With Sunrise at the Reaping, the subsequent prequel installment in The Hunger Games universe, anticipation is rising like a Mockingjay in flight. Fans are mainly eager to study greater approximately the casting—and surely one of the maximum important questions on absolutely everyone’s mind is: Who’s playing Haymitch Abernathy in Sunrise at the Reaping?
Haymitch, the sarcastic, war-worn victor of the fiftieth Hunger Games (a.Okay.A. The Second Quarter Quell), have come to be a fan-favored character manner to Woody Harrelson’s portrayal within the particular movie collection. Now, with the upcoming prequel diving into Haymitch’s origin tale, a more youthful actor will step into this iconic function. But who precisely is it?
In this put up, we’ll explore the showed casting (if any), the rumors swirling spherical Hollywood, fan dream alternatives, and what we will anticipate from the film version based mostly on Suzanne Collins’ upcoming novel.
Who Is Haymitch Abernathy?

Before we talk casting, permit’s revisit who Haymitch is and why his individual is so critical inside the Hunger Games saga.
Haymitch Abernathy is the only surviving victor from District 12 until Katniss and Peeta. He acquired the fiftieth Hunger Games, which featured instances as many tributes because of the merciless twist of the Quarter Quell. His win wasn’t just luck—it modified into based on clever thinking and defiance in the direction of the Capitol, foreshadowing the revolt to come back.
By the time of the authentic trilogy, Haymitch is a mentor to Katniss and Peeta—gruff, under the influence of alcohol, and emotionally damaged. But his backstory, hinted at in quick mentions at some degree within the collection, is full of trauma, loss, and defiance.
Sunrise at the Reaping ensures to inform the general story of ways a young Haymitch have come to be a victor—and a rise up.
Read Also: What Netflix movie is Russell Crowe and Ben Affleck in?
What Is Sunrise on the Reaping About?
Sunrise on the Reaping will adapt Suzanne Collins’ upcoming novel of the same call, which revisits Panem 24 years earlier than the events of The Hunger Games. The story will start at the morning of the Second Quarter Quell and center on Haymitch’s time in the area.
The Quarter Quell is a completely unique form of Hunger Games that occurs every 25 years, with brought “twists” meant to remind the districts of the Capitol’s power. For the fiftieth Games, the twist modified into doubling the quantity of tributes, making Haymitch’s victory even more mythical.
The film will likely find out:
As of now, Lionsgate has not formally confirmed who will painting young Haymitch Abernathy in Sunrise on the Reaping. However, casting bulletins are predicted quickly, and that hasn’t stopped the rumor mill from churning or lovers from dreaming up their ideal choices.
Let’s spoil down the opportunities.
Top Rumored Actors for Haymitch Abernathy
1. Jacob Elordi
Known for: Euphoria, Saltburn
Why he’s a fit: Elordi has the air of mystery, intensity, and side had to portray a individual as layered as Haymitch. He can do brooding with a bite—best for the emotionally tortured tribute-turned-victor.
2. Logan Lerman
3. Joe Keery
Known for: Stranger Things
Why he have to artwork: Keery has the capacity to aggregate allure and grit, and lovers assume he might also need to portray Haymitch’s evolution from clever-mouthed youngster to trauma-scarred victor convincingly.
4. Timothée Chalamet (not going however speculated)
Known for: Dune, Call Me by Your Name
Why it is doubtful: Chalamet is arguably too well-known and too busy. But fans can’t help imagining how he’d supply Haymitch’s cerebral aspect to existence.
What the Role Demands?
This is a position with excessive awards ability, and Lionsgate will possibly pick out out an actor with each crucial and fan attraction.
Read Also: What updates did Kim Chiu provide about her upcoming movie with Paulo Avelino?
Will Woody Harrelson Appear?
While Woody Harrelson received’t reprise his position as young Haymitch, fanatics are wondering if he might make a cameo or function a narrator, similar to Donald Sutherland’s brief voice art work in in advance movies.
There’s additionally capacity for older Haymitch to appear in a frame story, supplying context for his beyond and drawing connections to the precise trilogy.
How Will Sunrise at the Reaping Compare to The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes?
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes gave us a greater youthful, chillier model of President Snow and a richly specific view of early Hunger Games records. It also proved that Hunger Games prequels can paintings—each commercially and critically.
Emotional performances grounded in pain and insurrection
But not like Snow, Haymitch is a hero, albeit a unsuitable and reluctant one. That gives this film a very distinct tone—extra aligned with the authentic trilogy’s problems of resistance and sacrifice.
Release Date and Production Status
As of spring 2025, Lionsgate has added development of the movie, but filming has now not but started out. The e-book is expected to be released in early 2026, with the film possibly following in late 2026 or 2027.
Casting facts—mainly for Haymitch—have to drop any month now.
Fan Reactions and Speculation
On social media, the verbal exchange is heating up. Hashtags like #YoungHaymitch, #SunriseOnTheReaping, and #HungerGamesPrequel are trending frequently.
Some famous fan feedback encompass:
“Please stable a person who can deal with emotional complexity. Haymitch is NOT simply comic treatment.”
“This may be The Hunger Games' model of The Joker or Oppenheimer if finished right.”
“Jacob Elordi IS Haymitch. He definitely is.”
The fandom is definitely invested—and expectations are sky-immoderate.
Final Thoughts
Whoever ends up playing young Haymitch Abernathy in Sunrise at the Reaping might be taking up one of the most compelling roles in the Hunger Games universe. The position needs emotional variety, intensity, and a experience of ethical complexity that could outline a younger actor’s profession.
As Lionsgate prepares to dive back into Panem, the casting of Haymitch need to make or smash the movie—and enthusiasts are keeping their breath for the huge display.
With Sunrise at the Reaping, the subsequent prequel installment in The Hunger Games universe, anticipation is rising like a Mockingjay in flight. Fans are mainly eager to study greater approximately the casting—and surely one of the maximum important questions on absolutely everyone’s mind is: Who’s playing Haymitch Abernathy in Sunrise at the Reaping?
Haymitch, the sarcastic, war-worn victor of the fiftieth Hunger Games (a.Okay.A. The Second Quarter Quell), have come to be a fan-favored character manner to Woody Harrelson’s portrayal within the particular movie collection. Now, with the upcoming prequel diving into Haymitch’s origin tale, a more youthful actor will step into this iconic function. But who precisely is it?
In this put up, we’ll explore the showed casting (if any), the rumors swirling spherical Hollywood, fan dream alternatives, and what we will anticipate from the film version based mostly on Suzanne Collins’ upcoming novel.
Who Is Haymitch Abernathy?
Before we talk casting, permit’s revisit who Haymitch is and why his individual is so critical inside the Hunger Games saga.
Haymitch Abernathy is the only surviving victor from District 12 until Katniss and Peeta. He acquired the fiftieth Hunger Games, which featured instances as many tributes because of the merciless twist of the Quarter Quell. His win wasn’t just luck—it modified into based on clever thinking and defiance in the direction of the Capitol, foreshadowing the revolt to come back.
By the time of the authentic trilogy, Haymitch is a mentor to Katniss and Peeta—gruff, under the influence of alcohol, and emotionally damaged. But his backstory, hinted at in quick mentions at some degree within the collection, is full of trauma, loss, and defiance.
Sunrise at the Reaping ensures to inform the general story of ways a young Haymitch have come to be a victor—and a rise up.
Read Also: What Netflix movie is Russell Crowe and Ben Affleck in?
What Is Sunrise on the Reaping About?
Sunrise on the Reaping will adapt Suzanne Collins’ upcoming novel of the same call, which revisits Panem 24 years earlier than the events of The Hunger Games. The story will start at the morning of the Second Quarter Quell and center on Haymitch’s time in the area.
The Quarter Quell is a completely unique form of Hunger Games that occurs every 25 years, with brought “twists” meant to remind the districts of the Capitol’s power. For the fiftieth Games, the twist modified into doubling the quantity of tributes, making Haymitch’s victory even more mythical.
The film will likely find out:
As of now, Lionsgate has not formally confirmed who will painting young Haymitch Abernathy in Sunrise on the Reaping. However, casting bulletins are predicted quickly, and that hasn’t stopped the rumor mill from churning or lovers from dreaming up their ideal choices.
Let’s spoil down the opportunities.
Top Rumored Actors for Haymitch Abernathy
1. Jacob Elordi
Known for: Euphoria, Saltburn
Why he’s a fit: Elordi has the air of mystery, intensity, and side had to portray a individual as layered as Haymitch. He can do brooding with a bite—best for the emotionally tortured tribute-turned-victor.
2. Logan Lerman
3. Joe Keery
Known for: Stranger Things
Why he have to artwork: Keery has the capacity to aggregate allure and grit, and lovers assume he might also need to portray Haymitch’s evolution from clever-mouthed youngster to trauma-scarred victor convincingly.
4. Timothée Chalamet (not going however speculated)
Known for: Dune, Call Me by Your Name
Why it is doubtful: Chalamet is arguably too well-known and too busy. But fans can’t help imagining how he’d supply Haymitch’s cerebral aspect to existence.
What the Role Demands?
This is a position with excessive awards ability, and Lionsgate will possibly pick out out an actor with each crucial and fan attraction.
Read Also: What updates did Kim Chiu provide about her upcoming movie with Paulo Avelino?
Will Woody Harrelson Appear?
While Woody Harrelson received’t reprise his position as young Haymitch, fanatics are wondering if he might make a cameo or function a narrator, similar to Donald Sutherland’s brief voice art work in in advance movies.
There’s additionally capacity for older Haymitch to appear in a frame story, supplying context for his beyond and drawing connections to the precise trilogy.
How Will Sunrise at the Reaping Compare to The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes?
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes gave us a greater youthful, chillier model of President Snow and a richly specific view of early Hunger Games records. It also proved that Hunger Games prequels can paintings—each commercially and critically.
Emotional performances grounded in pain and insurrection
But not like Snow, Haymitch is a hero, albeit a unsuitable and reluctant one. That gives this film a very distinct tone—extra aligned with the authentic trilogy’s problems of resistance and sacrifice.
Release Date and Production Status
As of spring 2025, Lionsgate has added development of the movie, but filming has now not but started out. The e-book is expected to be released in early 2026, with the film possibly following in late 2026 or 2027.
Casting facts—mainly for Haymitch—have to drop any month now.
Fan Reactions and Speculation
On social media, the verbal exchange is heating up. Hashtags like #YoungHaymitch, #SunriseOnTheReaping, and #HungerGamesPrequel are trending frequently.
Some famous fan feedback encompass:
“Please stable a person who can deal with emotional complexity. Haymitch is NOT simply comic treatment.”
“This may be The Hunger Games' model of The Joker or Oppenheimer if finished right.”
“Jacob Elordi IS Haymitch. He definitely is.”
The fandom is definitely invested—and expectations are sky-immoderate.
Final Thoughts
Whoever ends up playing young Haymitch Abernathy in Sunrise at the Reaping might be taking up one of the most compelling roles in the Hunger Games universe. The position needs emotional variety, intensity, and a experience of ethical complexity that could outline a younger actor’s profession.
As Lionsgate prepares to dive back into Panem, the casting of Haymitch need to make or smash the movie—and enthusiasts are keeping their breath for the huge display.