On April 23, the first casting announcements for the hit Hunger Games prequel, “Sunrise on the Reaping,” were announced. The cast has sparked a lot of controversy on whether the choices are accurate to the novel or not.
The book takes place 24 years before the original trilogy. The story follows Haymich Abernathy, a tribute from District 12, as he enters the 50th annual Hunger Games, where children are forced to fight to the death. He is forced into the “Quarter Quell,” which takes place every 25 years and is a harder version of the original games. He must face 48 tributes instead of 24, because of the challenges decided for this Quell.
Being the main character, Haymitch was announced first. He is portrayed by Australian actor Joseph Zada, previously known for his performance as Johnny in “We Were Liars.” This casting has received slight criticism due to his age. Zada is 20 years old, playing 16-year-old Haymitch, so some think he doesn’t look young enough, or that he looks too perfect to be from District 12.
McKenna Grace, 19, is playing one of the female district 12 tributes, Maysilee Donner. Grace hasn’t received much backlash as she is exactly how Maysilee is described (blonde with blue eyes). Grace also has a wide range of acting skills, leading the majority of people to agree that her casting is spot on.
There are a few people scattered across social media who are against this casting. Not because Grace doesn’t look the part, but simply because they cannot picture her as Maysilee. Both Zada and Grace have not received the most backlash over casting, but it goes to another character and their actress.
22-year-old Whitney Peak will be playing Lenore Dove, Haymitch’s love interest. She has received a lot of hate on her appearance, specifically her hair. On social media, a large number of people believe that a red head should have been casted for Dove.
“Haymitch and Maysilee castings work, Lenore does not,” Book Enthusiast Elizabeth Smith said. “I believe that she is supposed to have green eyes and strawberry blonde hair?”
Dove was described as having just “hints of red in her hair when it hit the sun.” When looking at photos of Peak in the sun, she does have a hint of red. Dove does have green eyes and Peak does not. This is not a big issue since it is just eye color but if the director does want her to have green eyes, colored contacts can be used. Fortunately, Peak does have a wide range of fans who all agree she is going to do great, despite backlash.
There are lots of other castings, apart from the three talked about, that have or have not received backlash. Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket has received little to no backlash. Molly McCann as Louella McCoy has received a fair amount of hate. Just like Maysilee, a few people on social media claim she is not what they pictured. Louella was only given a small description that just included her hair and eye color, along with her face shape. McCann does fit this description relatively well.
The majority of opinions and thoughts shared have been positive. Lots of people have been praising the casting director, Debra Zane. Real feedback on the cast cannot truly occur until the movie releases on Nov. 20, 2026. Right now, it is all in the hands of costume, makeup and hair to bring the characters to life.
Even if Peak is not what people pictured for Dove, that can change. The actors are not going to look like their characters in their daily life. They are still humans after all. The talent needed for these roles is overlooked. The talent and dedication these actors have for their roles is what matters, not their eye color.
