MOVIE NEWS – Fans are eagerly awaiting the casting announcement for the young Haymitch Abernathy in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. The franchise’s producer has now shed some light on the casting process and what they’re looking for in the actor who will take over the role from Woody Harrelson.

The latest entry in the Hunger Games book series hit shelves on March 18, 2025, and fans are already deep into the prequel, which explores Haymitch Abernathy’s journey to winning the 50th Hunger Games. A film adaptation is well underway, slated for release on November 20, 2026, but the lead role remains uncast.

What Goes Into Casting a Young Haymitch?

Speaking with Variety, producer Nina Jacobson explained why the casting process is taking longer than expected. “Because the early manuscript wasn’t published, we haven’t been able to let actors read for the role out of fear that scenes might leak,” Jacobson revealed. She emphasized that they are not looking for someone to mimic Woody Harrelson’s performance but to embody the character in his younger years. “It’s a phenomenal role. It’s rare for a franchise to give an actor such a strong opportunity to showcase their talent, but this one does.”

Jacobson noted that the ideal candidate will need to capture Haymitch’s youthful wit and charm before he became the hardened, disillusioned mentor audiences first met in The Hunger Games. “We’re not looking for an imitation of Woody Harrelson, but rather someone who can believably portray who Haymitch was before trauma and grief consumed him.”

The Franchise’s History of Star-Making Roles

The Hunger Games films have a track record of launching actors into stardom. “We’ve always been fortunate to attract highly skilled actors because Suzanne Collins’ characters are layered and compelling,” Jacobson stated. Jennifer Lawrence became a household name thanks to her portrayal of Katniss Everdeen, and Rachel Zegler followed a similar path, moving from West Side Story to starring in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.

With less than two years before the film’s release, casting is expected to ramp up significantly. Jacobson acknowledged that playing a younger version of a beloved character is never easy. While James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender successfully took over the roles of Professor X and Magneto in X-Men, Star Wars fans struggled to embrace Alden Ehrenreich as Han Solo. Whoever lands the role of young Haymitch will have big shoes to fill.

Source: MovieWeb