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The movie adaptation of Sunrise on the Reaping is set to start filming in July, with locations spanning across Germany. Hunger Games fans everywhere are SCREAMING.

The question on everyone’s lips remains the same — who will be cast as young Haymitch??

It can’t be just anyone. We’ve been waiting since 2008 (when the first Hunger Games book was released) for the backstory of Katniss Everdeen’s elusive mentor.

13 years later, we’re finally getting to see young Haymitch come to life on screen, and I just know eight-year-old me would be so jealous (and fangirling, hard).

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Now that I’ve read Sunrise on the Reaping, I don’t think I’m mentally prepared to see what he’s about to go through on screen. Leave our baby boy alone, Snow (and I’m talking to you too, Suzanne Collins).

Let’s quickly recap the book before we get into the casting rumours.

PS: I’ve ensured that there are no spoilers, so you can enjoy all of the potential cast fear-free. If you’re yet to snag a copy of Sunrise on the Reaping, you can do so here.

Jump to the casting clues here.

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What is the Sunrise on the Reaping book about?

Set 24 years before the first Hunger Games book, Sunrise on the Reaping takes place during the 50th Hunger Games. We follow 16-year-old Haymitch Abernathy from District 12 as he’s forced to fight in the second Quarter Quell. His one goal? Survive for his girlfriend, Lenore Dove.

Check out our Sunrise on the Reaping lore recap here for more. (FYI, there will be spoilers there. You have been warned).

Will Sunrise on the Reaping be a movie?

Yes, Sunrise on the Reaping will be made into a movie — set 40 years after The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. The film’s creators, Lionsgate, announced that the second prequel would be made into a film on June 6, 2024, coinciding with the book announcement.

The good news is that the same director, Francis Lawrence, from previous films in The Hunger Games franchise (except the OG) will be on board.

Lionsgate also confirmed that it’s bringing back the Hunger Games scriptwriter Billy Ray at CinemaCon in March 2025.

We can all breathe a collective sigh of relief that Sunrise on the Reaping is in good hands. We’d be rioting against the Capitol if not.

When will Sunrise on the Reaping be released in Australia?

The film version of Sunrise on the Reaping will be released in Australia on November 20, 2026. How are we supposed to wait that long, Lionsgate?? Luckily, we’ve got casting rumours to get us by. Otherwise, I don’t know how I’d cope.

Who is being cast in Sunrise on the Reaping?

Lionsgate has yet to confirm Sunrise on the Reaping’s casting, but here are all the rumours we have so far.

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Who is going to play young Effie in Sunrise on the Reaping?

Elle Fanning has reportedly been offered the role of young Effie Trinket in Sunrise On The Reaping, according to Nexus Point News. The casting has also been confirmed by an anonymous source to The Wrap, and all I have to say is EEEKKKKK. Fanning was literally my fan cast for Effie, so all my dreams are coming true!

Fanning has Effie’s innocent look down pat — just look at her in Maleficent. Her character, Briar, is a stark contrast to Effie, who (initially) turns a blind eye to kids getting killed.

Plus, take a look at Fanning’s Instagram. It’s soooo Effie-coded.

She’d be obsessed with Fanning’s ball gowns that combine different textures and patterns.

*If this isn’t a young Effie, I don’t know want it. Credit: Elle Fanning.*

Set long before she became an escort for District 12, Fanning’s (alleged) role follows Effie as an assistant stylist, where she meets young Haymitch for the first time.

If grown-up Haymitch (played by Woody Harrelson) and Effie (played by Elizabeth Banks) don’t get together in Sunrise on the Reaping… I will stab the mahogany with a butter knife. Mark my words.

Who is going to play Drusilla in Sunrise on the Reaping?

Emma Thompson is “in talks” to play Drusilla Sickle in Sunrise on the Reaping, per Nexus Point News. If you haven’t heard of Drusilla before, all you need to know is that she’s Haymitch’s escort to the Capitol.

This is the first time Drusilla’s character will be introduced on screen, so her interpretation needs to be on the ball.

Drusilla’s character is in good hands if the rumours are true, as Thompson kills it in any role she plays. The way she makes me cry every single time that I watch Love Actually is wild.

Who is going to play young Haymitch in Sunrise on the Reaping?

Charlie Plummer is “being eyed” to play young Haymitch in Sunrise on the Reaping, according to Nexus Point News. If Plummer’s name sounds familiar, that’s because he played Pudge, Alaska’s love interest, in the TV series Looking For Alaska (based on the book by the beloved John Green). You know what that means? He’s had years of practice smouldering for the camera — hello, fan edits.

Who is going to play President Snow in Sunrise on the Reaping?

Sadly, the previous President Snow actor, Donald Sutherland, passed away in 2024 at the age of 88. Sutherland left a big hole to fill, but he’ll never truly be replaced, immortalised forever in The Hunger Games movies. You can watch The Hunger Games here.

Ralph Fiennes is rumoured to take on the role of President Snow in Sunrise on the Reaping, according to casting insider Daniel Richtman.

Fiennes nailed daddy Voldemort in Harry Potter, so it seems only fitting that he takes on yet another snazzy yet evil villain. This is the closest thing we’ll get to a fandom crossover, and I’m so here for it.

However, some fans are pushing for the original actor’s son, Kiefer Sutherland, to play President Snow instead and continue the family legacy. Only time will tell.

My burning question is — will young President Snow (played by Tom Blyth) make an appearance?? Can confirm that it would make me the happiest gal around.

Who is going to play Ceaser Flickerman in Sunrise on the Reaping?

Host Caesar Flickerman could potentially be played by Kieran Culkin in Sunrise on the Reaping, according to, you guessed it, Richtman again. Kieran’s casting would mark the first time Stanley Tucci doesn’t star as Ceaser, including when Tucci played the younger version of Flickerman in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. You can buy The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes here. Or, you can watch The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes here.

Culkin was a fan favourite during Succession, so I love the thought of him bringing to life another iconic character in his heyday. We’re truly living in the Kieran Culkin renaissance, and I’m SO HERE for it.

Who is going to play Plutarch Heavensbee in Sunrise on the Reaping?

Philip Seymour Hoffman, who played Plutarch Heavensbee in The Hunger Games, also sadly passed away in 2014 at 46 years old. Hoffman played a brilliant Plutarch — I really wouldn’t have known he was on the good guy’s team if I hadn’t read the books first.

Daniel has tipped off Jesse Plemons to play Head Gamemaker Plutarch Heavensbee. Plemons has previously been in many blockbuster hits and TV shows — Black Mirror, Breaking Bad and Game Night, to name a few.

Personally, I reckon Plemons would absolutely nail Plutarch’s nonchalant vibe. I dig it.

Will the original actors be in Sunrise on the Reaping?

Going off the book, the original movie actors could be in Sunrise on the Reaping if they do a time jump ahead. We also get Woody Harrelson’s (who plays the older Haymitch) voice in the trailer, confirming that he’ll be in the movie.

“I think these games are gonna be different,” he voices. Okay, elusive king.

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If Harrelson is in the movie, this means that we could actually have a glimpse of our favourite star-crossed lovers, Katniss Everdeen (played by Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (played by Josh Hutcherson).

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Do you know what the cherry on top would be? If they put a snippet of Lucy Gray Baird (played by Rachel Zegler) at the end. Life = made.

Do you have any fan casts or Sunrise on the Reaping theories? If so, send me an email below. I’d love to discuss them with you!

May the odds be ever in your favour with The Hunger Games merch below.

Sunrise on the Reaping special edition

Can’t you just imagine how this special edition of Sunrise on the Reaping will look on your bookshelf? I’m obsessed with the gold detailing and velvet wrap.

Shop Sunrise on the Reaping, $259.61

A personalised letter from Haymitch (no, I’m not kidding)

You can finally live out your Haymitch fantasy with a personalised letter from him. Also, $10 for a 1500+ word count? What a bargain.

Shop Personalised Letter From Haymitch, $9.78

Peeta engraved wooden spoon

Now, YOU can bake bread with Peeta. He’ll even help you stir the dough. Move aside, Katniss; he’s feeding us bread this time.

Shop Peeta Engraved Wooden Spoon, $15.10

The Hunger Games candle

Hopefully, your family will get the hint that you want to be left alone with your book. You can even personalise the candle with your name or the names of your book besties.

Shop The Hunger Games Candle, $41.54