Released last year, The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes wasn’t a gigantic smash hit, but it was big enough to keep Lionsgate in the ‘Hunger Games‘ business. In June we learned that a sequel, Sunrise On the Reaping, was in the works based on Suzanne Collins’ upcoming novel, and set to hit theaters on November 20th 2026. Now the first major piece of new casting may have been revealed, and if true, it could lead to a West Side Story reunion.
According to Production Weekly (via SFFGazette), Mike Faist is in line to play Haymitch Abernathy in Sunrise On the Reaping. The character was previously played by Woody Harrelson and was a mentor to Katniss Everdeen as she competed. But Haymitch was a winner of the Games himself, and the sequel follows his win during the Second Quarter Quell, 24 years prior to events in The Hunger Games.
As we learned in Catching Fire, the Capitol reaped double the tributes for the Second Quarter Quell. Because Haymitch discovered the arena was covered by a forcefield and used it to his advantage, President Snow ordered his family killed.
Francis Lawrence is expected to return and direct his fifth movie in the franchise. No previous stars have been confirmed as of yet, and that includes Songbirds & Snakes stars Rachel Zegler and Tom Blyth. Zegler and Faist starred together in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story remake, with the film being a breakthrough for them both. Faist has been on a hot streak for his roles in Challengers and The Bikeriders.
For now, take this one with a grain of salt under an official announcement is made.
