcorn in the other, and I’m ready for the adventure of a lifetime.
Sunrise on the Reaping takes place 24 years before the first Hunger Games film. A 16-year-old Haymitch Abernathy is selected for the 50th Hunger Games. This games is known as a Quarter Quell – where twice the usual number of tributes (usually 24 but now 48) are required from each district. This story follows Haymitch’s time in the arena, his relationships, and how he came to be the anchor in the series that followed.
Cast:
Ralph Fiennes – President Snow (Ralph beefing with teenagers yet again – perfection!)
Jesse Plemons – Plutarch Heavensbee
Mckenna Grace – Maysilee Donner
Lili Taylor – Mags Flanagan
Joseph Zada – Haymitch Abernathy
Elle Fanning – Effie Trinket (As she should be)
Ben Wang – Wyatt Callow
Kelvin Harrison Jr. – Beetee Latier (my personal favorite casting choice)
Maya Hawke – Wiress
Kieran Culkin – Caesar Flickerman (i’m SAT)
Whitney Peak – Lenore Dove Baird
Molly McCann – Louella McCoy
Iona Bell – Lou Lou
