New star gets honest about big role in next 'The Hunger Games'

Joseph Zada is set to play young Haymitch Abernathy in the prequel film The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.

Reflecting on his feelings, he told Deadline, "I've seen scripts. I can't say anything, [...] I've read the book twice already."

"I'm a very, very, very big fan of everything to do with it and the whole cast and everyone involved. I'm so ridiculously nervous," the actor said.

Woody Harrelson previously played Haymitch in the original films. The prequel, meanwhile, is based on events 24 years before the trilogy.

Similarly, Sam Claflin, who played Finnick Odair in the franchise, previously raved about the upcoming movie, telling Variety, “I thought it was a fresh take with a fresh generation. They did a wonderful job. I understand the ‘Sunrise on the Reaping’ book is even better.”

He continued, “I recently sat down in L.A. with Francis, who is the man who cast me. Being able to reminisce with him and hear about the producing side of it, as they are in Berlin preparing for the film, was so exciting."

"I was picking his brain. I’d heard who they had in mind for casting and thought, ‘Oh my god, this is so exciting!’ So I am right there with you and everyone looking forward to it," the actor added.

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping will be out on Nov 20, 2026.