MEET YOUNG HAYMITCH! Joseph Zada Steps Into Woody Harrelson's Iconic Role
The Hunger Games just dropped our first peek at the origin story of everyone's favorite mentor—and he's nothing like we expected.
Lionsgate just gave us the gift we didn't know we needed: a sneak peek at young Haymitch Abernathy! On Saturday, the studio released a brand-new "Meet Haymitch" featurette celebrating the character's birthday in Panem, and it introduces Joseph Zada as a fresh-faced version of the grizzled Games mentor we all know and love from Woody Harrelson's iconic portrayal. Spoiler alert: pre-whiskey Haymitch is a whole different vibe.
The footage comes straight from The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, the prequel that's hitting theaters November 20. This one tells the origin story of how Haymitch became the 50th Hunger Games victor—aka the Second Quarter Quell champion—before he ever mentored Katniss and Peeta. According to Deadline and Variety, the featurette gives fans their first real look at Zada in the role, and honestly? The casting is already winning us over.
With this fresh take on a beloved character, Sunrise on the Reaping is shaping up to be a must-see for Hunger Games devotees. We're dying to see how Zada brings Haymitch to life during his glory days—before all that Peeta chaos and revolution business. Mark your calendars for November 20!
Sources · Variety · Deadline