For the following Starvation Video games prequel movie, Dawn on the Reaping, the casting for Younger Haymitch and different characters took some time as a result of the Suzanne Collins guide hadn’t come out but. Now that the long-awaited novel is on bookshelves, it has been revealed that the fortunate actor portraying the younger Starvation Video games winner is Joseph Zada, with Hocus Pocus 2’s Whitney Peak portraying Haymitch’s girlfriend, Lenore. Starvation Video games alum Rachel Zegler made positive to provide her response to Peak’s casting, particularly, which is so on-brand for her.
Rachel Zegler could have been identified to the world first in her Golden Globe-winning efficiency in West Aspect Story, however enjoying Lucy Grey Baird in Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes cemented her place in The Starvation Video games collection. Whereas her character’s ambiguous ending leaves the actress out of any upcoming motion pictures (so far as we all know), Zegler continues to be being an on-brand crew participant, sharing on her Instagram tales how completely satisfied she is for Whitney Peak to be forged as Lenore and the connection to her personal character:
For these like me who haven’t learn the guide but, now we all know that Whitney Dove’s character Lenore is one way or the other associated to Lucy Grey Baird. I ponder if which means we’ll be listening to the actress belt out some tunes, because the Bairds are identified for his or her musical potential.
One other factor we find out about Lenora Dove is that she dates 16-year-old Haymitch Abernathy by the point he’s inducted into The Video games. One thing tells me Lenore will play a giant position in Haymitch’s actions in competing in The Quarter Quell and what comes after.
It’s so heartwarming to see Rachel Zegler be such a Starvation Video games superfan over a 12 months after enjoying Lucy Grey. Then once more, she was a fan of the dystopian movie collection effectively earlier than that, seeing the primary film when she was a baby. So I can think about how completely satisfied the American actress will need to have felt to have a giant position in the identical collection as an grownup.
You would inform Zegler felt proud to play a character with similarities to Katniss in utilizing her braveness and power to make the very best of being thrown right into a lethal area for audiences to see. Even on the premiere of the 2023 prequel, the Snow White actress confirmed she was a Starvation Video games buff sporting a surprising Katniss Everdeen-like costume just like the fiery clothes the District 12 contestant wore throughout her interviews with Caesar. I’m positive seeing a recent, upcoming actress like Whitney Peak be a part of The Starvation Video games household should really feel like a full-circle second for Zegler.
Lionsgate Movement Image Group Co-President Erin Westerman informed Deadline that casting choices for the principle characters of Dawn on the Reaping got here from desirous to launch the careers of lesser-known actors.
In any case, Jennifer Lawrence was forged as Katniss, whose earlier performing expertise included the sitcom The Invoice Engvall Present and the indie flick Winter’s Bone. The identical was mentioned with Tom Blyth, whose huge position earlier than being forged as younger Snow in Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes got here from the MGM+ collection Billy the Child.
Now, beginner stars like Joseph Zada and Whitney Peak will quickly keep it up the legacy of The Starvation Video games collection, which is able to result in their breakthrough roles.
After seeing Rachel Zegler giving her props to Whitney Peak for becoming a member of the Baird household, it’s clear that that is the Y2K actress’s means of passing the torch for the following Panem citizen who’ll probably be getting a dose of The Capitol’s management. I’m anxiously excited to see Peak’s efficiency within the extremely anticipated Dawn on the Reaping film hitting theaters on November 20, 2026.