Goodbye, Hawkins. Hello, Panem.
Maya Hawke, of “Stranger Things” fame, is the newest cast member of “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping,” according to Deadline’s exclusive report. It’s based on the recently released novel by author and Indiana University alum Suzanne Collins.
Hawke, the daughter of Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman, played Robin in the Netflix series set in the fictional Hawkins, Indiana. She also voiced Anxiety in “Inside Out 2.”
Here’s what we know about the “Hunger Games” prequel’s cast so far.
Who will play Wiress in ‘The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping’?
Hawke has been tapped to play Wiress, a mentor in the second Quarter Quell of the Hunger Games, according to the Deadline report. The character also appears in the second film, “Catching Fire,” played by Amanda Plummer.
Who will play Haymitch Abernathy in ‘Sunrise on the Reaping’?
Variety reported that Joseph Zada would star as Haymitch, one of the male Hunger Games tributes from District 12, in the new film. Zada is credited in two upcoming streaming series: “We Were Liars” on Prime Video and “East of Eden” on Netflix.
In the original “Hunger Games” films starring Jennifer Lawrence, Woody Harrelson played Haymitch.
Who will play Lenore Dove Baird in the ‘Hunger Games’ prequel?
In the book, Lenore Dove Baird is a member of a group of traveling musicians from District 12 who were introduced in “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.” Actress Whitney Peak will play her in the film, according to Variety.
A character with the same last name, Lucy Gray Baird, was played by Rachel Zegler in the latest film, “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.” She was the first District 12 tribute to win the Hunger Games.
Peak starred in the recent reboot of “Gossip Girl” and in “Hocus Pocus 2.”
Who will play Maysilee Donner in the new movie?
McKenna Grace will play Maysilee Donner, another District 12 tribute, Variety reported.
The actress has a long list of credits across her youth, including “Fuller House,” “The Handmaid’s Tale,” “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” and “Young Sheldon.” She will be in the upcoming adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel, “Regretting You.”
Who will play Plutarch Heavensbee in ‘Sunrise on the Reaping’?
Variety reported that Jesse Plemons will play Plutarch Heavensbee in the prequel. Philip Seymour Hoffman played the character in “Hunger Games: Catching Fire” and the “Mockingjay” films.
Plemons starred in the most recent “Black Mirror” season on Netflix in the episode “USS Callister: Into Infinity.” He’s also known for his roles in “Friday Night Lights,” Fargo,” “Killers of the Flower Moon” and more.
When is ‘Sunrise on the Reaping,’ the new Hunger Games movie, in theaters?
Lionsgate lists the film’s release date as Nov. 20, 2026.
Where does ‘Sunrise on the Reaping’ fall in the ‘Hunger Games’ series?
The prequel falls chronologically between Collins’ last release, “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” and the first “Hunger Games” book. Here’s the order:
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: New cast member announced for ‘Hunger Games’ prequel a familiar face for ‘Stranger Things’ fans
Reporting by Jenny Porter Tilley, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
