Lionsgate/Kobal/Shutterstock ; Hugh Stewart Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reapingis set to premiere in November 2026 The prequel film takes place 24 years beforeThe Hunger Gamesmovie and 25 years beforeCatching Fire Many of the characters from the original franchise will appear in the upcoming prequel, but they've been cast with new actors The Hunger Gamesfans are getting to see their favorite characters in a whole new light. Following the 2023 filmThe Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, which told the backstory of the famous Panem tyrant President Coriolanus Snow, Lionsgate announced in June 2024 that another prequel was in the works. Sunrise on the Reapingtakes place 24 years before the events of the original 2012 film and centers on the competitors of the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell. It's adapted fromSuzanne Collins' 2025 book of the same name. The movie follows Haymitch Abernathy (played byWoody Harrelsonin the original franchise) as he competes in the games and features other notable characters from the franchise, like Plutarch Heavensbee and Effie Trinket. Though newcomerJoseph Zadawas cast to star as a young Haymitch, the rest ofthe prequel's castis made up of recognizable A-listers likeJesse PlemonsandMaya Hawke. Ahead of the film's premiere on Nov. 20, 2026, take a look at theSunrise on the Reapingcast side-by-side with the actors who originated their legendary roles. © Lionsgate/Entertainment Pictures/ZUMAPRESS.com ; Prime Video/ Instagram Harrelson played Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark's (Josh Hutcherson) mentor Haymitch Abernathy for all four of the originalHunger Gamesmovies — and joked that through modern technology, he could do so again. In a March 2025 interview withScreenRant, theCheersalum quipped that he would reprise the teenage version of his iconic role inSunrise on the Reapingusing artificial intelligence, adding that it wasn't "that long ago" since he'd been 16. In reality, Zada was tapped to star in the 2025 prequel, which follows a young Haymitch who's chosen as District 12's tribute for the 50th Hunger Games. The Australian actor led the series adaptation of Holden Sheppard's bookInvisible Boysin 2025 and was cast alongsideFlorence PughandMike Faistin the upcoming Netflix adaptation of John Steinbeck's 1952 novelEast of Eden. Murray Close/Getty ; John Nacion/GG2025/Penske Media via Getty In what would be one of his final roles before hedied of acute mixed drug intoxicationin 2014,Philip Seymour Hoffmanplayed gamemaker Plutarch Heavensbee inCatching Fireand both parts ofMockingjay. Plemons will take on the role in the prequel film. The casting choice marks a full-circle moment forThe Power of the Dogactor, whoacted opposite Hoffmanin the 2012 dramaThe Master. "We are honored that he has chosen to bring his own take to one of the most fascinating figures in Panem, and feel that his previous collaboration with Philip Seymour Hoffman makes it all the more special," co-president of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Erin Westerman said in a statement. She continued, "His Plutarch will be both a tribute to the character fans have already come to know and a portrayal he makes his own. We can't wait for audiences to see it." Murray Close/©Lionsgate/courtesy Everett Collection ; Vivien Killilea/Getty Jeffrey Wrightplayed the brainy Beetee Latier inCatching FireandMockingjay Part 1andPart 2, but the District 3 tribute was far from the first iconic role the actor helmed. Prior to joining theHunger Gamesfranchise, he was best known for his portrayal of CIA operative Felix Leiter in theJames Bondfilms. Though Wright told theNew York Postin November 2024 that he would give "serious consideration" to returning to the series, the former victor will be played byKelvin Harrison Jr., inSunrise on the Reaping. The actorportrayed Martin Luther King Jr.in the anthology seriesGeniusandvoiced Takain the 2024Lion KingprequelMufasa. Lionsgate/Kobal/Shutterstock ; Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty In the 2013 filmCatching Fire, Amanda Plummer was cast as the eccentric Wiress, who suffered a mental breakdown after winning the 49th Hunger Games. Before the role, the long-time actress won aTony Awardfor her performance inAgnes of Godin 1982, and played Honey Bunny in the 1994 cult classicPulp Fiction. The lateChristopher Plummer, who died in 2021, was her father. In May 2025,Deadlinereported that Hawke would play the younger version of the character. Similar to her Wiress predecessor, she also comes from Hollywood royalty as the daughter ofUma ThurmanandEthan Hawke. The actress is also known for her roles inStranger Things,Asteroid Cityand as the voice of Anxiety inInside Out 2. Lionsgate/Kobal/Shutterstock ; Michael Loccisano/Getty Lynn Cohenwas cast inCatching Fireas Mags Flanagan, a tribute from District 4 who won the 11th Hunger Games. The actress — best known for playing Magda for three seasons ofSex and the City— died in 2020. Outer RangestarLili Taylorwill take over the role of Mags inSunrise on the Reaping. In addition to acting in notable projects likeThe ConjuringandMystic Pizza, the actress alsopublished a book of essaysin 2025 titledTurning to Birds. Murray Close/©Lionsgate/Courtesy Everett Collection ; © Lionsgate /Courtesy Everett Collection ; Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty For all fourHunger Gamesfilms, the lateDonald Sutherlandstarred as the manipulative and all-powerful dictator, President Snow. The Emmy-winning actordied in 2024following a long illness. Lionsgate announced in May 2025 thatRalph Fienneswouldplay the antagonistin the 2025 prequel. Producer Nina Jacobson said in a statement that they hoped to honor Sutherland "by having one of this generation's greatest actors play President Snow." "Working with Ralph has been on my bucket list since he traumatized me for life inSchindler's List," she said. "It's genuinely a thrill to welcome him to the Hunger Games." Tom Blythalso played teenage President Snow in the 2023 filmThe Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, which served as the villain's origin story. Murray Close/©Lionsgate/Courtesy Everett Collection ; Amy Sussman/Getty Outside of Katniss and Peeta, no role in theHunger Gamesfranchise was as iconic as that ofElizabeth Banks' Effie Trinket. ThePitch Perfectactress played the flamboyantly fashionable Capitol chaperone for all fourHunger Gamesfilms until 2015. "From the moment Suzanne released the book, one question echoed from fans around the world: Who will play Effie?" Westerman toldThe Hollywood Reporterin May 2025, after announcing thatElle Fanningwould take over the role. She continued, "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 … [Fanning] was the undeniable fan favorite from the start, and we're honored she answered the call." Banks congratulated the actress on her Instagram Stories, reposting the casting announcement from the film's official account with a string of heart emojis. Murray Close/Lionsgate/Courtesy Everett; Swan Gallet/WWD via Getty Stanley Tuccioriginated the role of Caesar Flickerman, a Capitol newscaster who has a flair for the dramatic — and is (lovingly) out of touch. Though Tucci's portrayal is a fan favorite,Sunrise on the Reaping's Flickerman will be played by none other thanKieran Culkin, who people fan-cast to take on the role since the announcements started rolling out. Culkin is best known for playing the foul-mouthed, charismatic Roman Roy onSuccessionand most recentlywon an Oscarfor Best Supporting Actor for his work in 2024'sA Real Pain. Read the original article onPeople
