Hunger Games Prequel Reveals First Look at Young Haymitch in Sunrise on the Reaping

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The new movie, *The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping*, will tell the story of Haymitch Abernathy’s win in the Hunger Games. We’ve now gotten our first look at Joseph Zada as a young Haymitch, a role Woody Harrelson famously played in the original four *Hunger Games* films. Haymitch was the victor of the 50th Hunger Games-the second Quarter Quell-and the movie will focus on the events of that pivotal year.

Joseph Zada, who was cast as Haymitch Abernathy in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping last April, has been spotted on set for the first time (photos via @thedistrictdispatch). The pictures reveal a banner showing Zada as Haymitch after winning the Hunger Games, with the caption “Our Victor, Your Hero.” Many have praised the casting choices for the film, and these photos confirm that Zada is a great fit for the role of a younger Haymitch.

What We Know About The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping

The Hunger Games film series has shown us the 74th, 75th (the final one), and 10th Hunger Games. The upcoming film, *The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping*, will focus on the 50th Hunger Games, which featured a particularly brutal change. This event, known as the second Quarter Quell, involved twice as many tributes – 48 instead of the usual 24 – competing in the arena. This increase was meant to remind everyone that during the rebellion, two rebels had died for every citizen of the Capitol. Despite the larger number of competitors, Haymitch still managed to win.

The upcoming movie is based on Suzanne Collins’ newest *Hunger Games* novel, which came out in March 2025. While it will feature new characters, it will also show younger versions of familiar faces like Effie Trinket (played by both Elizabeth Banks and Elle Fanning), Plutarch Heavensbee (Philip Seymour Hoffman and Jesse Plemons), Beetee (Jeffrey Wright and Kelvin Harrison Jr.), and Wiress (Amanda Plummer and Maya Hawke). Ralph Fiennes will take on the role of President Coriolanus Snow, following Donald Sutherland and Tom Blyth, and photos from the set (shared by @sunriseonthereapingupdates) have given us a peek at his costume.

The new book, *Sunrise on the Reaping*, will bridge the gap between the events of *The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes* and the original *Hunger Games* story. With so much more history to explore in this exciting and dramatic world, this book could open the door to further stories, including prequels and spin-offs. Joseph Zada, recently seen in *Invisible Boys* and *We Were Liars*, is perfectly cast as a young Haymitch Abernathy, and fans are eagerly awaiting the film’s release on November 20, 2026.

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2025-09-23 15:40