The "Hunger Games" film franchise has announced its latest casting choice for the new installment: Elle Fanning. The "A Complete Unknown" star's casting came immediately after two young faces were revealed to play Louella McCoy and Lou Lou.
In late April, the franchise began announcing its next generation of stars with the official casting of young Haymitch, Lenore Dove, Maysilee and Plutarch. Since then, more roles have been announced.
"Sunrise on the Reaping," Suzanne Collins' latest "Hunger Games" book, hit shelves March 18, and plans for a film adaptation were in the works well before the book came out.
In June 2024, shortly after "Sunrise on the Reaping" was announced, Lionsgate confirmed that a film adaptation of the story would premiere in theaters in November 2026.
Like "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes," "Sunrise on the Reaping" is a prequel to the "Hunger Games" series. The story follows 16-year-old Haymitch Abernathy as he navigates being reaped and having to fight to the death in the 50th annual Hunger Games.
The novel shows how Haymitch manages to win his Games, becoming a rebel in the process. For fans of the original trilogy, it also provides the much-needed backstory to Haymitch's standoffish behavior and unhealthy coping mechanisms that readers likely associate with Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark's mentor.
Read on to see which lucky actors' odds were in their favor when it came to casting decisions for the film adaptation, which is set to hit theaters Nov. 20, 2026.
Warning: Light spoilers for "Sunrise on the Reaping" below.
Haymitch Abernathy
Joseph Zada will play the film's main character, Haymitch Abernathy, who was originally played by Woody Harrelson in the previous "Hunger Games" adaptations.
The Haymitch that fans of Katniss' books know is vastly different than the one seen in "Sunrise on the Reaping." While Harrelson's Haymitch is a reluctant revolution leader struggling with alcoholism, Zada's version will showcase a young man thrust into a deadly game intending to protect his loved ones and send a message to the Capitol.
Who is Joseph Zada?
Zada, 20, will play 16-year-old Haymitch. His casting news was first announced via the official "Hunger Games" social media accounts on April 23.
Zada is from Sydney, Australia. Before being cast in "Sunrise on the Reaping," he had a handful of acting credits to his name.
Most recently, he played Charlie Roth, the main character in the Australian TV drama "Invisible Boys." Previously, he was in "Total Control," "The Speedway Murders" and "Bilched."
According to his IMDb, he has two other upcoming projects (excluding "Sunrise on the Reaping"): "We Were Liars," a 2025 adaptation of E. Lockhart's young adult mystery of the same name, and "East of Eden."
Lenore Dove Baird
Whitney Peak will play Lenore Dove Baird — the love of Haymitch's life and, for fans who read "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes," a relative of Lucy Gray (played by Rachel Zegler in the film).
Like Lucy Gray, Lenore Dove is part of the Covey — a traveling group of musicians that were confined to District 12. She was raised by Clerk Carmine and Tam Amber, who were both part of Lucy Gray's musical group and don't approve of Haymitch.
Lenore Dove loves to sing but has a penchant for trouble as her rebellious tendencies often get the better of her. At the start of the novel, to mark Haymitch's 16th birthday, she gifts him a gold flint striker, which becomes the token he brings into the Games.
Who is Whitney Peak?
Before being cast, Peak, 22, appeared in several shows and movies. She's best known for playing Stella in "Molly's Game" and Judith in "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina." She was also in the "Gossip Girl" reboot and "Hocus Pocus 2."
She has four upcoming projects excluding the new "Hunger Games," including "Eye for an Eye," "Shiver," "4 Kids Walk into a Bank" and "Trap House," per IMDb.
Maysilee Donner
Mckenna Grace will play Maysilee Donner, who is also part of District 12.
Haymitch initially dislikes Maysilee as the two come from different worlds. Haymitch, who lives in the Seam — the poorest part of District 12 — doesn't like Maysilee's display of wealth and privilege. On top of that, Maysilee is a bully, never skipping the opportunity to call someone out, especially when it comes to their fashion choices.
But after the two are reaped, Haymitch comes to understand Maysilee more, eventually forming an alliance with her.
Who is Mckenna Grace?
Grace is a well-known actor. As she began as a child star, Grace has more than 70 acting credits under her belt, per IMDb, despite only being 18 years old.
She's best known for playing Mary in "Gifted," Phoebe in "Ghostbusters: Afterlife," a young Tonya Harding in "I, Tonya" and Esther Keyes in “The Handmaid’s Tale,” the latter of which earned her an Emmy nomination.
She's also appeared in "The Vampire Diaries," "Dog with a Blog," "Once Upon a Time," "The Haunting of Hill House" and "Captain Marvel."
Plutarch Heavensbee
Jesse Plemons has been cast as Plutarch Heavensbee, a role first played by Philip Seymour Hoffman in the original "Hunger Games" adaptations.
The casting of Plemons as a younger Plutarch may not come as a surprise, since he and Hoffman played a son-and-father duo in "The Master."
When readers meet Plutarch in "Sunrise on the Reaping," he has yet to become a Gamemaker. Instead, he is a cameraman who has been assigned to capture the District 12 tributes' reaping and journey.
Even during the 50th Hunger Games, Plutarch shows that he sympathizes with the rebels' causes.
Who is Jesse Plemons?
While he has a lot of acting credits to his name, Plemons is most well-known for "The Irishman" and "The Power of the Dog," the latter of which earned him an Oscar nomination.
He has also appeared in the film "Killers of the Flower Moon" and TV's "Breaking Bad," "Friday Night Lights," "Love & Death," "Black Mirror" and "Fargo," receiving Emmy nods for the latter three.
Beetee Latier
Kelvin Harrison Jr. has been cast to play Beetee Latier — a role that was originally played by Jeffrey Wright in the initial "Hunger Games" films.
Just like Plemons had previously played Hoffman's son and now steps into his role, Harrison Jr. and Wright played a father-son duo in "Monster" (2018).
In "Sunrise on the Reaping," Beetee is still just as smart as ever and his rebellious streak is also apparent. Despite not being reaped himself in the prequel, he is still being punished by the Capitol for his rebellious tendencies as his son was reaped after the Capitol deemed Beetee's mind too important to kill.
Who is Kelvin Harrison Jr.?
Before being cast in the new "Hunger Games," Kelvin Harrison Jr., 30, was in "It Comes at Night," "Elvis," "Cyrano" and "Luce."
He's also been in multiple television series, like "Genius" and "Godfather of Harlem," and he's done some voice acting, including playing Taka in "Mufasa: The Lion King."
On top of filming "Sunrise on the Reaping," Harrison Jr. is also set to star in the new Jean-Michel Basquiat biopic, "Samo Lives." Basquiat's story has actually already been told. Previously, Jeffrey Wright played him in the 1996 film "Basquiat." Harrison Jr.'s casting as Beetee and Basquiat marks two times Harrison Jr. was casted in a role Wright had previously played.
Wiress
Maya Hawke has officially been cast to play Wiress, a role originated by Amanda Plummer in the original "Hunger Games" films.
Plummer's version of Wiress depicted her as a quirky woman who many thought was out of her mind, earning her the nickname "Nuts." However, in the prequel, Wiress doesn't have all the oddities her future self will show.
In "Sunrise on the Reaping," Wiress is assigned to be one of the District 12 tributes' mentors as there are no District 12 winners alive to assist them. She had won the games the year before by using her high intellect to hide in the arena made mostly of mirrors.
Who is Maya Hawke?
Maya Hawke is the daughter of Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman — the latter of which starred in "Pulp Fiction" alongside Plummer. When it comes to her acting credits, Hawke is perhaps best known for her portrayal of Robin Buckley in "Stranger Things."
She's also starred in "Do Revenge," "Inside Out 2," "Fear Street Part One: 1994" and "Maestro."
Hawke is also amongst the list of now famous actors who were cast in "Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood," alongside Mikey Madison, Sydney Sweeney, Margaret Qualley and Victoria Pedretti.
Mags Flanagan
Lili Taylor has been cast to play Mags Flanagan in "Sunrise on the Reaping."
In the initial "Hunger Games" films, Lynn Cohen played the role of Mags — an elderly tribute who volunteered during the 75th Hunger Games so that Annie Cresta wouldn't have to fight again. Before entering her second games, Mags was the victor of the 11th Games and mentored Finnick Odair during the 65th Games.
However, "Sunrise on the Reaping" reveals that Finnick wasn't the only tribute Mags mentored. She also mentored the District 12 tributes during the 50th Hunger Games — alongside Wiress.
In "Sunrise on the Reaping," Mags provides maternal and friendly support. Despite being from District 4, she understands the tributes and works to protect them as best she can.
Who is Lili Taylor?
Lili Taylor has done stints in horror, notably playing Carolyn Perron on "The Conjuring" and "The Nun." She's also appeared in TV series like "American Crime," "Outer Range," "Manhunt" and "Hemlock Grove."
According to IMDb, she has 91 acting credits to her name. Some of her other films include "I Shot Andy Warhol," "Mystic Pizza," "Dogfight" and "Pecker."
Wyatt Callow
Ben Wang has been cast to play Wyatt Callow in "Sunrise on the Reaping."
Wyatt is the other male District 12 tribute who is reaped alongside Haymitch, joining Maysilee and Louella. He is part of the Callow family in District 12, who are known as the Booker Boys for their role in taking bets on almost everything — including the Hunger Games.
While Wyatt doesn't take the bets, he has a particular talent for calculating odds.
Who is Ben Wang?
Ben Wang is best known as the upcoming star of the next installment in the "Karate Kid" franchise. Wang will star alongside Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio in "Karate Kid: Legends," set to premiere May 30.
According to IMDb, Ben Wang has 15 acting credits to his name. He notably appeared in the 2024 version of "Mean Girls" and starred as Jin Wang in "American Born Chinese."
President Snow
The big bad of the original "Hunger Games" trilogy, Panem President Coriolanus Snow, was originally played by Donald Sutherland.
Ralph Fiennes will take on the mantle in “Sunrise on the Reaping.”
The events of "Sunrise on the Reaping" will feature a Snow about 25 years younger than Sutherland's take on the character.
Fiennes will be the third actor to play the part of Snow. In the 2024 prequel film, "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes," Snow was played by Tom Blyth.
In "Sunrise on the Reaping," Snow is just as conniving as ever as he shows just how ruthless Panem's president can be.
Who is Ralph Fiennes?
Fiennes is no stranger to playing a major franchise villain. In addition to his star turns in "Conclave," "The Menu," "The Grand Budapest Hotel" and more, he may be best known for his portrayal of Lord Voldemort in the "Harry Potter" film franchise.
He's also been in other films like "Schindler's List," "The English Patient" and “Coriolanus” — which just so happens to be President Snow's first name.
Over his spanning career, Fiennes has been nominated for three Oscars, one Emmy, seven Golden Globes and two Tony’s — winning one for his titular role in "Hamlet."
Louella McCoy
District 12's second female tribute — alongside Maysilee Donner — is 13-year-old Louella McCoy. The role will be played by Molly McCann.
In "Sunrise on the Reaping," Louella is a Haymitch's neighbor. When she was little, she had a crush on Haymitch and told everyone he was her "sweetheart," a nickname he affectionately uses for her (and later on, Eagle-eyed fans may notice, Katniss) after she is reaped.
Who is Molly McCann?
Despite only being 10 years old, Molly McCann already has 19 acting credits to her name, per IMDb. She's been in movies like "Freelance," "Herself" and "Kathleen Was Here." She also played a young version of Dakota Fanning's character in "Sweetness in the Belly."
She's done some TV work too, appearing in episodes of "Bad Sisters," "The Holiday" and "The Vanishing Triangle."
Lou Lou
The role of Lou Lou in the upcoming prequel has gone to Iona Bell. In the book, Lou Lou has an odd origin story. Louella McCoy is reaped as one of District 12's tributes but dies in an accident before entering the arena. As the Capitol doesn't want to seem like there is any chaos, they cover up the death and replace Louella with a body double. The other District 12 tributes end up calling the body double Lou Lou.
Haymitch believes Lou Lou has brain damage. It's implied that she's initially from District 11 and has been tortured into repeating that she is Louella from District 12. The Capitol implanted two devices in her to give her instructions on what to say and to pump drugs into her.
Who is Iona Bell?
Iona Bell is an English actress who has only been in one short film before called "Pulp by Rind," per IMDb.
She has three upcoming projects, excluding the new "Hunger Games": "Frayed," "Savage Flowers," and "Fing!” which stars Taika Waititi.
Effie Trinket
Elle Fanning has been cast to play Effie Trinket.
Fanning will be stepping into the sparkly heels and colorful eyeshadow of Elizabeth Banks, who originated the part.
From her outrageous style, it's clear Effie is a Capitol citizen. However, she has a lot more compassion than others from the Capitol. During Katniss' games, Effie is an escort and advisor for the District 12 tributes. During "Sunrise on the Reaping," she acts as a last-minute stylist and escort for Haymitch.
Who is Elle Fanning?
Elle Fanning began her career as a child actor, making her first debut as the younger version of her sister Dakota Fanning in "I Am Sam."
She's gone on to do films like "A Complete Unknown," "Maleficent," "We Bought a Zoo," "Super 8" and "Cleo."
She also stars in the TV show "The Great," for which she received one Emmy nomination and three Golden Globe nominations.
While Fanning and Banks haven't been in a movie together, they both made separate guest appearances on "Robot Chicken" and "Law and Order: SVU."
