Mckenna Grace Set To Star in THE HUNGER GAMES: SUNRISE ON THE REAPING
Joseph Zada (left), Whitney Peak, and McKenna Grace; Photos by Hugh Stewart, Kate Whyte, Gus Black
Lionsgate‘s anticipated adaptation of the Hunger Games prequel The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping has found its first three leads, with Mckenna Grace (Gifted, Ghostbusters: Afterlife) in the role of Maysilee Donner, Haymitch Abernathy’s fellow District 12 Tribute; Joseph Zada (Invisible Boys) in the role of Haymitch Abernathy, Tribute from District 12; and Whitney Peak (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Gossip Girl) is set to play Haymitch’s girlfriend, Lenore Dove Baird.
Haymitch is the character played earlier in the Hunger Games franchise by Woody Harrelson. The rumor mill around casting for the project has gone into overdrive in recent weeks, with Zada and Peak’s roles being two of the most sought after among young actors in recent memory.
“The Hunger Games franchise has long been a launching pad for remarkable young actors, and Jo and Whitney carry that legacy forward with incredible heart, depth, and fire,” Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Co-President Erin Westerman said. “After auditioning hundreds of gifted performers from around the world, these two stood out — not just for their talent, but for the emotional truth they brought to these iconic roles. Haymitch has always been a fan favorite, and his origin story is one of the most anticipated in the franchise. His relationship with Lenore Dove is deeply woven into the emotional history of Panem. We can’t wait for fans to experience the story that shaped one of the most compelling characters in the series.”
Based on the bestselling dystopian YA novel by Suzanne Collins, published March 18, Sunrise on the Reaping revisits the world of Panem 24 years before the events of The Hunger Games, starting on the morning of the reaping of the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell. The story centers on 16-year-old Haymitch, a clever and resourceful boy from District 12, who’s unexpectedly chosen for this edition of the games, which will feature a deadly twist: twice the number of tributes, with 48 children sent into the arena to battle for their lives.
Francis Lawrence will direct the movie from a script by Billy Ray, based on the bestselling novel by Suzanne Collins. Color Force’s Jacobson and Brad Simpson will produce, with Cameron MacConomy exec producing. Meredith Wieck and Scott O’Brien are overseeing the project for Lionsgate, for whom Robert Melnik negotiated the deals. Slated for release on November 20, 2026, the new film comes on the heels of five installments in the franchise that have grossed more than $3.3 billion worldwide.
via: Deadline