The exact same day Dawn on the Reaping, Suzanne Collins’ fifth Starvation Video games e book, was introduced, so was a film adaptation. Lionsgate had beforehand jumped on asserting the film model of Collins’ different Starvation Video games prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, however the sheer pace on this announcement was even faster. The film is ready to return out November 2026, and with the e book out simply this previous March, the turnaround is tight.
By the tip of April — somewhat over a month after Dawn on the Reaping hit cabinets — we now have a complete slate of confirmed forged members. And true to the Starvation Video games method, it’s a mixture of comparatively unknown younger actors with promise, youngster stars with a shot at one thing new, and some established grownup actors who don’t detract from the lead roles, however as a substitute use their current personas to deliver their characters to life. This particular equation hasn’t steered the Starvation Video games films improper but.
Breaking down the youthful casts
Picture: Lionsgate
Joseph Zada is ready to play the youthful model of Haymitch Abernathy, performed by Woody Harrelson within the unique films. We don’t truly know if Harrelson goes to return for this film, although he returned to voice the teaser. Zada presently stars in Stan’s Invisible Boys — and doesn’t actually have a Wikipedia web page. In the meantime, Haymitch’s tragically doomed girlfriend Lenore Dove can be performed by Whitney Peak, who appeared within the Gossip Woman reboot, the Hocus Pocus sequel, and some episodes of The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.
Suffice it to say: That is going to be a profession launching pad for each of them. And this extends to different youthful castmates, even once they’re extra “established.” The function of Maysilee Donner, one of many tributes who accompanies Haymitch into the sector, can be performed by Mckenna Grace. She has a reasonably sturdy filmography, however lots of her roles are youthful variations of characters (by the way, she appeared in The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina as youthful Kiernan Shipka). Grace starred within the new-new Ghostbusters films, however this’ll mark a brand new step in her profession, too.
It’s fairly on par with the three younger leads of the unique Starvation Video games films. Jennifer Lawrence was forged recent off her Oscar nomination for Winter’s Bone and whereas she was filming for X-Males: First Class, however nonetheless had comparatively few credit underneath her belt. Liam Hemsworth had achieved that one Nicholas Sparks film. And although Josh Hutcherson broke all our hearts in Bridge to Terabithia, very like Grace, he’d positively been within the “youngster actor” boat for many of his profession. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes stars Tom Blyth and Rachel Zegler have been in comparable boats: Zegler had caught director Francis Lawrence’s eye after starring in Steven Spielberg’s West Facet Story, however was nonetheless comparatively new to the massive display screen, whereas Blyth had solely been in a handful of small movies and minor TV roles.
All the younger actors within the earlier Starvation Video games films have been a little bit of a chance ultimately, however they have been phenomenal of their roles. Even the extra minor forged was completely chosen, with some happening to have large careers, like Jack Quaid and Amandla Stenberg. A lot of Starvation Video games casting felt prefer it legitimately minted youthful stars by giving them prominence and an opportunity to showcase their expertise, even within the extra minor roles.
Picture: Lionsgate
However what actually clinches the particular Starvation Video games casting method is how completely the older, extra established actors slot in. Motion pictures and exhibits specializing in youthful characters typically danger casting grownup roles with well-known actors only for the title. That is very true when the actors themselves (1) are so well-known that even the goal youthful viewers is aware of who they’re off display screen and (2) don’t actually truly match the characters they’re forged as. Take into account how overpowering Lin-Manuel Miranda’s presence in His Darkish Supplies and Percy Jackson was. Man’s not even a cowboy!
The unique Starvation Video games films prevented this by casting actors whose established outward personas made sense for his or her characters. Harrelson won’t be a book-accurate Haymitch by appears, however he’s bought a knack for taking part in snarky and self-deprecating characters. Lenny Kravitz as a cool, fashion-forward stylist? Stanley Tucci as a bubbly, gregarious sport present host? Elizabeth Banks being a hyperactive and fussy chaperone? Yeah, that every one is smart. Donald Sutherland enjoying a dour-faced, chilly dictator whose goodwill is constructed on crafty, misleading allure additionally does. And in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, it’s completely not exhausting to see Viola Davis as a calculating and crafty scientist, or Peter Dinklage as a brooding, jaded alcoholic who regrets his actions. They’re all actors with lengthy, established careers, however notably not with an enormous contrasting model that might take away from the youthful actors. Their casting twists and makes use of their star personas with out making them the point of interest.
To date, Dawn on the Reaping solely has certainly one of these roles forged — and that’s Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee, the longtime secret insurgent. Within the unique films, he was performed by Philip Seymour Hoffman. Plemons suits the invoice the identical manner Hoffman did: an actor who may most positively play the a part of covert insurgent by night time, charming Capitol residents by day. It’s indicative that the casting administrators on Dawn on the Reaping are holding true to the unstated ethos that’s guided the Starvation Video games films to huge success. And I’m sure that the remainder of the casting information will solely proceed this sample — the chances are already in our favor.
Dawn on the Reaping hits theaters Nov. 20, 2026.
