The cast of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is rapidly taking shape, with the recent announcement from Deadline that Lili Taylor will join the ensemble as Mags. Taylor’s character, a former victor who famously stepped forward to volunteer for the 75th Hunger Games in Catching Fire, will guide the tributes from District 12, including a young Haymitch Abernathy.
This upcoming film promises a rich tapestry of talent. Joseph Zada, celebrated for his performance in Invisible Boys, has been cast as Haymitch. Whitney Peak, known for Hocus Pocus 2, will portray Lenore Dove Baird, while Mckenna Grace will take on the role of Maysilee Donner. In addition, Jesse Plemons is set to play Plutarch Heavensbee, with Kelvin Harrison Jr. portraying Beetee, and Maya Hawke stepping into the shoes of Wiress.
The legacy of Lynn Cohen, who played Mags in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire before her passing in 2020, will be honored by Taylor, adding a poignant layer to the film’s narrative.
Directing this installment is Francis Lawrence, who has been instrumental in shaping the franchise’s vision since its inception, excluding the first film. He will direct Sunrise on the Reaping from a screenplay by Billy Ray, adapted from Suzanne Collins’ compelling source material. The story is set 24 years before the original The Hunger Games and unfolds during the day of the 50th Hunger Games reaping. An unexpected twist arises when 16-year-old Haymitch is selected, leading to heightened tension due to the increased number of tributes involved in this Quarter Quell.
This film serves as the second prequel in the series, following The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, which explored the backstory of a young Coriolanus Snow. Fans can mark their calendars for the theatrical release of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping on November 20, 2026.
In addition to her upcoming role in Sunrise on the Reaping, Lili Taylor is set to appear in the second season of Daredevil: Born Again, where she will reportedly play “a political opponent of Vincent D’Onofrio’s Wilson Fisk.” Filming is currently underway in New York, with a premiere anticipated in March 2026. Moreover, she will feature in Fear Street: Prom Queen, which is set to debut on Netflix on May 23rd.
