Finding Their Confidence in Panem: Joseph Zada and Whitney Peak on The Hunger Games
Hollywood First Look sits down with Joseph Zada and Whitney Peak to explore The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, the highly anticipated prequel that introduces audiences to a younger Haymitch Abernathy and his relationship with Lenore Dove Baird before the devastating events of the 50th Hunger Games.
Joseph reveals the pressure he felt stepping into a role previously portrayed by Woody Harrelson and how director Francis Lawrence helped him find the confidence to make Haymitch his own. After several auditions, Joseph admits he tried a full impersonation of Harrelson before Francis encouraged him to stop imitating and bring his own personality to the character.
Whitney clears up a misconception about her casting, explaining that she never turned down the role but nearly skipped the audition because she felt intimidated by the opportunity. Joseph is quick to praise his co-star, sharing how he often reminds her of her talent whenever self-doubt creeps in.
The two also reflect on their natural chemistry, the time they spent developing their characters’ relationship, and how their shared interpretation of Haymitch and Lenore helped bring their emotional connection to the screen. Joseph even admits he’d work with Whitney again in a heartbeat!
Featured in this video:
Joseph Zada (Haymitch Abernathy)
Whitney Peak (Lenore Dove Baird)
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping opens in theaters and IMAX November 20, 2026.
Correspondent/Producer: Kiyra Lynn
https://www.instagram.com/kiyralynn
Senior Producer: Kiyra Lynn
Editor: Mickey Martinez
