‘The Hunger Games’ Fans Think Joseph Zada Already Nailed Young Haymitch After New ‘Sunrise on the Reaping’ Featurette

The odds may not be in fans’ favor when it comes to surviving The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping emotionally.

Lionsgate released a new “Meet Haymitch” featurette for the upcoming prequel on July 4, giving audiences their most substantial look yet at Joseph Zada as a young Haymitch Abernathy ahead of the film’s Nov. 20 theatrical release. Rather than sparking debate, however, the video left much of the fandom celebrating what they believe is a pitch-perfect casting choice – and bracing themselves for what’s to come.

Set 24 years before the events of The Hunger Games, Sunrise on the Reaping begins on the morning of the reaping for the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell, which forced twice as many tributes into the arena. The story follows a teenage Haymitch long before he became the cynical mentor audiences first met in the original films.

The featurette combines new footage with behind-the-scenes interviews, including Zada describing Haymitch as someone whose journey charts “the loss of innocence” while igniting “his revolutionary spirit.”

For many fans, that brief glimpse was enough to convince them the beloved character is in good hands.

Fans Say Joseph Zada Captures Haymitch Perfectly

Character featurettes are designed to introduce audiences to a new face, but many longtime readers said the latest preview did something else entirely. It reassured them that the filmmakers understand Haymitch.

One of the biggest talking points centered on Zada’s performance, with viewers praising how closely he appears to capture Woody Harrelson’s portrayal without just imitating it.

“I’m so obsessed with how Joseph mimics the way Woody talks. It’s insane!!!” one viewer wrote.

Others echoed the sentiment, calling the casting “perfection” and praising the entire ensemble.

“The casting of this movie is perfection. You can tell they studied their characters, from the voices to the actions and movements. The Haymitch head nod, I am undone,” another commenter wrote.

“I can’t get over the incredible casting,” a third added, while another praised the accents, writing, “The accents! Omg! This is amazing.”

Several readers also applauded Zada’s understanding of the character after hearing him discuss Haymitch’s emotional arc in the featurette.

“I’m so glad that the actor gets the book’s premise. Even if you fall, you don’t die in vain,” one fan commented.

Readers Are Already Preparing to Cry

If there was one consistent theme throughout the comment section, it was that viewers are not expecting to leave the theater with dry eyes. Even though the movie is still months away, many fans admitted the brief scenes shown in the featurette already had them emotional.

“There’s no way I’m coming out alive of that cinema,” one person joked.

Another predicted, “Not a single dry eye will be coming out of the theater.”

Others admitted they had already started crying after hearing Haymitch’s line, “Till the end, sweetheart,” or watching quieter moments between Haymitch and Lenore Dove.

“I literally cried,” one viewer confessed.

Another summed up the mood of the comment section by writing, “This movie will crush me to pieces.”

For readers familiar with Suzanne Collins’ novel, much of that emotion stems from knowing exactly where Haymitch’s story leads. Instead of wondering what will happen, many fans found themselves dreading seeing heartbreaking moments they’ve only imagined while reading the book.

Eagle-Eyed Fans Spotted Details Throughout the Featurette

Book readers immediately began dissecting nearly every frame of the video, pointing out details including the pink birds, the Donner twins, Haymitch kissing away Lenore Dove’s tear, musical callbacks and costume choices.

Some also noticed what appeared to be entirely new scenes not included in the novel, sparking speculation about how the adaptation might expand the story.

Rather than criticizing potential changes, many commenters expressed excitement about seeing additional moments that could deepen the relationships between the characters before the Games begin.

Fans Also Praised the Timing of the Release

Many viewers believed Lionsgate knew exactly what it was doing by releasing the featurette on July 4, which is Haymitch’s birthday in the series timeline, a date many fans also refer to as Reaping Day.

“This is the best 4th of July gift ever,” one comment read.

“Give the Lionsgate team a raise,” another joked.

Others celebrated with messages like “Happy Birthday Haymitch,” while several said they had been waiting all day for new footage because they suspected the studio would mark the occasion.

The coordinated release turned what could have been a routine promotional video into a fan event, giving readers another reason to revisit one of the franchise’s most tragic characters.

Whether fans were analyzing tiny book references, praising Joseph Zada’s performance or simply mourning the emotional devastation they expect the film to deliver, one thing became clear from the reactions: audiences aren’t just excited to return to Panem – they’re convinced Sunrise on the Reaping understands why Haymitch’s story has resonated with readers for so long.

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping arrives in theaters and IMAX on Nov. 20.

(feature image: Lionsgate)

This is an opinion piece. The views expressed in this article are those of just the author.