Lili Taylor has been cast as Mags in Lionsgate’s “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping,” an adaptation of the bestselling book by Suzanne Collins. She joins previously announced cast members Joseph Zada as Haymitch Abernathy, Whitney Peak as Lenore Dove Baird, Mckenna Grace as Maysilee Donner, Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee, Maya Hawke as Wiress and Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Beetee.
Mags, previously portrayed by Lynn Cohen in “Catching Fire,” is a former Hunger Games champion-turned-District 12 mentor.
Taylor is a three-time Emmy nominee who will next be seen in the second season of Marvel’s “Daredevil: Born Again” as well as Netflix’s “Fear Street: Prom Queen.” She can also be seen starring in the mystery drama “Outer Range” on Amazon. In the literary space, this spring, Taylor released her debut book “Turning to Birds,” a love letter to birding and the art of seeking peace in unexpected places.
The film adaptation of “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping” will be released on Nov. 20, 2026. Francis Lawrence will direct from a screenplay adaptation by Billy Ray. Color Force’s Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson will produce. Cameron MacConomy will executive produce.
Published on March 18, “Sunrise on the Reaping” revisits the world of Panem twenty-four years before the events of “The Hunger Games,” starting on the morning of the reaping of the Fiftieth Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.
“Sunrise on the Reaping” sold 1.5 million copies in its first week on sale in the U.S., U.K., Ireland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The 1.2 million copies sold in the U.S. are twice the first week sales of “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” and three times the first week sales of “Mockingjay.” The five films in the franchise have taken in over $3.3 billion at the box office.
Meredith Wieck and Scott O’Brien are overseeing the project for Lionsgate. Robert Melnik negotiated the deal for the studio.
Taylor is represented by Independent Artist Group and Untitled Entertainment. Deadline was first to report Taylor’s casting.
