I Learned The Story Behind How Sunrise On The Reaping’s Book Release Caused A Major Challenge For Casting The Movie, And Now The Cast Is Even More Impressive

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For the forthcoming book adaptations, one that’s generating quite a stir is “The Hunger Games: Sunrise at the Reaping”. This is particularly noteworthy when considering the talented cast that’s been gathered. Over time, the casting announcements have gradually been made, sparking numerous thrilled responses from readers of the books. Now, the casting team has finally shared insights into their selection process, and I must say, I’m even more impressed with “Sunrise”‘s exceptional choice of actors.

The team responsible for casting the newest Hunger Games prequel are Debra Zane, who casted the original movies, and Dylan Jury (who handled casting for The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes). Collectively, they have selected talent ranging from choosing Ralph Fiennes for President Snow’s role to discovering the new Haymitch actor who bears a striking resemblance to Woody Harrelson. As shared by Zane in an interview with Teen Vogue, this is their approach:

For the initial eight weeks, neither the book nor the screenplay were available to us. The book was kept securely in Nina’s office, while the screenplay wasn’t finalized until close to its release. We knew that it was Haymitch’s backstory we were working with, and that Woody Harrelson should play the 16-year-old Haymitch, along with needing a love interest and Maysilee, but beyond these basics, we had little information.

The directors revealed that producer Nina Jacobson had alerted them about the upcoming book and movie release beforehand. Yet, they started working on the project without having read the new book yet. By December 2024, they were informed they’d need to find younger actors for recurring characters such as Plutarch, Beetee, Wiress, Mags, and Snow. Furthermore, author Suzanne Collins provided them with general character sketches as Jury mentioned.

As a follower, I already had a general understanding of which characters would appear younger, so I could envision them without needing the book just yet. However, when I finally got my hands on both the book and the script, it was like a tidal wave of valuable information that allowed me to pinpoint the perfect actors for each role.

In the production of other “Hunger Games” films, Debra Zane and Dylan Jury had the opportunity to read the books prior to starting work. However, due to the timing of the release of “Sunrise on the Reaping,” it appears that this process was unique and more demanding. Given these circumstances, it’s truly remarkable that Jury and Zane were able to assemble a team of talent that fits so seamlessly. As Zane also mentioned: “It’s amazing how we managed to put together such a perfect cast.

On the book’s launch day, just like many others, we obtained a copy and dived right in. Having a script truly alters the experience. Prior to that, we had already been mentally preparing for portraying younger versions of characters such as Plutarch, Beetee, Wiress, Mags, and Snow, using our previous knowledge as a foundation. Suzanne also provided us with rough sketches, which were incredibly helpful during our first eight weeks’ preparation.

In the main role of Haymitch, we have Joseph Zada, who will also star alongside the previously mentioned Ralph Fiennes. Additionally, Glenn Close, McKenna Grace, Maya Hawke, Kieran Culkin, Jesse Plemons, Kelvin Harrison Jr., and Billy Porter are all set to join this remarkable cast. I must say, the casting directors have truly outdone themselves with these exceptional choices!

You have the opportunity to purchase the latest “Hunger Games” book titled “Sunrise on the Reaping” on Amazon. This book is currently discounted in anticipation of its inclusion in the upcoming 2026 film adaptations. Check out the offer here!

The casting team mentioned that they received audition videos from American, British, and Australian actors, where they showcased their improvisational skills by pretending to be interviewed by Caesar and acting in the woods. Joseph Zada, an Australian actor who was previously seen in “We Were Liars,” is poised to make his first major Hollywood debut as Haymitch.

The story, titled “Sunrise at the Harvest,” focuses on Haymitch Abernathy, a 16-year-old character, who is chosen as one of the tributes in the second Quarter Quell, where an unprecedented number of children are participating. In this tale, we discover that Haymitch’s birthday coincides with the Reaping day and that he has a girlfriend named Lenore Dove, part of the Covey girls. If filming for the movie, under the guidance of director Francis Lawrence from the franchise, hasn’t commenced yet, it is expected to do so shortly before its scheduled release date on November 20, 2026.

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2025-07-20 01:08