The Hunger Games: "Stranger Things" and "Karate Kid" Stars Cast for Prequel "Sunrise on the Reaping"
Most recently, Breaking Bad actor Jesse Plemons was cast as Plutarch Heavensbee
News from Panem: The casting process for the "The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping" continues to progress. After one or two actors have already been announced in the last few weeks, further roles have now been cast.
Like all films, "Sunrise on the Reaping" is once again based on a novel by author Suzanne Collins. It will be the second prequel film after "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes". This time, the main character is Katniss' later mentor Haymitch Abernathy, who is taking part in the 50th Hunger Games. Due to the anniversary, twice as many tributes have to compete against each other. As always, there will only be one winner.
Maya Hawke as Wiress
The industry portal Deadline has now reported on the casting of Maya Hawke. The actress is best known for her role as Robin Buckley in "Stranger Things". She has been an integral part of the Netflix series hit since season 3. She also played a leading role in the Netflix film "Do Revenge".
In "Sunrise on the Reaping" she will be seen as Wiress. Wiress is the winner of the 49th Hunger Games. In "Sunrise on the Reaping", she is a mentor for the tributes from District 12. The character later took part in the Hunger Games again. In "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" , Wiress was played by Amanda Plummer.
Ben Wang as Wyatt Callow
Variety also reports that Ben Wang has been signed up. Wang played the main character in the Disney+ series "American Born Chinese". The young actor has some big projects lined up for the future. He will soon be seen in the lead role in "Karate Kid: Legends" alongside Jackie Chan. He is also part of the cast of the upcoming Stephen King adaptation "The Long Walk". And now there's "Sunrise on the Reaping": Here he will portray Wyatt Callow. Wyatt is another tribute from District 12 alongside Haymitch.
Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee
Recently, Deadline also reported on the new actor of Plutarch Heavensbee: "Breaking Bad" actor Jesse Plemons. In recent years, the actor has also taken on roles in the sci-fi series "Black Mirror" and "The Power of the Dog". Heavensbee was played by Academy Award winner Philip Seymour Hoffman in the previous "Panem" films.
Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Beetee Latier
Meanwhile, Kelvin Harrison Jr. will play Beetee Latier. Beetee is the winner of the 34th Hunger Games. From "Catching Fire" onwards, the character was also part of the "Panem" series and was played by Jeffrey Wright, who can currently be seen in the 2nd season of "The Last of Us".
Lili Taylor as Mags Flanagan
Lili Taylor was also cast as Mags Flanagan, who also played a role in "Catching Fire". Back then, the character was played by Lynn Cohen. Mags is the winner of the 11th Hunger Games. Horror fans might recognize Lili Taylor from "The Conjuring".
Many characters from "Catching Fire"
"The Hunger Games" fans will notice: Many characters from "Catching Fire" will be seen in "Sunrise on the Reaping". One reason for this is that the 2nd part is probably the most popular film in the series. In "Catching Fire", previous winners of the Hunger Games have to compete against each other in the 75th edition due to the anniversary. This is why there are also some slightly older characters who can now be seen in their younger years in "Sunrise on the Reaping".
Cast so far
Joseph Zada has already been cast in the lead role of Haymitch. In the four original films, Haymitch was played by Hollywood star Woody Harrelson. The character is one of the fan favorites of the "Panem" series. Also known are: Whitney Peak as Haymitch's girlfriend Lenore Dove Baird and McKenna Grace as Maysilee Donner. Further details can be found here.
Start date
Filming of the prequel is scheduled to start in July 2025. The film will once again be directed by "I Am Legend" director Francis Lawrence, who has directed all "Panem" films since "Catching Fire". The film is scheduled for release on November 20, 2026.
