"The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping" Adds Maya Hawke as Wiress

Maya Hawke has been cast as Wiress, a former Hunger Games champion-turned-District 12 mentor, in Lionsgate’s “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping,” an adaptation of the bestselling book by Suzanne Collins.

“Sunrise on the Reaping” will revisit the dystopia of Panem nearly a quarter of a century before the events of the original “Hunger Games.” This chapter begins on the morning of the reaping of the 50th Hunger Games, known as the Second Quarter Quell. 

The story focuses on Haymitch Abernathy — known to fans as the mentor (played by Woody Harrelson) to Jennifer Lawrence’s Katniss Everdeen and Josh Hutcherson’s Peeta Mellark in 2012’s “Hunger Games.”

Hawke joins previously announced cast members Joseph Zada as Haymitch Abernathy, Whitney Peak as Lenore Dove Baird, Mckenna Grace as Maysilee Donner, Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee, Lili Taylor as Mags, and Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Beetee.

“Sunrise on the Reaping” is Lionsgate’s second return to the arena after the original four-film saga concluded with 2015’s “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2.” The first was 2023’s “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” starring Rachel Zegler as tribute Lucy Gray Baird and Tom Blyth as young Coriolanus Snow, which took place during the 10th annual death match. The film became a hit with $348 million globally.

Francis Lawrence, who has directed every “Hunger Games” installment since 2012’s “Catching Fire,” is returning for the prequel sequel. It will be released in theaters on Nov. 20, 2026.

Hawke, best known for “Stranger Things” and “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” recently voiced Anxiety in Disney and Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” and released her third studio album, “Chaos Angel.” Up next, she will star in the fifth season of “Stranger Things” and an upcoming Lucia Joyce biopic.