Summary
- The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping must recast the role of Haymitch Abernathy, as its set 24 years before the original series.
- Actor Tom Glynn-Carney is a popular fancast for the role of Haymitch, and House of the Dragon proves he can look and act the part.
- Glynn-Carney's portrayal of Aegon II Targaryen proves he can handle adapted characters, setting him up for success as Haymitch.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is set 24 years before The Hunger Games movies, so the prequel will need to recast Haymitch Abernathy. Sunrise on the Reaping will depict the second Quarter Quell, which is among the bloodiest Hunger Games in history. It also happens to be Haymitch's tournament. As such, we'll see a younger version of Haymitch in the upcoming film, even if he's not the perspective character. But after Woody Harrelson’s iconic performance as Katniss and Peeta’s District 12 mentor, any actor who tackles a young Haymitch will have big shoes to fill.
Fortunately, there's one star who's perfect for the role, and Hunger Games fans are already fancasting him as Haymitch. With so many people wishing for this actor to follow Harrelson's performance, Sunrise on the Reaping would be wise to make it happen. This actor is already nailing his role in one book-to-screen adaptation, and there's little doubt he'd win viewers over as Haymitch. Needless to say, this popular Sunrise on the Reaping fancast is too good for the Hunger Games prequel to ignore.
Related
Sunrise On The Reaping Will Show The Evolution Of 1 Hunger Games Addition That Started In Ballad
As Sunrise on the Reaping delves into Haymitch’s origin story, the storyline will also explore the evolution of one dreaded Hunger Games mechanic.
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Casting Tom Glynn-Carney As Haymitch In Sunrise On The Reaping Is A Brilliant Idea
The House Of The Dragon Actor Looks & Acts The Part
If Sunrise on the Reaping wants to have continuity with the previous Hunger Games movies, it will need to cast an actor who looks like a younger version of Harrelson. It's no wonder that House of the Dragon's Tom Glynn-Carney is a popular fancast for the role, as his hair and facial structure make it easy to envision him as Haymitch in his youth. This is especially true when he's playing Aegon Targaryen, who could believably be plucked out of the HBO series and placed directly into The Hunger Games prequel.
House of the Dragon puts his acting range on full display, proving he can portray a complex character like Haymitch convincingly.
The House of the Dragon star looks the part, and he seems willing enough to consider a role in Sunrise on the Reaping. Glynn-Carney responded to the Haymich fan castings, telling Vestal Magazine that he is "incredibly flattered" by them. "If all goes well, I'll fight for my life in the Hunger Games!" he jested — and hey, it isn't a no. It's not just the actor's looks that make him perfect to take over as Haymitch, either. House of the Dragon puts his acting range on full display, proving he can portray a complex character like Haymitch convincingly.
Tom Glynn-Carney Is The Perfect Actor To Play Haymitch In The Hunger Games Prequel
He Can Capture Haymitch's Nuances
In addition to looking like a younger Haymitch Abernathy, Glynn-Carney is capable of capturing Haymitch's nuances. He proves as much during House of the Dragon. Aegon is a complex and interesting character, and he isn't exactly a good person. However, Glynn-Carney makes viewers feel sympathy for him, even as he shows some of his biggest flaws. We've seen Aegon merry and drunk, and we've witnessed him angry and grieving. Sunrise on the Reaping will need whoever portrays Haymitch to pull out all the stops emotionally, and Glynn-Carney can manage it.
Haymitch isn't as morally dubious as Aegon Targaryen, but he has to be somewhat ruthless to win the 50th Hunger Games. He also comes off as prickly and disillusioned when Katniss first meets him, and that seems to be his state for most of the years leading up to the 74th Hunger Games. Haymitch also has an unhealthy relationship with alcohol, which will likely emerge after his Hunger Games. An actor needs to handle all these aspects of his character with care, and Glynn-Carney's performance as Aegon makes a case for his success.
House Of The Dragon Proves Tom Glynn-Carney Can Handle Adapted Characters
House of the Dragon proves Glynn-Carney has the range to portray Haymitch, and the HBO series also suggests he can handle adapted characters. There's a lot of pressure that accompanies bringing characters from the book to the screen. The fact that Glynn-Carney already has experience in this area means he should be capable of capturing the Haymitch readers know and love. Of course, House of the Dragon isn't adapting an actual narrative; Fire & Blood reads more like a historical text. Still, he has experience interpreting a character's behavior on the page, then bringing that to the screen.
Whoever takes on Haymitch's character in Sunrise on the Reaping will need to walk a fine line, paying homage to Harrelson's portrayal while also setting their iteration apart. After witnessing how Glynn-Carney adds to Aegon's characterization, I have faith he could do this successfully. Only time will tell if The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping pursues him as its District 12 victor. This fancast is too perfect not to act on, though — so hopefully, the upcoming prequel does.
Source: Vestal Magazine
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (2026)
- Release Date
- November 20, 2026
- Movies
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