- Laura Marcus, Percy Daggs IV, Rada Rae and Jhaleil Swaby have joined the cast of Lionsgate’s The Hunger Games: Sunrise on The Reaping as tributes.
-
The new cast will join previously announced ensemble members Glenn Close, Kieran Culkin, Elle Fanning, Ralph Fiennes, McKenna Grace, Kelvin Harrison Jr.,
Maya Hawke, Whitney Peak, Jesse Plemons, Billy Porter, Lili Taylor, Ben Wang, and
Joseph Zada. -
Laura Marcus stars as Silka, the career tribute from District 1. Later in 2025, Marcus stars in Netflix’s “Death By Lighting” as former US President James Garfield’s daughter Mollie Garfield and she can currently be seen in the
Hulu/Disney+ series “Andor” as Beela. She previously starred as Elisabeth in “The Serpent Queen” for STARZ, Jinx in BBC’s “Bad Education”, BBC’s “The Jetty” as Caitlin, Amazon Studios “The Devil’s Hour”, and her film starring roles included The Great Escaper. She is represented by David Lazenby at Conway van Gelder Grant, Lena Roklin at Luber Roklin Entertainment and Caroline Fergusson at Pinnacle PR.
Daggs stars as fan favorite Beetee’s brilliant son and a tribute from District 3. He was most recently seen in Lionsgate’s Never Let Go opposite Halle Berry.
He also stars as a series regular in Hulu’s “Paradise,” and had a recurring role in the AppleTV+ series “The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey,” starring Samuel L. Jackson.
He is represented by LA Talent.
Rada Rae will star as Wellie, tribute from District 6. She most recently
starred in the Netflix film Exterritorials as well as such television series as
“House of David” and “Nine Perfect Strangers.” She is represented by Symington Talent Management (Los Angeles) and AKP Management Agency (London).
Jhaleil Swaby will star as Panache, a career tribute also from District 1.
Swaby has been a series regular on television programming including “The Lake” for Amazon Prime Video, “Supergirl” for CW, and “The Next Step.” He is represented by
Vault Entertainment and Hansen, Jacobson.
The film adaptation of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is currently
in pre-production and will be released on November 20, 2026. Francis Lawrence will direct from a screenplay adaptation by Billy Ray. Color Force’s Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson will produce. Cameron MacConomy will executive produce.
The five films in the franchise have taken in more than $3.3 billion at the box office.
Published on March 18, 2025, Suzanne Collins’ Sunrise on the Reaping revisits
the world of Panem twenty-four years before the events of The Hunger Games,
beginning on the morning of the reaping of the Fiftieth Hunger Games, also known
as the Second Quarter Quell.
Sunrise on the Reaping sold 1.5 million copies in its first week on sale in
the U.S., U.K., Ireland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The 1.2 million copies old in the U.S. are twice the first week sales of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and three times the first week sales of Mockingjay.
Meredith Wieck and Scott O’Brien are overseeing the project for Lionsgate.
Robert Melnik is overseeing the deal making for the studio.
Eight-time Oscar nominee GLENN CLOSE has been cast as Drusilla Sickle, the cruel escort to the District 12 Tributes, and three-time Tony Award winner BILLY PORTER as Magno Stift, her estranged husband and the Tributes’ uninspired designer, in Lionsgate’s The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, an adaptation of the bestselling book by Suzanne Collins.
Photo by Kristina Bumphrey/Variety via Getty Images
Oscar winner KIERAN CULKIN has been cast as Caesar Flickerman, host of the Hunger Games, in Lionsgate’s The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, an adaptation of the bestselling book by Suzanne Collins. Stanley Tucci played the role in the original quartet of films.
Culkin joins Joseph Zada, Whitney Peak, Mckenna Grace, Jesse Plemons, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Maya Hawke, Lili Taylor, Ben Wang, Ralph Fiennes, and Elle Fanning in the announced cast of the film.
Erin Westerman, co-president, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, said, “Kieran’s scene-stealing presence and undeniable charm are perfect for Caesar Flickerman, the sickeningly watchable host of Panem’s darkest spectacle. Stanley Tucci made Caesar unforgettable—and now Kieran will make the role entirely his own.”
Producer Nina Jacobson added, “Kieran’s magnetism, wit, and unpredictability make him a perfect fit for Caesar Flickerman. A host like Caesar transforms brutality into entertainment, and an actor as layered as Kieran makes sure we don’t look away.”
The film adaptation of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping will be released on November 20, 2026. Francis Lawrence will direct from a screenplay adaptation by Billy Ray. Color Force’s Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson will produce. Cameron MacConomy will executive produce. The five films in the franchise have taken in over $3.3 billion at the box office.
Published on March 18, Sunrise on the Reaping revisits the world of Panem twenty-four years before the events of The Hunger Games, starting on the morning of the reaping of the Fiftieth Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.
Sunrise on the Reaping sold 1.5 million copies in its first week on sale in the U.S., U.K., Ireland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The 1.2 million copies sold in the U.S. are twice the first week sales of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and three times the first week sales of Mockingjay.
Meredith Wieck and Scott O’Brien are overseeing the project for Lionsgate. Phil Strina negotiated the deal for the studio.
KIERAN CULKIN recently won the Academy Award® for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in A Real Pain. His performance in “Succession” earned him an Emmy Award among three nominations. He is currently on Broadway starring in the sold out run of “Glengarry Glen Ross” with Bob Odenkirk and Bill Burr. He is represented by WME, Brookside Artist Management and Relevant.
Emmy nominee ELLE FANNING has been cast as Effie Trinket, stylist for Haymitch Abernathy in the leadup to the 50th Hunger Games, in Lionsgate’s The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, an adaptation of the bestselling book by Suzanne Collins. Elizabeth Banks played the role in the original quartet of films.
Fanning joins Joseph Zada, Whitney Peak, Mckenna Grace, Jesse Plemons, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Maya Hawke, Lili Taylor, Ben Wang, and Ralph Fiennes in the announced cast of the film.
Erin Westerman, co-president, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, added, “From the moment Suzanne released the book, one question echoed from fans around the world: Who will play Effie? Elizabeth Banks made her iconic—so who could honor that legacy while bringing us back to Effie’s early, most formative days? For us, there was only one answer. Elle Fanning’s career has been transcendent. She has a rare presence—warm, sparkling, and layered with extraordinary depth. She was the undeniable fan favorite from the start, and we’re honored she answered the call. The odds, it turns out, were in our favor.”
The film adaptation of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping will be released on November 20, 2026. Francis Lawrence will direct from a screenplay adaptation by Billy Ray. Color Force’s Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson will produce. Cameron MacConomy will executive produce. The five films in the franchise have taken in over $3.3 billion at the box office.
Published on March 18, Sunrise on the Reaping revisits the world of Panem twenty-four years before the events of The Hunger Games, starting on the morning of the reaping of the Fiftieth Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.
Sunrise on the Reaping sold 1.5 million copies in its first week on sale in the U.S., U.K., Ireland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The 1.2 million copies sold in the U.S. are twice the first week sales of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and three times the first week sales of Mockingjay.
ELLE FANNING most recently starred in the Oscar nominee A Complete Unknown. Upcoming, she stars in Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value, which premieres in Cannes this week. She will also star in the Apple TV+ series “Margo’s Got Money Troubles” for David E. Kelley and Apple TV+, and 20th Century’s Predator: Badlands, in theaters this fall. She is represented by UTA, TFC Management, and Hansen, Jacobson, Teller, Hoberman, Newman, Warren, Richman, Rush, Kaller, Gellman, Meigs & Fox.
Photo credit: Courtesy
IONA BELL preferred photo attached. Photo credit: Tim Steele
MOLLY McCANN will play Louella, and IONA BELL will play her Capitol-assigned lookalike Lou Lou, in Lionsgate’s The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, an adaptation of the bestselling book by Suzanne Collins. They join Joseph Zada, Whitney Peak, Mckenna Grace, Jesse Plemons, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Maya Hawke, Lili Taylor, Ben Wang, and Ralph Fiennes in the announced cast of the film.
The film adaptation of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping will be released on November 20, 2026. Francis Lawrence will direct from a screenplay adaptation by Billy Ray. Color Force’s Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson will produce. Cameron MacConomy will executive produce. The five films in the franchise have taken in over $3.3 billion at the box office.
Published on March 18, Sunrise on the Reaping revisits the world of Panem twenty-four years before the events of The Hunger Games, starting on the morning of the reaping of the Fiftieth Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.
Sunrise on the Reaping sold 1.5 million copies in its first week on sale in the U.S., U.K., Ireland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The 1.2 million copies sold in the U.S. are twice the first week sales of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and three times the first week sales of Mockingjay.
Meredith Wieck and Scott O’Brien are overseeing the project for Lionsgate.
MOLLY McCANN’s television credits include “Bad Sisters,” “The Hardacres,”“The Boy That Never Was,” and “Star Wars: Visions.” Her feature work includes Never Grow Old; she was IFTA-nominated for her role in Herself, and she’ll be next seen in Feed. She is represented by United Agents.
IONA BELL’s upcoming feature film credits include Fing!, Savage Flowers, and Frayed. Her television credits include “Mandrake.” She is represented by Mark Jermin Management.
Oscar nominee RALPH FIENNES has been cast as President Snow, the ruthless dictator of Panem, in Lionsgate’s The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, an adaptation of the bestselling book by Suzanne Collins. Fiennes joins Joseph Zada, Whitney Peak, Mckenna Grace, Jesse Plemons, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Maya Hawke, Lili Taylor, and Ben Wang in the announced cast of the film.
Producer Nina Jacobson said, “We wanted to honor Donald Sutherland by having one of this generation’s greatest actors play President Snow 24 years before Katniss Everdeen entered the arena. Working with Ralph has been on my bucket list since he traumatized me for life in Schindler’s List. It’s genuinely a thrill to welcome him to the Hunger Games.”
The film adaptation of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping will be released on November 20, 2026. Francis Lawrence will direct from a screenplay adaptation by Billy Ray. Color Force’s Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson will produce. Cameron MacConomy will executive produce. The five films in the franchise have taken in over $3.3 billion at the box office.
Published on March 18, Sunrise on the Reaping revisits the world of Panem twenty-four years before the events of The Hunger Games, starting on the morning of the reaping of the Fiftieth Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.
Sunrise on the Reaping sold 1.5 million copies in its first week on sale in the U.S., U.K., Ireland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The 1.2 million copies sold in the U.S. are twice the first week sales of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and three times the first week sales of Mockingjay.
Meredith Wieck and Scott O’Brien are overseeing the project for Lionsgate. Phil Strina negotiated the deal for the studio.
RALPH FIENNES has been nominated for three Academy Awards and seven Bafta awards (including winning for his performance in Schindler’s List). He was most recently seen this year in Edward Berger’s critically acclaimed and multi-award winning film Conclave. His upcoming work includes roles in The Choral, for director Nicholas Hytner, and 28 Years Later, for director Danny Boyle. He is represented by CAA and Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern in the US and 42MP in the UK.
BEN WANG has been cast as Wyatt Callow, District 12 Tribute alongside Haymitch Abernathy (Joseph Zada), Maysilee Donner (Mckenna Grace), and Louella McCoy in Lionsgate’s The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, an adaptation of the bestselling book by Suzanne Collins. Wang joins Zada, Whitney Peak, Grace, Jesse Plemons, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Maya Hawke, and Lili Taylor in the announced cast of the film.
The film adaptation of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping will be released on November 20, 2026. Francis Lawrence will direct from a screenplay adaptation by Billy Ray. Color Force’s Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson will produce. Cameron MacConomy will executive produce. The five films in the franchise have taken in over $3.3 billion at the box office.
Published on March 18, Sunrise on the Reaping revisits the world of Panem twenty-four years before the events of The Hunger Games, starting on the morning of the reaping of the Fiftieth Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.
Sunrise on the Reaping sold 1.5 million copies in its first week on sale in the U.S., U.K., Ireland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The 1.2 million copies sold in the U.S. are twice the first week sales of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and three times the first week sales of Mockingjay.
Meredith Wieck and Scott O’Brien are overseeing the project for Lionsgate. Robert Melnik negotiated the deal for the studio.
BEN WANG will star for Lionsgate later this summer in the feature The Long Walk, based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, directed by Francis Lawrence. He is best-known for his starring role of Jin Wang in the Disney+ series “American Born Chinese” In the event series, making his series debut, he starred in the lead role opposite Oscar winners Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan. He will next be seen starring in the titular role for the Sony Pictures’ Karate Kid: Legends, which is releasing in theaters worldwide May 30. Wang was cast in the role after an extensive worldwide search where over 10,000 submissions were received.
Wang recently wrapped lead roles in two independent features. First is Brian, in the title role, opposite William H. Macy, Randall Park and Edi Patterson; the coming of age film is produced by Seth Meyers and Mike Scollins, who also penned the script, and Will Ropp directs. The second is the R-rated Untitled Celebrity Pass Movie, a comedy written by David Wain and Ken Marino and directed by Wain for A Likely Story; Wang stars opposite Zoey Deutch, Jon Hamm & John Slattery. Previously, Wang can be seen as a part of the ensemble in the musical Mean Girls for Paramount Pictures, and he co-starred in the coming-of-age feature film Chang Can Dunk also for Disney+. He is a graduate of the NYU Tisch theater program.
He is represented by Artists First, Stewart Talent and Schreck Rose Dapello Adams Berlin & Dunham.
I loved the book and I am looking forward to the movie.
LILI TAYLOR has been cast as Mags, former Hunger Games champion-turned-District 12 mentor, in Lionsgate’s The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, an adaptation of the bestselling book by Suzanne Collins.
The film adaptation of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping will be released on November 20, 2026. Francis Lawrence will direct from a screenplay adaptation by Billy Ray. Color Force’s Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson will produce. Cameron MacConomy will executive produce. The five films in the franchise have taken in over $3.3 billion at the box office.
Published on March 18, Sunrise on the Reaping revisits the world of Panem twenty-four years before the events of The Hunger Games, starting on the morning of the reaping of the Fiftieth Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.
Sunrise on the Reaping sold 1.5 million copies in its first week on sale in the U.S., U.K., Ireland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The 1.2 million copies sold in the U.S. are twice the first week sales of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and three times the first week sales of Mockingjay.
Meredith Wieck and Scott O’Brien are overseeing the project for Lionsgate. Robert Melnik negotiated the deal for the studio.
LILI TAYLOR is a three-time Emmy nominee who will next be seen in the second season of Marvel’s Daredevil: Born Again as well as Netflix’s Fear Street: Prom Queen. She can be seen starring in the mystery drama Outer Range on Amazon. In the literary space, this spring, Taylor released her debut book Turning to Birds, a love letter to birding and the art of seeking peace in unexpected places. She is represented by Independent Artist Group and Untitled Entertainment.
MAYA HAWKE has been cast as Wiress, former Hunger Games champion-turned-District 12 mentor, in Lionsgate’s The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, an adaptation of the bestselling book by Suzanne Collins.
The film adaptation of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping will be released on November 20, 2026. Francis Lawrence will direct from a screenplay adaptation by Billy Ray. Color Force’s Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson will produce. Cameron MacConomy will executive produce. The five films in the franchise have taken in over $3.3 billion at the box office.
Published on March 18, Sunrise on the Reaping revisits the world of Panem twenty-four years before the events of The Hunger Games, starting on the morning of the reaping of the Fiftieth Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.
Sunrise on the Reaping sold 1.5 million copies in its first week on sale in the U.S., U.K., Ireland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The 1.2 million copies sold in the U.S. are twice the first week sales of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and three times the first week sales of Mockingjay.
Meredith Wieck and Scott O’Brien are overseeing the project for Lionsgate. Robert Melnik negotiated the deal for the studio.
MAYA HAWKE recently voiced Anxiety in the global hit Inside Out 2, in addition to releasing her critically acclaimed album Chaos Angel; upcoming, she will star on the fifth season of “Stranger Things” as well as an upcoming Lucia Joyce biopic. She is represented by CAA, Untitled Entertainment, The Oriel Company, Jonathan Sanders & Co., and Hansen, Jacobson, Teller, Hoberman, Newman, Warren, Richman, Rush, Kaller, Gellman, Meigs & Fox.
KELVIN HARRISON JR
has been cast as Beetee, champion of the 34th Hunger Games and father of Ampert Latier, Tribute in the 50th Hunger Games, in Lionsgate’s The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, an adaptation of the bestselling book by Suzanne Collins.
The film adaptation of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping will be released on November 20, 2026. Francis Lawrence will direct from a screenplay adaptation by Billy Ray. Color Force’s Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson will produce. Cameron MacConomy will executive produce. The five films in the franchise have taken in over $3.3 billion at the box office.
Published on March 18, Sunrise on the Reaping revisits the world of Panem twenty-four years before the events of The Hunger Games, starting on the morning of the reaping of the Fiftieth Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.
Sunrise on the Reaping sold 1.5 million copies in its first week on sale in the U.S., U.K., Ireland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The 1.2 million copies sold in the U.S. are twice the first week sales of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and three times the first week sales of Mockingjay.
Meredith Wieck and Scott O’Brien are overseeing the project for Lionsgate. Robert Melnik negotiated the deal for the studio.
KELVIN HARRISON JR. recently voiced the role of Taka in Mufasa: The Lion King and will star as Jean-Michel Basquiat in Samo Lives in which he will also serve as executive producer. He is represented by WME, Anonymous Content, and Del Shaw Moonves Tanaka Finkelstein Lezcano Bobb & Dang.
LIONSGATE CASTS FIRST TWO HIGHLY ANTICIPATED AND SOUGHT-AFTER LEAD ROLES OF
“THE HUNGER GAMES: SUNRISE ON THE REAPING”
JOSEPH ZADA as HAYMITCH ABERNATHY
WHITNEY PEAK as LENORE DOVE BAIRD
SANTA MONICA, Calif., April 23, 2025—Lionsgate has cast the first two lead roles of the highly anticipated return to Panem, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, based on the bestselling novel by Suzanne Collins. The announcement was made by Erin Westerman, co-president, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group.
Joseph Zada will play Haymitch Abernathy, Tribute from District 12, with Whitney Peak playing Haymitch’s girlfriend, Lenore Dove Baird.
The film adaptation of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping will be released on November 20, 2026. Francis Lawrence will direct from a screenplay adaptation by Billy Ray. Color Force’s Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson will produce. Cameron MacConomy will executive produce. The five films in the franchise have taken in over $3.3 billion at the box office.
Zada will next be seen starring in the highly anticipated Amazon Prime series “We Were Liars,” which premieres this June. He also just completed production for Netflix’s “East of Eden,” in which he stars alongside Florence Pugh, Mike Faist, Martha Plimpton, Tracy Letts, and Chris Abbott; Zoe Kazan has written and is executive producing this seven-episode limited series based on the 1952 John Steinbeck novel. Zada currently can be seen starring in the lead role of Charlie in the upcoming Stan Australia Original Series “Invisible Boys,” based on the bestselling novel by Holden Sheppard.
Peak will next be seen as the lead in Sony Pictures’ 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 label. She is most known for her starring role on Max’s highly-anticipated reboot of “Gossip Girl” playing Zoya Lott. She is also known for starring in Hocus Pocus 2 opposite Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimi. Peak is currently a global CHANEL ambassador: in 2023, Peak was named the newest face of the COCO MADEMOISELLE fragrance; the move makes her the first Black face of a CHANEL scent, and overall, one of the rare Black faces seen in fragrance ads. She also starred in the latest CHANEL 22 handbag campaign.
“The Hunger Games franchise has long been a launching pad for remarkable young actors, and Jo and Whitney carry that legacy forward with incredible heart, depth, and fire,” said Westerman. “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. His relationship with Lenore Dove is deeply woven into the emotional history of Panem. We can’t wait for fans to experience the story that shaped one of the most compelling characters in the series.”
“Deb Zane and Dylan Jury oversaw an exhaustive (and exhausting!) search to find a young actor with the skill and imagination to embody young Haymitch,” added Jacobson. “Jo prepared like crazy and stole our hearts. Then Whitney took our breath away as Lenore Dove. When we put the two of them together, it was one of those magical casting moments when you know your search has led you home.”
Sunrise on the Reaping sold 1.5 million copies in its first week on sale in the U.S., U.K., Ireland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The 1.2 million copies sold in the U.S. are twice the first week sales of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and three times the first week sales of Mockingjay.
Published on March 18, Sunrise on the Reaping revisits the world of Panem twenty-four years before the events of The Hunger Games, starting on the morning of the reaping of the Fiftieth Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.
Meredith Wieck and Scott O’Brien are overseeing the project for Lionsgate. Robert Melnik negotiated the deals for the studio.
Zada is represented by CAA, Untitled Entertainment, RGM and Goodman, Genow, Schenkman, Smelkinson & Christopher. Peak is repped by CAA, Canopy Media Partners, Play Management, The Initiative Group, and Jackoway Austen Tyerman Wertheimer Mandelbaum Morris Bernstein Trattner Auerbach Hynick Jaime LeVine Sample & Klein.
Mckenna Grace is set join the cast of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping as Maysilee Donner, Haymitch Abernathy’s fellow District 12 Tribute. The studio announced yesterday that Joseph Zada will play Haymitch, with Whitney Peak playing Haymitch’s girlfriend, Lenore Dove Baird.
