Joseph Zada, Whitney Peak Cast in ‘Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping’

by Annika April 24, 2025

Joseph Zada and Whitney Peak have been cast in the prequel of the Hunger Games series, “Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping”. Zada will play popular character Haymitch Abernathy and Peak his girlfriend, Lenore Dove Baird. The film, based on the best-selling book and directed by Francis Lawrence, takes place 24 years before the original Hunger Games series. The movie is set to release on November 20, 2026.

Joseph Zada, Whitney Peak Cast in ‘Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping’

– The upcoming “Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping” prequel film stars Joseph Zada as Haymitch Abernathy and Whitney Peak as his girlfriend, Lenore Dove Baird. The movie, set 24 years before the original Hunger Games story, dramatizes Haymitch’s experience in the 50th Hunger Games.
– Francis Lawrence returns to direct and Bill Ray reprises his role as screenwriter for the film, which is based on the bestselling book of the same name and will be released on November 20, 2026.
– Zada and Peak were chosen for their emotional authenticity and talent out of hundreds of performers worldwide, according to Erin Westerman, co-president of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group.

The lead roles for the highly anticipated “Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping” have been filled by Joseph Zada and Whitney Peak. Zada will portray Haymitch Abernathy, a character beloved by series fans who later becomes mentor to protagonist Katniss Everdeen in the Hunger Games. Peak is set to play Haymitch’s love interest, Lenore Dove Baird. In the original Hunger Games films, Woody Harrelson played Haymitch.

Francis Lawrence is returning to helm the film, with screenwriter Bill Ray also returning to craft the narrative. The storyline, based on a bestselling book that sold 1.2 million copies in the U.S. in its opening week, is set in Panem. The events kick off 24 years prior to the original Hunger Games saga, on the day of the reaping for the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell, in which Haymitch takes part.

Color Force’s Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson are producing the film, while Cameron MacConomy works as executive producer.

“The Hunger Games franchise has offered a platform for emerging young actors, and Jo and Whitney persist this tradition with fantastic depth, heart, and intensity,” said the co-president of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, Erin Westerman. “After reviewing auditions from hundreds of talented performers across the globe, these two made their mark, not just with their skills, but with the emotional sincerity they conveyed in these significant roles.”

“Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping” is slated for release on Nov. 20, 2026.

Zada is set to appear in an upcoming Amazon series, “We Were Liars,” and is taking a leading role alongside Florence Pugh and Mike Faist in the Netflix film, “East of Eden”. Meanwhile, Peak is known for her work on the Gossip Girl reboot. Next, she will be part of Sony’s shark thriller “Shiver” with Phoebe Dynevor.