EXCLUSIVE: Jhaleil Swaby (The Lake) has been cast in Lionsgate’s The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping as Panache, a crude and aggressive career tribute from District 1, known for his arrogance and ruthlessness, sources confirm to Deadline. The film is set to premiere on November 20, 2026.
Based on the bestselling novel by Suzanne Collins, the latest installment of the Hunger Games dystopian YA franchise revisits the world of Panem 24 years before the events of The Hunger Games, starting on the morning of the reaping of the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell. The story centers on 16-year-old Haymitch (Joseph Zada), a clever and resourceful boy from District 12, who’s unexpectedly chosen for this edition of the games, featuring a deadly twist: twice the number of tributes, with 48 children sent into the arena to battle for their lives.
In addition to Zada, the previously announced cast includes Whitney Peak as Lenore Dove Baird, Mckenna Grace as Maysilee Donner, Billy Porter as Magno Stift, Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee, Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Beetee, Lili Taylor as Mags, Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket, Ralph Fiennes as President Snow, Glenn Close as Drusilla Sickle, Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman, Ben Wang as Wyatt Callow, Maya Hawke as Wiress, Molly McCann as Louella McCoy and Iona Bell as Lou Lou.
Francis Lawrence (Hunger Games Franchise films, Catching Fire, Mockingjay Part 1 & 2, and The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes) will direct from a script by Billy Ray (The Hunger Games, Terminator: Dark Fate). Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson are producing for Color Force, with Cameron MacConomy executive producing. Meredith Wieck and Scott O’Brien oversee the project for Lionsgate.
Swaby is represented by Vault Entertainment and Hansen, Jacobson.
