Updated April 25: Oscar-nominated actor Jesse Plemons will be playing the younger version of Philip Seymour Hoffman’s Plutarch Heavensbee. Late star Hoffman first brought the Head Gamemaker and rebellion leader character to the screen in “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1,” with “Part 2” being his final film role. Plemons’ take on Plutarch in the prequel film will begin in District 12 with the reaping of the Tributes.
“Jesse is one of the most talented actors of his generation, with a proven record of picking his roles selectively,” Erin Westerman, co-president, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, said in a press statement to IndieWire. “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. 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.”
Published April 24: May the odds ever be in the favor of these young actors. Lionsgate has cast three of the main roles in its upcoming “Hunger Games” prequel film, “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.“
Joseph Zada will play Haymitch Abernathy, the tribute from District 12 who was originally played by Woody Harrelson in the original “Hunger Games” films. Whitney Peak is playing Haymitch’s girlfriend, Lenore Dove Baird. Both parts were announced late Wednesday. And announced on Thursday to be joining the cast was McKenna Grace, who is playing the other District 12 tribute, Maysilee Donner.
“Sunrise on the Reaping” is based on the latest novel by Suzanne Collins that published last month, which flashes back to the so called “Second Quarter Quell,” or the 50th Hunger Games, taking place 24 years before the events of the first “Hunger Games” book and after the events of the last prequel film “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.”
“The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping” will be released in theaters on November 20, 2026. Francis Lawrence, who has directed the majority of the series, is again returning to the director’s chair, working from a script adaptation by Billy Ray. Color Force’s Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson will produce. Cameron MacConomy will executive produce. The five previous films in the franchise have taken in over $3.3 billion at the box office.
Both Zada and Peak could both be poised for breakouts thanks to landing the lead roles. Zada is known for the Stan Australia series “Invisible Boys” and will soon be seen in Amazon’s “We Were Liars” series and Netflix’s adaptation of “East of Eden” starring Florence Pugh.
Peak will be the lead in Sony’s upcoming shark thriller “Shiver” opposite Phoebe Dynevor, and will be seen alongside Liam Neeson and Teresa Palmer in “4 Kids Walk into a Bank” for Amazon MGM’s Orion label. She’s also starring in the upcoming “Gossip Girl” reboot on Max and was in “Hocus Pocus 2.” Peak is also a model who will be the new face of the Coco Mademoiselle fragrance for Chanel.
Grace has the most name recognition of the trio so far, known for “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” and “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire,” and she’s got a busy year ahead with the Colleen Hoover adaptation “Regretting You,” Blumhouse’s “Kiss of Death” and “Five Nights at Freddy’s 2,” Spyglass’ “Scream 7,” and Lionsgate’s “Anniversary.”
“The Hunger Games franchise has long been a launching pad for remarkable young actors, and Jo and Whitney carry that legacy forward with incredible heart, depth, and fire,” said Lionsgate’s Erin Westerman. “After auditioning hundreds of gifted performers from around the world, these two stood out— not just for their talent, but for the emotional truth they brought to these iconic roles. Haymitch has always been a fan favorite, and his origin story is one of the most anticipated in the franchise. His relationship with Lenore Dove is deeply woven into the emotional history of Panem. We can’t wait for fans to experience the story that shaped one of the most compelling characters in the series.”
“Deb Zane and Dylan Jury oversaw an exhaustive (and exhausting!) search to find a young actor with the skill and imagination to embody young Haymitch,” added Jacobson. “Jo prepared like crazy and stole our hearts. Then Whitney took our breath away as Lenore Dove. When we put the two of them together, it was one of those magical casting moments when you know your search has led you home.”
Meredith Wieck and Scott O’Brien are overseeing the project for Lionsgate. Robert Melnik negotiated the deals for the studio.
Zada is represented by CAA, Untitled Entertainment, RGM and Goodman, Genow, Schenkman, Smelkinson & Christopher. Peak is repped by CAA, Canopy Media Partners, Play Management, The Initiative Group, and Jackoway Austen Tyerman Wertheimer Mandelbaum Morris Bernstein Trattner Auerbach Hynick Jaime LeVine Sample & Klein. Grace is represented by CAA, Entertainment 360, and Hansen, Jacobson, Teller, Hoberman, Newman, Warren, Richman, Rush, Kaller, Gellman, Meigs & Fox.
