- Harrison Jr will play Beetee in Sunrise On The Reaping
- The film is an adaptation of the recently-published prequel book
- It focuses on Haymitch Abernathy’s triumph in the 50th Hunger Games
Kelvin Harrison Jr is the latest name to join the cast of the film version of Sunrise On The Reaping as Beetee Latier.
The actor’s previous roles include Elvis, Waves, and It Comes at Night, as well as the Hulu post-apocalyptic musical O’Dessa.
Beetee won the 34th Hunger Games for District 3 and his son Ampert Latier competes against Haymitch Abernathy in the 50th edition of the annual bloodbath. Readers familiar with the original trilogy will remember him from the second book Catching Fire, where he competes in the 75th Hunger Games against Katniss and Peeta.
Read more: All we know about the new Hunger Games prequel
Earning the nickname of Volts, Beetee is an electronics expert, in keeping with District 3’s large technology industry. As punishment for attempting to sabotage the Capitol’s communications system, his son is reaped for the Hunger Games. Beetee then has to mentor his son, knowing the risk to his life is hugely high.
Who else is in the cast?
Joseph Zada and Whitney Peak lead the cast as Haymitch Abernathy and Lenore Dove Baird respectively. Mckenna Grace stars as Maysilee Donner and Jesse Plemons will play Plutarch Heavensbee.
Woody Harrelson’s voice was heard at the end of a teaser for the film, prompting some fans to believe he could have some involvement in the prequel.
What is the story about?
Sunrise On The Reaping follows 16-year-old Haymitch, who represents District 12 at the 50th Hunger Games. As readers will remember, this was the second Quarter Quell and as an extra-nasty twist, the reaping involved twice as many tributes as normal. This means Haymitch had to face 47 other tributes. Worse still, the reaping creates a separation between him the girl he loves.
Haymitch goes to the Capitol with three other District 12 tributes – “a young friend who’s nearly a sister to him, a compulsive oddsmaker, and the most stuck-up girl in town,” per a synopsis of the book.
When is the film out?
The film adaptation of Sunrise On The Reaping will be in cinemas on 20 November 2026. It follows the publication of the book of the same name in March this year.
It is the second prequel to The Hunger Games, following The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
