The next film in the Hunger Games franchise is The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, which explores the story of Haymitch Abernathy from the original series. Originally introduced as a mentor for Katniss and Peeta, Haymitch is a previous Hunger Games winner who survived the especially brutal Second Quarter Quell, which involved double the usual amount of contestants.
Sunrise on the Reaping reveals the tragic story that led Haymitch to the life of loneliness and alcoholism we see him leading throughout the series. Telling that story is a new group of actors taking on younger versions of characters we’ve seen before. This guide will explain who the major players are in Sunrise on the Reaping and what to know about the new cast.
Haymitch Abernathy (Joseph Zada)
Previously played by Woody Harrelson
As mentioned, Haymitch is the protagonist of Sunrise on the Reaping, which shows him as an outspoken and rebellious 16 year old from District 12. During the Second Quarter Quell, Haymitch won when his axe rebounded off a force field and killed the only other surviving tribute. However, viewing this as an act of defiance, President Snow has his loved ones killed in retaliation. Australian actor Joseph Zada takes over the role from Woody Harrelson, who played Haymitch in all four of the original films. Zada has previously appeared in Invisible Boys and We Were Liars. Sunrise on the Reaping will be his first major film role.
Coriolanus Snow (Ralph Fiennes)
Previously played by Donald Sutherland (Original series) and Tom Blyth (The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes)
President Snow, the only character to appear in all Hunger Games films to date, will also be back for Sunrise on the Reaping. Snow is the main antagonist for most of the series, though he’s the main character of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, which dives into his youth and relationship with District 12 tribute Lucy Gray Baird. Taking on the role this time is Ralph Fiennes, who is best known for playing another iconic villain: Lord Voldemort in the Harry Potter series. Outside of that, Fiennes has been nominated for three Academy Awards for Schindler’s List, The English Patient, and, most recently, Conclave.
Effie Trinket (Elle Fanning)
Previously played by Elizabeth Banks
Known for her bold and colorful fashion choices, a younger Effie Trinket will appear in Sunrise on the Reaping as one of Haymitch’s stylists. Born into a privileged life in the Capitol, Effie starts out as a social climber disappointed that she’s been assigned to oversee tributes from the impoverished District 12. However, after becoming attached to Katniss and Peeta, she comes to realize the cruelty of the Hunger Games. In the upcoming film, Effie will be played by Elle Fanning, who you may recognize from her starring roles as Catherine in The Great, Sylvie Russo in A Complete Unknown, and Aurora in Maleficent and its sequel.
Caesar Flickerman (Kieran Culkin)
Previously played by Stanley Tucci
Another flamboyant Capitol denizen, Caesar Flickerman is the Master of Ceremonies for the Hunger Games. In past films, where he’s played by Stanley Tucci, Caesar interviews tributes and comments on the action as the brutal games play out. Taking over the role from Tucci is Kieran Culkin, who is best known for his Emmy-winning performance as Roman Roy, youngest son of Waystar Royco founder and CEO Logan Roy (Brian Cox), in Succession. Most recently, Culkin won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in A Real Pain.
Plutarch Heavensbee (Jesse Plemons)
Previously played by Philip Seymour Hoffman
One of the most complex characters in the franchise, Plutarch Heavensbee was introduced in Catching Fire as the Head Gamemaker for the 75th Annual Hunger Games, or Third Quarter Quell. However, Plutarch is actually the leader of the rebellion against President Snow’s totalitarian regime, using his position within the Capitol to sabotage the Games. At the time of Sunrise on the Reaping, Plutarch is a young cameraman sympathetic to the tributes. He’ll be played by Jesse Plemons, who is best known for his roles as Landry Clarke on Friday Night Lights. Plemons’ other credits include Todd Alquist in Breaking Bad and El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie and Thomas Bruce White Sr. in Killers of the Flower Moon.
Beetee Latier (Kelvin Harrison Jr.)
Previously played by Jeffrey Wright
Beetee Latier is a past Hunger Games victor from District 3 who was introduced as tribute for the Third Quarter Quell, where he allies himself with Katniss and Peeta. In Sunrise on the Reaping, Beetee is a mentor for his home district, whose tributes include his own son Ampert, a punishment for Beetee’s rebellion. Kelvin Harrison Jr. will play Beetee this time. The actor is known for playing B.B. King in Elvis and starring in Chevalier as French-Caribbean musician Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges. Harrison also voices Taka, young Scar, in Mufasa: The Lion King.
Mags Flanagan (Lili Taylor)
Previously played by Lynn Cohen
Like Beetee, Mags was introduced as a former victor turned Third Quarter Quell tribute. In Catching Fire, she’s seen as an elderly woman who volunteers as tribute to save a younger victor and ends up helping Katniss and Peeta. Sunrise on the Reaping reveals she served as one of Haymitch’s mentors during his Hunger Games. Lili Taylor succeeds the late Lynn Cohen in the role of Mags. Taylor is known for appearing in Mystic Pizza and Six Feet Under. She also earned an Emmy nomination for her leading role in American Crime and will appear in Daredevil: Born Again Season 2.
Wiress (Maya Hawke)
Previously played by Amanda Plummer
Joining Mags as one of Haymitch’s mentors is Wiress, winner of the previous year’s Hunger Games. Wiress goes on to be a tribute in the Third Quarter Quell, where she’s depicted as an eccentric but intelligent woman who is able to figure out the arena’s gimmick. Maya Hawke will play a younger version of the character in Sunrise on the Reaping. Hawke is best known for playing Robin Buckley in Stranger Things, a show she joined in Season 3. She also voices Anxiety in Inside Out 2 and played a member of the Manson Family cult in Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood.
All New Characters
Sunrise on the Reaping will also introduce several new faces, most of whom are Haymitch’s fellow Tributes. They are as follows:
- Lenore Dove Baird (played by Whitney Peak)
- Maysilee Donner (played by Mckenna Grace)
- Wyatt Callow (played by Ben Wang)
- Louella McCoy (played by Molly McCann)
- Lou Lou (played by Iona Bell)
Where To Watch The Cast Of 'Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping' Online
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