Who will play young Haymitch in Hunger Games prequel? The Mike Faist rumours explained

7 August 2024, 12:51 | Updated: 28 March 2025, 14:12

By Sam Prance

Sunrise on the Reaping will focus on the 50th Hunger Games where Haymitch Abernathy was the winning tribute.

Who will play young Haymitch Abernathy in the Hunger Games prequel Sunrise on the Reaping? Are the rumours about Mike Faist true? Here's what we actually know.

Ever since Lionsgate confirmed that they will be adapting Suzanne Collins' Sunrise on the Reaping into a film, fans have been desperate to know who will be cast in it. Set 24 years before the first book, the prequel revolves around the 50th Hunger Games and Haymitch's traumatic path to victory.

Haymitch was 16 years old when he won the games and fans have begun putting forward their own ideas as to who should play a younger version of Woody Harrelson's character. Drew Starkey and Tom Glynn-Carney are amongst the fan faves so far.

Now, rumours have gone viral that Mike Faist will star in the film but is there any truth to them? And who will play Haymitch?

• Read more: Hunger Games prequel Sunrise on the Reaping confirms character is gay
• Read more: Hunger Games' Sunrise on the Reaping reveals harrowing way Haymitch became a tribute

Will Mike Faist play Haymitch in Sunrise on the Reaping?

In August 2024, X/Twitter account @21metgala tweeted that Challengers actor Mike Faist is "set to star" in Sunrise on the Reaping and it wasn't long before the tweet went viral with many fans assuming that Mike had been cast as Haymitch.

The account cited Production Weekly as a source and, sure enough, the listing does include Mike's name.

Production Weekly’s listing, however, is less definitive than @21metgala's tweet appears. The synopsis states that the film will begin on the morning of the reaping of the Second Quarter Quell and adds: "Mike Faist mentioned for the male lead."

Seeing as Haymitch will be the "male lead", it implies that Mike is in conversation to play the character, but the term "mentioned" does not mean anything is confirmed.

At 33, Mike is currently double the age of young Haymitch but that hasn't stopped actors in their 20s and 30s playing teenagers before.

As it stands, no official casting information for a young Haymitch has been revealed. Other names that are currently popular on social media include Outer Banks' Drew Starkey, House of the Dragon's Tom Glynn-Carney and Dark's Louis Hofmann but all three actors are much older than Haymitch.

When asked how he feels about fans wanting him to play young Haymitch, Tom Glynn-Carney told Vestal: "I'm incredibly flattered that people would like to see me on screen again. If all goes well, I'll fight for my life in the Hunger Games!"

Elsewhere, Percy Jackson's Walker Scobell has also been mentioned by fans but people think he's a better fit to play a young Finnick.

It's also possible that they will cast a less-established actor in the role instead. What do you think? Who should play Haymitch in Sunrise on the Reaping?

Read more from Capital Buzz here:

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• Here's How Hunger Games' Jason Schwartzman 'Improvised' His Lucky Flickerman Scenes
• Sam Claflin Says He Wants To Play Finnick's Dad In Hunger Games Prequel
• Hunger Games Fans Are Thirsting Over Young Snow And Everyone Is Conflicted
• Hunger Games' Rachel Zegler Sang Live In Every Lucy Gray Singing Scene

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