Joseph Zada’s casting as young Haymitch Abernathy in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping isn’t just a win for the actor—it’s a strategic strike of emotional resonance and fandom insight from Lionsgate. The relative newcomer, who bears a striking resemblance to Woody Harrelson, steps into one of the most complex roles in the dystopian world of Panem, and does so with a quiet confidence that promises to redefine the legacy of a character once thought untouchable.
Joseph Zada’s casting unlocks a new chapter for a fan-favorite character
After years of speculation and wishful casting, the hunger for a believable, compelling young Haymitch has finally been satiated. Joseph Zada, an emerging talent with few marquee credits under his belt but plenty of momentum, has been handpicked from a global pool of auditionees to carry the torch for Haymitch Abernathy’s origin story. And Lionsgate isn’t just relying on his look—they’re betting on his emotional range.
“Jo… stole our hearts,” said Nina Jacobson, producer of the film and a veteran of the entire Hunger Games franchise. Her words echo the sentiment across the fanbase and industry alike: Zada isn’t merely filling the role, he’s elevating it. His performance is already being described as having the “emotional truth” required to bring a younger, more hopeful (yet still gritty) Haymitch into the spotlight.
Not just a resemblance—Zada captures the essence of Haymitch’s journey
One of the toughest casting challenges in Sunrise on the Reaping was finding an actor who could embody the same mischief, weariness, and cunning that Woody Harrelson brought to the original trilogy. As Suzanne Collins herself acknowledged, “Nobody can be Woody Harrelson but Woody Harrelson.” But what the creative team needed was someone who could understand Haymitch’s evolution — from a clever teenager in the arena to the world-weary mentor we know from Katniss’s era.
Joseph Zada not only resembles Harrelson in demeanor and presence, but he also seems to instinctively grasp that emotional arc. Early scripts describe Haymitch as “resourceful” and “clever,” but with a looming shadow of trauma waiting to shape his future self. Zada’s casting feels like a conscious choice to explore that transformation with nuance, rather than simply replicate it.
Breaking the mold with roles in iconic adaptations like “We Were Liars” and “East of Eden”
Though Zada may be new to many viewers, his trajectory suggests he’s quickly becoming the type of actor who thrives in emotionally layered, character-driven stories. This June, he’ll appear in Prime Video’s We Were Liars, another literary adaptation steeped in psychological tension and youth culture. He’s also recently wrapped filming East of Eden for Netflix, a Steinbeck-inspired limited series featuring a heavyweight cast including Florence Pugh and Mike Faist.
These roles, combined with his lead turn in the Australian series Invisible Boys, paint a picture of an actor who’s not only versatile but deeply drawn to storytelling that probes the human condition. It’s the kind of background that makes his leap into the Hunger Games universe feel not only appropriate but inevitable.
Haymitch’s origin story gains emotional depth through Zada’s chemistry with Whitney Peak
Adding fuel to the excitement is Zada’s on-screen pairing with Whitney Peak, who will play Lenore Dove Baird, Haymitch’s girlfriend and a member of the militant group Covey. Peak, fresh off her roles in Gossip Girl and Hocus Pocus 2, brings her own fanbase and acting fire to the mix. Lionsgate executives described their chemistry as “magical,” and casting directors called it a moment when “you know your search has led you home.”
Lenore and Haymitch’s relationship is more than just romantic backstory—it’s a pivotal emotional thread that weaves through the entire history of Panem. Fans of the books know how deeply interwoven her fate is with Haymitch’s descent into cynicism and alcoholism. With Zada and Peak leading the charge, that emotional journey is poised to hit theaters with full force.
“Sunrise on the Reaping” isn’t just a prequel—it’s a rebirth for the franchise
Directed by Francis Lawrence, who returned to the franchise with Catching Fire and every film after, Sunrise on the Reaping is being hailed as a “return to form.” The story takes place during the 50th Hunger Games, the Second Quarter Quell, and promises to deliver the political intrigue, brutal survivalism, and character-driven storytelling that made the original films iconic.
With a script by Billy Ray and production by Color Force, this isn’t just another chapter in the Hunger Games saga — it’s a full-circle moment. And Joseph Zada, with his blend of youthful energy and emotional gravity, is at the center of it.
What Zada’s Haymitch means for fans and the future of Panem
For fans who’ve spent years theorizing about Haymitch’s early games, about who he was before the scars, this is more than casting news. It’s validation. It’s hope. It’s a reminder that the world of Panem still has stories to tell — and that those stories can be just as powerful when they come from new voices.
Joseph Zada may not yet be a household name, but by November 2026, that’s almost certain to change. And when it does, it’ll be because he gave us a Haymitch worth believing in — young, raw, and on the brink of becoming a survivor.