Hunger Games Sunrise on the Reaping cast: Who will star in the Haymitch prequel?
11 April 2025, 17:20 | Updated: 13 April 2025, 20:14
Stars including Emma Thomspon, Elle Fanning and Ralph Fiennes have been linked to Sunrise on the Reaping and Hunger Games fans are convinced that Woody Harrelson will return to play Haymitch.
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I think these games are going to be different! A new Hunger Games movie is officially coming in 2026 but who's been cast in Sunrise on the Reaping and why do fans think that Woody Harrelson is coming back to play Haymitch again?
On April 1st, Lionsgate unveiled the first teaser trailer for Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. Based on the new Suzanne Collins prequel book of the same name, the film will tell the story of young Haymitch's experience in the 50th Hunger Games. Not only is the plot gripping but plenty of fan fave characters also show up in the novel.
As a result, fans are desperate to know which actors have signed on to star in the upcoming Hunger Games prequel and huge names including Emma Thompson, Elle Fanning and Ralph Fiennes are reportedly in talks to star.
- Read more: Every iconic Hunger Games character who returns in Sunrise on the Reaping
- Read more: Hunger Games' Josh Hutcherson says he would "happily" play Peeta again
WARNING: Sunrise on the Reaping spoilers below
Watch the first Hunger Games - Sunrise on the Reaping teaser
Who will play Haymitch in Sunrise on the Reaping?
According to Forbes, rising star Charlie Plummer is currently in talks to play a younger version of Haymitch in Sunrise on the Reaping. Charlie is best known for playing Miles in Looking for Alaska and already has long blonde hair similar to Woody Harrelson's. Charlie is currently 25 years old. Meanwhile, Haymitch is 16 in Sunrise on the Reaping.
Talking to Variety about casting young Haymitch, Hunger Games producer Nina Jacobson teased: "It’s an interesting challenge. Because of this early manuscript not being published, we haven’t even been able to read actors for fear that sides could leak! We’ve been holding our breath for a long time."
She said: "I think that what we’re looking for in that role is, you don’t want somebody who’s impersonating Woody, but you want somebody who very credibly feels like they could be a young version of this character, before the trauma and grief and rage that the fallout of the Games create.”
Nina ended by explaining: "Nobody can be Woody Harrelson but Woody Harrelson."
Who will play President Snow in Sunrise on the Reaping?
According to Forbes, Ralph Fiennes is currently tipped to play Coriolanus Snow in Sunrise on the Reaping. In the past, Snow has been portrayed by the late Donald Sutherland and, more recently, Tom Blyth. Ralph is best known for his work in critically acclaimed films like Schindler's List, The Grand Budapest Hotel and The Menu.
Ralph is also no stranger to playing villains from popular franchises. The actor portrayed Lord Voldemort in all eight Harry Potter films.
Who will play Caesar Flickerman in Sunrise on the Reaping?
Stanley Tucci's Caesar Flickerman is a fan favourite character in the original Hunger Games films and he appears in Sunrise on the Reaping as the Hunger Games host too. Forbes are tipping Succession actor and A Real Pain Oscar winner Kieran Culkin to take on the role.
Jason Schwartzman previously played Caesar Flickerman's relative Lucky Flickerman in A Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. It's never confirmed in the film or books but fans believe Caesar is Lucky's dad.
Who will play Effie in Sunrise on the Reaping?
Fans of the original Hunger Games books and films, will be pleased to know that young Effie makes an appearance in Sunrise on the Reaping. She helps style young Haymitch and the rest of the District 12 tributes long before she was tasked with being the District 12 tribute escort for Katniss and Peeta.
Forbes have reported that Elle Fanning is currently linked to the role. Elle is most famous for her work acting in films like The Beguiled, A Complete Unknown and Maleficent. Effie was portrayed by Elizabeth Banks in the first four Hunger Games movies.
Who will play Drusilla in Sunrise on the Reaping?
According to Forbes, beloved British actress Emma Thompson is in talks to play Drusilla in Sunrise on the Reaping. Like Effie in the original series, Drusilla is District 12's tribute escort. However, unlike Effie, Drusilla shows no sympathy or kindness to the District 12 tributes. She's a true villain.
Emma has previously starred in films like Love Actually, Nanny McPhee and the Harry Potter movies. She also won Best Actress at the Academy Awards for her role in Howards End.
Who will play Plutarch in Sunrise on the Reaping?
Finally, Forbes have claimed that Jesse Plemons is set to play young Plutarch Heavensbee. Previously played by the late Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Plutarch is the rebellious gamemaker in the 75th Hunger Games. In Sunrise on the Reaping, Plutarch acts as a videographer for Haymitch's games.
Jesse is best known for his work in series like Friday Night Lights, Breaking Bad and Fargo.
Will Woody Harrelson be in the new Hunger Games?
Based on the book and the new teaser, people are convinced that Woody Harrelson is returning to play Haymitch one last time. Sunrise on the Reaping ends with an epilogue set after the events of Mockingjay. In it, Haymitch opens up about his past and his experience in the games to Katniss and Peeta. He effectively tells them his entire story.
As a result, it's possible that Woody Harrelson, Jennifer Lawrence (Katniss) and Josh Hutcherson (Peeta) will reprise their roles in Sunrise on the Reaping. If so, it's unclear if they will just appear in the epilogue or if the film will begin with Woody as Haymitch telling Katniss and Peeta his story before flashing back to show it.
The first Sunrise on the Reaping teaser ends with Woody Harrelson as Haymitch saying: "I think these games are going to be different." Woody as Haymitch actually said this in Catching Fire so it is unclear if he's signed on to appear in Sunrise on the Reaping just yet.
Reacting to Woody's voice in the comments on The Hunger Games' official Instagram account, one fan wrote: "SCREAMING!!! DOES THIS MEAN WOODYS COMING BACK FOR THE EPILOGUE?!"
Both Jennifer and Josh have also said that they would love to play Katniss and Peeta again but it's yet to be confirmed if they and/or Woody will appear in Sunrise on the Reaping.
In terms of other characters, there's Haymitch's one true love Lenore dove and his fellow tributes: Louella, Wyatt and Maysilee. Not to mention, plenty of other iconic characters appear in the book as their younger selves so we will see young Mags, young Wiress, young Beetee and many more in the film.
No official casting details have been revealed just yet but bookmark this page and we'll let you know as soon as anything is confirmed.
Read more from Capital Buzz here:
- How does Katniss know 'The Hanging Tree' song? Hunger Games' Lucy Gray legacy explained
- Hunger Games fans spot huge easter egg in Snow's Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes costumes
- Hunger Games' Sunrise on the Reaping reveals harrowing way Haymitch became a tribute
- Hunger Games' Sunrise on the Reaping plot summary and book ending explained
- Sam Claflin says he wants to play Finnick's dad in Hunger Games prequel
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