Author Suzanne Collins is all set to uncover more stories of Panem with her newly-announced book The Hunger Games: Sunrise on The Reaping. This book will also be adapted into a Hunger Games prequel movie, which will be released on November 20, 2026. After delving into the story of ruthless Coriolanus Snow in the most recent The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, the new prequel will be centered around yet another renowned character Haymitch Abernathy. He was the mentor of Katniss Everdeen and Peeta in the original installments.
If you’re excited about the new movie, stick around to know more about the movie’s cast predictions.
Will Woody Harrelson return as Haymitch Abernathy in Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping?
Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping will be focused more on the teen version of Haymitch. Thus, Woody Harrelson’s return is unlikely. However, nothing is confirmed yet.
The new installment will follow the story of 16-year-old Haymitch, who was reaped for the 50th Hunger Games, which is also deemed as Second Quarter Quell. He was a District 12 tribute who formed an alliance with Maysilee Donner. Despite all the bloodbaths, he was crowned as the victor of the titular game.
Since Haymitch was 40 years old in the original trilogy, casting a younger actor would be required for the new Hunger Games prequel movie. Usually, filmmakers opt for actors who are either in their early 20s or around 15-18 years old to play a character’s teen version. Considering that, some of the interesting choices for the role could be Nicholas Crovetti (Goodnight Mommy), Christopher Briney (The Summer I Turned Pretty), and Roman Griffin Davis (Jojo Rabbit), among others.
For The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, the casting directors picked Tom Blyth, who was in his late 20s then, to portray an 18-year-old Snow. So, there might also be a possibility that someone around Blyth’s age who may have a youthful and rebellious appearance is cast for the role of Haymitch.
Will Tom Blyth return as Coriolanus Snow in Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping?
Tom Blyth expressed an interest in returning to the franchise earlier this year. However, his return is not yet confirmed as the prequel takes place 40 years after The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Considering this, he might be older than we last saw him in the 2023 movie.
It’s possible to make Blyth appear older with the use of prosthetics and CGI. But, de-aging technology can also bring back Donald Sutherland, who played the older Snow in the original Hunger Games movies, as well. While it’s not yet finalized if Blyth will return or not, Snow’s character can be expected in the prequel considering he contributed a lot to Haymitch’s sorrows, leading him to turn alcoholic.
