Latest news with #HaymitchAbernathy
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
I Did A Deep Dive Into All The Returning Characters From The Hunger Games Movies To Look Out For In Sunrise On The Reaping
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Unless you've been living under a rock, you know Sunrise on the Reaping is quickly becoming one of the most exciting upcoming book adaptations thanks to all the casting reveals across the past month. The movie isn't coming out until 2026, but as we anticipate Haymitch's Hunger Games during the Second Quarter Quell, I figured it might be helpful for the fans to see all the major connections to the original Hunger Games movies to look forward to, since this movie takes place just twenty-four years before Katniss's games. Let's get into it, but some (definitely not all) SPOILERS are ahead. So, if you want to go into the book or movie completely blind, bookmark this for later. Haymitch is the central character of this prequel as the movie follows him at the age of 16, when he is reaped for the Second Quarter Quell from District 12. Early in the Sunrise on the Reaping book, we learn a young Haymitch Abernathy (Joseph Zada has been cast, and looks a lot like Woody Harrelson) has a girlfriend named Lenore Dove, who will be played by Whitney Peak. Lenore Dove hasn't been seen in other Hunger Games movies, but she's got a few connections to some familiar characters. Her cousin is Burdock Everdeen, who is Katniss's dad and is speculated to be a second cousin to Lucy Gray Baird from The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, the female District 12 victor Snow mentored, played by Rachel Zegler. Covey member Tam Amber was also in Ballad and is Lenore's adoptive uncle as well. After Ballad told the story of Coriolanus Snow at eighteen, Sunrise will feature him once again, this time at the age of 58 and played by Harry Potter's Voldemort actor, Ralph Fiennes. He will be the President at this point, and Haymitch brushes shoulders with him on quite a few occasions after he becomes a tribute. When they meet in the book, Snow's past with District 12 and the Covey is hinted at in a way that allows the audience to connect the teen and older versions of the character. There are many more details regarding Snow and Snow's relationship that are delved into, but we'll leave it here to avoid the big spoilers of the story. When we first meet Haymitch in the original Hunger Games movies, he is accompanied by Effie Trinket, who is District 12's escort and advisor from the Capitol. Elle Fanning has been perfectly cast as a younger version after the book features her origins in the game. Effie's sister, Proserpina, is part of the District 12 prep team during Haymitch's games, and she helps out after the original stylist didn't show up when she needed her. I can't wait to see Effie and Haymitch interact for the first time after Harrelson and Elizabeth Banks played the characters so well. Following Stanley Tucci's iconic performances as Hunger Games host, Caesar Flickerman, Kieran Culkin has been cast as a younger Caesar. From previous books, we know that Caesar has been the host for around forty years when Katniss met with him, so Sunrise will see him about midway through his career at a time when he has to interview twice the number of tributes. More than anything, Caesar is usually used for comedic effect, so we're curious how Culkin will approach the role. Philip Seymour Hoffman famously played the role of Plutarch Heavensbee starting in Catching Fire, when he became the Head Gamemaker of the 75th Hunger Games and secretly was a commander of District 13's rebels in the Second Rebellion. As we learn in Sunrise, Plutarch was a cameraman for the Capitol during Haymitch's games, and yes, secretly a rebel. Jesse Plemons is set to play Plutarch this time around, who interacts a lot with Haymitch throughout the storyline. You may remember Jeffrey Wright in Catching Fire as Beetee Latier during the 75th Hunger Games when he is reaped again. The character is coming back for Sunrise with Kelvin Harrison Jr. taking on the role, and oof, this is a rough one. After Beetee, who hails from District 3, is the winner of the 34th Hunger Games, he also serves as the mentor to Wiress, who ends up being the victor of the 49th Hunger Games. But, in the Second Quarter Quell, his involvement is because his son Ampert is reaped, and he's assigned to mentor him as punishment for an attempt he made to sabotage the Capitol's communication systems. Imagine having to watch your own son die in the Hunger Games? I'm not ready. Speaking of Wiress, she is set to be played by Stranger Things' Maya Hawke after Amanda Plummer played her in Catching Fire. Wiress is fresh off of winning the 49th Hunger Games when she is chosen to mentor the District 12 tributes, including Haymitch, of course. Their other mentor is Mags (set to be played by Lili Taylor in Sunrise after Lynn Cohen), the victor of the 11th Hunger Games, who is later reaped during Catching Fire's 75th Hunger Games. Along with both of Katniss Everdeen's parents being mentioned as residents of District 12 in the book during Haymitch's games, in the epilogue of Sunrise, the Haymitch we know from the original movies is visited by Katniss and Peeta after the events of Mockingjay to give him goose eggs. I have to wonder if Woody Harrelson, Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson will briefly reunite to complete Haymitch's story at the end of Sunrise. Now you're pretty much ready for all the returning characters from the Hunger Games when Sunrise on the Reaping comes out. It's coming to theaters on November 20, 2026.
See - Sada Elbalad
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- See - Sada Elbalad
Glenn Close Joins "Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping"
Yara Sameh Glenn Close and Billy Porter have joined the cast of 'Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.' Close will play Drusilla Sickle, the cruel escort to the District 12 Tributes, while Porter will portray Magno Stift, her estranged husband and designer to the Tributes. They join the previously announced ensemble of Joseph Zada as Haymitch Abernathy, Whitney Peak, Mckenna Grace, Jesse Plemons, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Maya Hawke, Lili Taylor, Ben Wang, Ralph Fiennes, Elle Fanning and Kieran Culkin. Based on Suzanne Collins' novel of the same name, 'Sunrise on the Reaping' will revisit the world of Panem nearly a quarter of a century before the events of the original 'Hunger Games' saga. It starts on the morning of the reaping of the 50th Hunger Games, known as the Second Quarter Quell, in which Haymitch Abernathy enters the deadly arena. In 2012's 'Hunger Games,' Haymitch serves as a mentor to Jennifer Lawrence's Katniss Everdeen and Josh Hutcherson's Peeta Mellark. Close, an eight-time Oscar nominee for 'Fatal Attraction,' 'Dangerous Liaisons,' and 'The Big Chill,' will appear next in Rian Johnson's next 'Knives Out' sequel,' Wake Up Dead Man.' 'Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping' will open in theaters on November 20, 2026. read more New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6 Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival Arts & Culture Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos Arts & Culture "The Flash" to End with Season 9 Arts & Culture Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival Arts & Culture Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean News 3 Killed in Shooting Attack in Thailand
AsiaOne
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- AsiaOne
Glenn Close and Billy Porter cast in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, Entertainment News
Glenn Close and Billy Porter have been cast in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. The Fatal Attraction actress has signed up to play Drusilla Sickle, the cruel escort to the tributes of District 12, while Billy will play her estranged husband Magno Stift, who serves as the contestants' uninspired designer. News of their casting was confirmed during Lionsgate's presentation at CineEurope. It follows the recent news that Succession actor Kieran Culkin will appear in the film as Caesar Flickerman — the character first played by Stanley Tucci in the original Hunger Games films. Joseph Zada will lead the flick as Haymitch Abernathy — previously portrayed by Woody Harrelson — with Whitney Peak set to portray his girlfriend, Lenore Dove Baird. Meanwhile, Maya Hawke will play Wiress — the former Hunger Games champion who now serves as a mentor for those in District 12 — while Mckenna Grace has been cast as District 12 Tribute Maysilee Donner. Jesse Plemons, Kelvin Harrison Jr and Karate Kid: Legends star Ben Wang have also joined The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, and will portray Plutarch Heavensbee, Beetee and District 12 Tribute Wyatt Callow, respectively. Rounding out the cast is Ralph Fiennes, who has signed on to play President Coriolanus Snow — the role previously held by the late Donald Sutherland in the original Hunger Games movies and Tom Blyth in the 2023 prequel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. In a statement, producer Nina Jacobson said: "We wanted to honour Donald Sutherland by having one of this generation's greatest actors play President Snow 24 years before Katniss Everdeen entered the arena. "Working with Ralph has been on my bucket list since he traumatised me for life in Schindler's List. It's genuinely a thrill to welcome him to the Hunger Games." The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is set to be directed by Francis Lawrence, who will be working from a script written by Billy Ray. The blockbuster is being produced by Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson of Color Force, with Cameron MacConomy serving as executive producer. The flick is scheduled to hit cinemas in November 2026. The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping will be an adaptation of Suzanne Collins' 2025 novel of the same name, and is the second instalment of the author's Hunger Games prequel trilogy. Set 24 years before The Hunger Games, Sunrise on the Reaping follows 16-year-old Haymitch Abernathy as he's thrust into the brutal 50th Hunger Games, where twice the tributes mean twice the bloodshed. As he fights to survive, Haymitch begins to uncover the Capitol's darkest secrets — and the true price of rebellion. [[nid:719140]]
Express Tribune
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Everdeen, everlasting
My first and only vacation abroad with my parents was special, and I was determined to round off the memorable trip by getting matching souvenirs for my friends back home. Little Me knew it had to be something related to the books the five of us had read, given that this was a time when Young Adult (YA) fiction was all anyone talked about. Only problem was, I wasn't big on Harry Potter like the rest of them. That's how I ended up purchasing four Deathly Hallows necklaces and a single Mockingjay one. Because, hey, we've all got to live up to the main-character dream at some point in our lives (no offence to the school buddies reading this; the gifts were still just as heartfelt). The Mockingjay pendant proved to be a worthwhile investment because next year, over a decade later, it accompanies me to the theatre for The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. Expectations for the Haymitch Abernathy prequel have risen to an all-time high, and one can credit the cast announcements for that. It's not everyday that you see the cast for a film adaptation meet the fans' standards. But between book-accurate features and striking resemblances, Sunrise on the Reaping continues to impress. It's as if we can watch the film unfold while it's still in production. I mean, Kieran Culkin taking over Stanley Tucci's legacy? Name a better pick. Of course, there are always exceptions, but this isn't the first time The Hunger Games franchise has hit the mark with its cast. The previous batch belonged to the President Snow prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, which stunned audiences by bringing Tom Blyth onboard as Donald Sutherland's young counterpart among other top-tier casting choices. And while the crews for each feature deserve every bit of the praise they rack up, it's hard to imagine a world where The Hunger Games films would be able generate this much fanfare without the enduring glory of the books. Dystopian yardstick The original Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins became a worldwide sensation during the 2010s, leading the way for YA dystopian novels that tailed the genre's success. The most prominent example that comes to mind is Divergent and its subsequent novels, which set up a world divided into five factions - like the 12 districts from The Hunger Games. In similar fashion as the latter, Divergent, too, has a young female protagonist, Tris, who finds herself in the centre of a budding revolution. The amount of similarities might have you squinting to find the differences between the universes, and that's true not just for Divergent but for the many novel series published after The Hunger Games. This is not an attempt to incite plagiarism debates, but to understand Collins' cultural impact and the formula it inspired. A teenage huntress entangled in an uprising much larger than her unsophisticated existence (and possibly, simultaneously a love triangle) because she is the chosen one destined to lead the people. How many stories come to mind? Except, the thing about Katniss Everdeen is that she's neither the ideal pick for the 'chosen one' archetype, nor is she qualified to lead anyone. Katniss is not a warrior but an underprivileged girl who is forced to match pace with her circumstances. She earns no medals because nobody wins in a war. Because even if you make it out of the arena alive, the Games never truly leave you. What Katniss represents Katniss is not, as the kids say, a girlboss. That's what drew Little Me and like-minded readers to her more than traditional heroes. She never sets out to be one. She doesn't aspire for greatness. She just wants to be left alone, safe and sound. But grief propels her actions, leading her to spark a blood-soaked revolution. She is a symbol by condition, not by choice. In a meta extension, the Girl on Fire also unintentionally shaped what readers now seek in female protagonists, just as in the books she's reluctantly coaxed into becoming the Mockingjay despite being just a kid reacting to life-or-death stakes. Even after all these years, as critics pick apart other franchises for relying on ambience over coherent plots, Katniss's flame still burns. Thanks to the position she's assigned in the story, she becomes a gateway for a deeper exploration of characters she inspired, even those she came in conflict with, allowing the author to effectively revisit the gruesome world of death trials. Coriolanus Snow's side of the story would not have seen the light of day, a decade after Mockingjay, were it not for the impact his nemesis had on the world. Here, too, Katniss went unknowingly meta by sparking a revolution of sorts, one motivated entirely by grief and no larger purpose. The impact of many other protagonists, who tried to emulate Katniss' charm, didn't land because this archer didn't set out to be charming. Or a standout. Because the real world is home to many Katniss Everdeens. Real-world implications Maturing with The Hunger Games is effective in making one realise that the dystopia we read about isn't situated too far into the future - that is, if it's not already here. In a world infused with humanitarian issues, growing up upset at endless conflict is still a privileged position to be in compared to what someone else your age might be going through. The world raises Katniss Everdeens, individuals who are morally compelled to take a stand if they desire safety, but it also has Coriolanus Snows, opportunists who have seen hardship only to chain it down with an unrelenting power-grab. The world also births Haymitch Abernathys, who pay a lifelong price for stepping out of line in hopes of putting an end to prejudice. While at the same time, it nurtures politically distant yet somehow well-meaning souls like Effie Trinket, who rectify their ways the older they get. That's why The Hunger Games has secured a mural in literary history. Because it's not merely a cautionary tale, but a community-focused narrative; not a story of one, but a story of many — prisoners of war, martyrs, dead-weight expendables, and people who are tragically buried in statistics. It is a story of people who fight the good fight versus people who don't. People who exploit their odds to reign on top versus people who don't. It's a cycle of heroes, villains, and everyone caught in between. It's a tale of unceasing collateral damage. And just as the arena of the Games doesn't let you escape once you're inside, The Hunger Games has seeped into every crevice of culture and conflict to the point that it has become difficult to ignore. And it will stay relevant as long as the flames of resistance burn, as long as the odds are ever in favour of change.
Grazia USA
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Grazia USA
Elle Fanning, Maya Hawke, Kieran Culkin, and More Join 'The Hunger Games' Prequel Cast
Actor Jennifer Lawrence on the set of the film 'The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part II', Berlin, Germany, 2013. {Photo by} Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping dropped in March of this year, revisiting the dystopian world of the beloved original series. The book follows the fan-favourite Haymitch Abernathy (portrayed by Woody Harrelson in the original film trilogy) as he competes in the 50th Hunger Games—24 years before he mentors Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark in their games. This is also the second quarter quell, where double the usual number of tributes compete. The film adaptation is set to hit theatres in November of 2026, with the announcement coming as no surprise following the success of the previous films. As expected, fans have been eagerly awaiting casting and were rewarded with the first announcement on the 23rd of April this year, with the two leading roles announced. Following this, Lionsgate has been revealing the rest of the cast over the last month. Read on for all we know. Joseph Zada as Haymitch Abernathy Joseph Zada / Image: @primevideo Joseph Zada will be playing Haymitch Abernathy—a tribute from District 12 who competes in the 50th annual Hunger Games. In terms of securing the iconic role, according to the casting directors, '[Zada] prepared like crazy and stole our hearts.' Woody Harrelson on the set of the film, 'The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part I', Atlanta, USA, 2013. {Photo by} The 20-year-old Australian actor has previously starred in the Stan original series Invisible Boys , as well as the upcoming We Were Liars , and East of Eden series. With the latter two also being book adaptations— We Were Liars, a young-adult bestseller, and East of Eden, a John Steinbeck classic that he will star in alongside Florence Pugh and Mike Faist. Whitney Peak as Lenore Dove Baird Whitney Peak attends the Opening Season Ballet Gala At Palais Garnier, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julien M. Hekimian/Getty Images) Whitney Peak will portray Lenore Dove Baird—Haymitch's girlfriend and a fellow District 12 resident. Producer Nina Jacobson told Variety that casting Peak was 'one of those magical casting moments when you know your search has led you home.' Peak is best known for her role as Zoya Lott in the 2021 Gossip Girl reboot, but has also starred in Hocus Pocus 2 and the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina series. The actress was also appointed a Chanel brand ambassador in 2021 and became the first Black woman to be the face of the Coco Mademoiselle fragrance in 2023. Ralph Fiennes as President Snow Ralph Fiennes attends the 2025 National Board of Review Gala, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by) Ralph Fiennes will be portraying the abhorred dictator of Panem, President Snow. Tom Blyth took on the role for Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes , while the late Donald Sutherland was the first to portray Snow in the original series. Donald Sutherland on the set of the film, 'The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part I', Paris, France, 2013. {Photo by} The Oscar-nominated actor is best known for works such as Schindler's List , The English Patient , and recently Conclave. As well as Maid in Manhattan, The Menu, and of course, for playing another iconic villain, Voldemort, in the Harry Potter franchise. Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket Elle Fanning attends the 2025 Golden Globe Awards, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Taylor Hill/FilmMagic) Elle Fanning will be taking on the role of Effie Trinket, who helps her sister with styling duties for the District 12 tributes. Originally played by Elizabeth Banks, the character becomes a stylist in her own right by the time we see her as an adult in The Hunger Games. Elizabeth Banks (L) and Jennifer Lawrence (R) on the set of the film 'The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part I', Paris, France, 2013. {Photo by} Most recently, Fanning has starred in the period dramedy series The Great, as well as the Oscar-nominated film A Complete Unknown alongside Timothée Chalamet. Previously, she has also appeared in Maleficent , The Curious Case of Benjamin Button , and Super 8 . Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman Kieran Culkin at the 31st Screen Actors Guild Awards, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty Images) Kieran Culkin will portray the eccentric TV host Caesar Flickerman, a role previously taken on by Stanley Tucci. 'Stanley Tucci made Caesar unforgettable—and now Kieran will make the role entirely his own,' is what Lionsgate co-president Erin Westerman had to say on the casting. The actor is best known for his Emmy Award-winning role as Roman Roy in the TV series Succession . More recently, he also won an Academy Award for his work in A Real Pain . Other appearances have included those in Home Alone , Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, and She's All That . Mckenna Grace as Maysilee Donner Mckenna Grace attends the 'Cazafantasmas: El Imperio Helado' photocall at Mandarín Oriental Ritz Hotel on March 18, 2024 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by) Mckenna Grace will play Maysilee Donner, who is one of the two female tributes from District 12. The actress is no newcomer, having entered the acting profession at a young age, and has starred in countless roles in titles such as, I, Tonya , Captain Marvel , Ghostbusters: Afterlife, The Vampire Diaries , Once Upon a Time , The Haunting of Hill House , The Handmaid's Tale , and many more. Her upcoming projects include Scream 7 and Freddy's 2 . Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee Jesse Plemons attends the Los Angeles premiere of A24's 'Civil War', 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Aliah Anderson/FilmMagic ) Jesse Plemons will play a young Plutarch Heavensbee. Previously portrayed by Phillip Seymour Hoffman, the character eventually becomes a gamemaker; however, in this earlier setting, he is a cameraperson who becomes involved in Haymitch's life. Plemons' breakout role was in Friday Night Lights , and ever since, he has starred in films such as The Irishman, Judas and the Black Messiah, Killers of the Flower Moon, and The Power of the Dog. He has also starred in some incredible shows, including Breaking Bad and Fargo . Off-screen, the actor is married to Kristen Dunst, with whom he shares two children. Maya Hawke as Wiress Maya Hawke attends the 2023 Time100 Next at Second on October 24, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Taylor Hill/FilmMagic) Maya Hawke will be portraying the winner of the 49th Hunger Games—Wiress—who returns to mentor the tributes for the 50th. She was portrayed by Amanda Plummer in the original trilogy. Hawke is most known for her breakout Stranger Things role, and has since starred in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Do Revenge, and as the voice of Anxiety in Inside Out 2 . Outside of her acting, Hawke is known for being the daughter of stars Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke. Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Beetee Kelvin Harrison Jr. at the 15th Annual AAFCA Awards, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Tommaso Boddi/Variety via Getty Images) Kelvin Harrison Jr. plays the familiar Beetee—winner of the 34th Hunger Games—whose son is competing in the 50th. The role was portrayed by Jeffrey Wright in both Catching Fire and Mockingjay . The actor is best known for his roles in The Trial of the Chicago 7 , Godfather of Harlem, Elvis, and most recently for voicing Taka in Mufasa: The Lion King. Lili Taylor as Mags Flanagan Lili Taylor attends the AITAF 10th Anniversary Celebration, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by) Lili Taylor will be playing District 4's Mags Flanagan—winner of the 11th Hunger Games and mentor in the 50th. Lynn Cohen previously portrayed the role in Catching Fire . Taylor is known for 80s film classics such as Mystic Pizza , as well as later roles in Rudy, High Fidelity , and The Conjuring. She has also starred in multiple series such as Marvel's Daredevil: Born Again and Outer Range . Taylor has also ventured into the world of writing, with her book Turning to Birds: The Power and Beauty of Noticing. topics: The Hunger Games, sunrise on the reaping, joseph zada, whitney peak, Ralph Fiennes, Kieran Culkin, Elle Fanning, mckenna grace, jesse plemons, Maya Hawke, kalvin harrison jr, lili taylor, Woody Harrelson, catching fire, mockingjay, celebrity, celebrity news, Film News, film, movies, Film + TV
