The Hunger Games is officially back in the spotlight, and the internet is eating it up. Lionsgate just revealed that Joseph Zada and Whitney Peak will star in Sunrise on the Reaping, the next big-screen installment in Suzanne Collins’ dystopian franchise. Set decades before Katniss picked up her bow, the story follows a young Haymitch Abernathy—and with the film set for a 2026 release, fans are already deep in speculation mode.
Who Are Joseph Zada and Whitney Peak?
Let’s be real: casting Haymitch was never going to be easy. He’s sarcastic, damaged, and one of the most layered characters in The Hunger Games. But Lionsgate thinks they’ve found the right guy in Joseph Zada, a fresh face who’s already turning heads. He’s set to appear in Amazon’s We Were Liars and Netflix’s East of Eden, and now he’s jumping straight into one of the most high-stakes roles in YA film history.
Opposite him is Whitney Peak, who’ll play Lenore Dove Baird—Haymitch’s girlfriend and a brand-new addition to the universe. You probably recognize Peak from Max’s Gossip Girl reboot or Hocus Pocus 2. She’s got range, she’s got presence, and honestly, the chemistry between these two could end up being the emotional anchor of the entire movie.
Lionsgate auditioned hundreds of actors for these roles, so this wasn’t a casual pick. Erin Westerman, co-president of Lionsgate’s Motion Picture Group, said Zada and Peak bring “incredible heart, depth, and fire.” Sounds like they’re not just placeholders—they’re here to carry the story.
What’s Sunrise on the Reaping Actually About?
If you’ve ever wondered what made Haymitch Abernathy (Originally portrayed by Woody Harrelson) the grizzled, whiskey-loving mentor we met in the original trilogy—this is it. Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping takes us back 24 years before Katniss Everdeen stepped into the arena, right into the heart of the 50th Hunger Games, better known as the Second Quarter Quell.
It’s based on Suzanne Collins’ newest novel, which dropped earlier this year and sold over 1.5 million copies in its first week—so yeah, people are paying attention. The story digs deep into Haymitch’s early life and the trauma that defined him, giving fans a front-row seat to one of the bloodiest Games in Panem history.
Behind the camera, we’ve got some familiar names. Francis Lawrence, who directed most of the original franchise, is back in the director’s chair. The script comes from Billy Ray (Captain Phillips), with Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson producing for Color Force—the same team that helped turn the original series into a global box office juggernaut—quick reminder: the franchise has pulled in over $3.3 billion to date.
Sunrise on the Reaping hits theaters November 20, 2026, and if all goes according to plan, it’s about to bring a whole new generation into the Capitol’s spotlight.
Final Thought
Bringing in Joseph Zada and Whitney Peak for this origin story isn’t just a casting move—it’s a calculated shift in tone and storytelling. This isn’t another Katniss-style hero’s journey. Sunrise on the Reaping is shaping up to be grittier, more psychological, and way more emotionally charged. By focusing on Haymitch Abernathy’s past—the trauma, the brutality, and the choices that haunted him for decades—the franchise is signaling that it’s ready to grow up with its audience.
Both Joseph Zada and Whitney Peak are relatively new to the blockbuster scene, which honestly makes their casting more exciting. There’s no baggage, no expectations—just raw talent stepping into roles that could define their careers. And if early buzz is any clue, fans are already invested.
With The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes reigniting interest in Panem and Collins’ new novel flying off shelves, the timing couldn’t be better. The Hunger Games has always been about more than survival—it’s about power, rebellion, and the personal cost of both. This next installment looks ready to take those themes even further. If Lionsgate plays its cards right, Sunrise on the Reaping could mark not just a comeback, but a full-blown renaissance for the franchise.
