Get Ready, Tributes: "Sunrise on the Reaping" Reveals Fan Casting Winner & More!

The latest "Hunger Games" news has us absolutely buzzing! Lionsgate just pulled off an incredible move, announcing the lucky fan who won an open casting call to join the highly anticipated prequel, "The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping," and we've got all the juicy details for you!

TL;DR - Quick Takes on "Sunrise on the Reaping" News You Need to Know!

• Devon Singletary, a Florida-based actor and filmmaker, won the fan casting contest and will play Blair, a close friend of Haymitch Abernathy and Burdock Everdeen.
• "The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping" is officially slated to hit theaters on November 20, 2026.
• The film boasts a star-studded cast including Joseph Zada as Haymitch, Jesse Plemons as a younger Plutarch Heavensbee, and returning director Francis Lawrence.

A Fan's Dream Comes True: Welcoming Devon Singletary to Panem

Can you believe it? Five months ago, Lionsgate sent shockwaves through the "Hunger Games" fandom by announcing an open casting call. Fans were invited to submit videos of themselves acting out favorite scenes, singing, or even improvising, all for a shot at landing a role in "The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping." Today, we finally know the victor of this epic fan-driven contest!

Meet Devon Singletary, a talented actor and filmmaker from Florida, who beat out countless hopefuls to secure a spot in the upcoming film. His reaction to the life-changing news was captured in a video posted on "The Hunger Games" official Instagram page, and honestly, it’s pure gold. You can practically feel his excitement through the screen!

"I'm blown away. I'm really just speechless. I'm super excited. Being selected into 'The Hunger Games' is a great honor."

— Devon Singletary on joining the cast of "Sunrise on the Reaping"

And what role will this newest tribute play? Singletary is set to portray Blair, a character described as a close friend of none other than Haymitch Abernathy (yes, THAT Haymitch!) and Burdock Everdeen, who fans will recognize as Katniss's father. This connection alone tells us Blair could be a really significant character in the prequel's narrative.

In the reveal video, Singletary was virtually greeted by fellow cast members McKenna Grace, Whitney Peak, and Joseph Zada, who congratulated him and shared his character details. The video even showed him arriving on set, standing in front of his trailer for the first time – talk about a dream come true!

Stepping Back in Time: The Story of the Fiftieth Hunger Games

"The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping" is shaping up to be an absolutely essential chapter in the Panem saga. Based on Suzanne Collins' novel of the same name (which dropped earlier this year, much to our delight!), this film takes us nearly a quarter of a century before Katniss Everdeen ever volunteered for the games.

The story kicks off on the morning of the 50th Hunger Games, also infamously known as the Second Quarter Quell. If you remember your Panem history, Quarter Quells are special, more brutal editions of the Games that happen every 25 years. This one, in particular, saw twice the number of tributes, making the odds even deadlier. This is the Games where a young, defiant Haymitch Abernathy enters the arena, eventually emerging as the unlikely victor.

Getting to see Haymitch's journey in his own Games will be fascinating. We know him as the cynical, often drunken mentor to Katniss and Peeta, but "Sunrise on the Reaping" will peel back those layers and show us the fierce, clever, and traumatized young man who survived one of the most brutal Hunger Games in history. Understanding his past will undoubtedly add incredible depth to his character in the original series.

A Visionary Returns: Francis Lawrence Back in the Director's Chair

Fans will be thrilled to know that the franchise is in very capable hands! Francis Lawrence, the acclaimed director who has helmed every "Hunger Games" installment since 2013's "Catching Fire" (including the recent "The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes"), is returning to direct "Sunrise on the Reaping." His consistent vision and deep understanding of Suzanne Collins' world have been instrumental in bringing Panem to life on the big screen, and we can't wait to see what he does with this pivotal prequel.

Lawrence’s direction has always struck a perfect balance between the action, the political intrigue, and the emotional core of the stories. Knowing he's at the helm provides a huge sense of continuity and trust for the audience, ensuring that the tone and style we've come to expect from "The Hunger Games" will be faithfully carried forward.

Meet the All-Star Ensemble: New Faces and Familiar Capitol Roles

Beyond Devon Singletary's exciting win, "The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping" is boasting an incredibly talented and diverse cast that has us counting down the days until 2026. Lionsgate has truly outdone themselves in assembling an ensemble that promises to bring this dark chapter of Panem's past to vivid life.

Leading the charge as a young Haymitch Abernathy is Joseph Zada, a role that will undoubtedly define a new era for the character. We'll also see familiar faces in younger iterations of iconic roles, adding fascinating layers to the world we thought we knew.

The Talented Cast Bringing Panem's Past to Life on Screen

• Joseph Zada as Haymitch Abernathy (District 12 Tribute)
• Devon Singletary as Blair (Haymitch's Friend from District 12)
• McKenna Grace as Maysilee Donner (District 12 Tribute)
• Ben Wang as Wyatt Callow (Tribute)
• Whitney Peak as Lenore Dove Baird (Haymitch’s Girlfriend)
• Ralph Fiennes as President Coriolanus Snow (Capitol Resident)
• Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee (Capitol Resident)
• Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket (Capitol Resident)
• Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman (Capitol Resident)
• Maya Hawke as Wiress (District 3 Mentor)
• Glenn Close as Drusilla Sickle (Capitol Resident)
• Billy Porter as Magno Stift (Capitol Resident)
• Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Beetee Latier (District 3 Mentor)
• Lili Taylor as Mags Flanagan (District 4 Mentor)
• Iris Apatow as Proserpina Trinket (Capitol Resident)
• Edvin Ryding as Vitus (Capitol Resident)
• Scot Greenan as Burdock Everdeen (Katniss's Father, Haymitch's Friend)
• Kara Tointon as Willamae Abernathy (Haymitch's Mother)
• Smylie Bradwell as Sid Abernathy (Haymitch's Brother)
• Other Tributes include: Molly McCann (Louella McCoy), Iona Bell (Lou Lou), Jhaleil Swaby (Panache Barker), Laura Marcus (Silka Sharp), Percy Daggs IV (Ampert Latier), Rada Rae (Wellie), Sky Frances (Maritte), Tatyana Muzondo (Ringina), Alina Reid (Kerna), Salimou Thiam (Clayton), John Doeble (Buck), Karine Buffange (Hull).
• Additional District 12 Residents: Jeffrey Hallman (Clerk Carmine), Serafin Mishiev (Woodbine Chance), Grace Ackary (Asterid March), Melody Chikakane Brown (Hattie Meeney), Jefferson White (Mr. McCoy).
• Additional Capitol Residents: Sandra Förster (Hersilia), Jax Guerrero (Tibby).

Jesse Plemons' Thoughtful Approach to Playing Plutarch Heavensbee

One of the most intriguing casting announcements is Jesse Plemons taking on the role of Plutarch Heavensbee. Fans will remember the character from the original films, played so brilliantly by the late, great Philip Seymour Hoffman. Plemons recently opened up about the immense respect he has for Hoffman, with whom he actually worked on "The Master."

Plemons admitted that the connection to Hoffman initially made him hesitant to accept the part, saying, "it was actually one of the things that made me question if I wanted to do it." However, despite this initial reservation, Plemons was ultimately drawn to the overall project: the compelling script, Francis Lawrence's clear directorial vision, and the opportunity to work alongside such an incredible ensemble cast. He ultimately decided, "I like the part, and I like the script, and I like the director and the cast. So, yeah, here we go."

It's clear Plemons is approaching the role with a deep appreciation for Hoffman's legacy, while also bringing his own fresh perspective to a younger version of the character. Plutarch, as we know, becomes a crucial figure in the rebellion, so seeing his origins and earlier involvement in the Capitol's machinations will be a truly captivating aspect of this prequel.

November 20, 2026: Mark Your Calendars for a Return to Panem

So, when can you finally feast your eyes on this highly anticipated film? "The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping" is scheduled to arrive in theaters on November 20, 2026. Yes, it feels like a long wait, but with production now in full swing, we can expect more exciting updates and perhaps even a sneak peek or trailer down the line!

This film serves as a direct sequel to 2023's "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes" and, of course, a pivotal prequel to the original "Hunger Games" film series that started in 2012. It's fantastic to see the franchise expanding its universe, giving us deeper insights into the complex history of Panem and the characters we thought we knew so well.

The anticipation is building, and the fan community is already buzzing with theories and excitement. With a winning fan cast, a returning visionary director, and a stellar ensemble, "Sunrise on the Reaping" is set to be another unforgettable journey back into the world of "The Hunger Games." We can't wait to see it!

Frequently Asked Questions About "The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping" When does "The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping" come out? The movie is scheduled to be released in theaters on November 20, 2026. Is "Sunrise on the Reaping" a prequel or sequel? It is both! It's a prequel to the main "Hunger Games" film series and a sequel to "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes." It specifically focuses on the 50th Hunger Games, which took place 24 years before Katniss Everdeen's first Games. Who is playing Haymitch Abernathy in "Sunrise on the Reaping"? Joseph Zada has been cast as the young Haymitch Abernathy, who competes in the 50th Hunger Games. Who won the fan casting contest for the new "Hunger Games" movie? Florida-based actor and filmmaker Devon Singletary won the open fan casting call. He will portray the character Blair, a close friend of Haymitch Abernathy and Burdock Everdeen. Sources for "The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping" News

• Information gathered from various news outlets reporting on the casting announcements and production updates.