A fresh group of actors have been cast in Lionsgate’s upcoming film “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.” Laura Marcus, Percy Daggs IV, Rada Rae, and Jhaleil Swaby will join an already impressive ensemble that features Glenn Close, Kieran Culkin, Elle Fanning, Ralph Fiennes, McKenna Grace, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Maya Hawke, Whitney Peak, Jesse Plemons, Billy Porter, Lili Taylor, Ben Wang, and Joseph Zada.
Laura Marcus is set to portray Silka, a career tribute hailing from District 1. She will also be seen in 2025’s Netflix film “Death By Lighting” as Mollie Garfield, the daughter of former U.S. president James Garfield. Currently, Marcus is featured in the Hulu/Disney+ series “Andor” as Beela, and has notable credits including her role as Elisabeth in STARZ’s “The Serpent Queen.”
Percy Daggs IV will play Beetee’s son, another tribute from District 3. He recently starred alongside Halle Berry in “Never Let Go” and is a series regular on Hulu’s “Paradise,” in addition to appearing in AppleTV+’s “The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey.”
Rada Rae takes on the role of Wellie, a tribute from District 6, bringing her experience from the Netflix film “Exterritorials” and her roles in “House of David” and “Nine Perfect Strangers.”
Jhaleil Swaby will play Panache, another career tribute from District 1. He has appeared in series such as Amazon Prime Video’s “The Lake,” CW’s “Supergirl,” and “The Next Step.”
The film, adapted from Suzanne Collins’ bestselling novel, is in pre-production for release on November 20, 2026. Directed by Francis Lawrence from a screenplay by Billy Ray, “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping” is set twenty-four years before the original Games, beginning with the reaping of the Fiftieth Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.
This franchise has proven to be a significant box office success, amassing over $3.3 billion from five films. The book alone saw remarkable sales, moving 1.5 million copies in its first week across multiple countries, highlighting the enduring popularity of the “Hunger Games” universe.
With this casting news, fans are buzzing with excitement for the return to the dramatic and dystopian world of Panem, promising an engaging exploration of its rich narrative.
The project is overseen by Lionsgate’s Meredith Wieck and Scott O’Brien, with Robert Melnik handling deal-making for the studio. This continuation of the franchise shows the potential for new stories to resonate with audiences, keeping the spirit of “The Hunger Games” alive and relevant.