Australian actor Joseph Zada is stepping into the spotlight as the teenage Haymitch Abernathy in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, which opens in U.S. theaters on Friday, November 20, 2026. Ahead of the nationwide launch, early ticket demand is building for premium large-format screenings, particularly for paid early-access showings scheduled for Wednesday, November 18. Set 24 years before Katniss Everdeen enters the arena, the prequel tracks the 50th Hunger Games—known as the Second Quarter Quell—where twice the usual number of tributes are selected to compete.

Who Is Rising Star Joseph Zada?

Before landing the lead role in Panem's latest theatrical chapter, the 21-year-old Australian actor built a fast-moving television career across streaming platforms.

According to a profile by Cultured Mag, Zada comes from an acting family; his father, Jeremy Cumpston, starred in the Australian medical drama All Saints, and both his older and younger brothers work in the industry.

In both of his major 2026 projects, Zada takes over roles previously defined by major Hollywood figures. In Sunrise on the Reaping, he steps into the shoes of a 16-year-old Haymitch Abernathy, the cynical mentor originally portrayed by Woody Harrelson across the first four Hunger Games films. Just prior to the prequel's release, Zada starred as Caleb "Cal" Trask in Netflix's seven-episode limited series adaptation of John Steinbeck's East of Eden—a role famously originated on screen by James Dean in Elia Kazan's 1955 film.

Speaking with Cultured Mag from Nova Scotia while filming the second season of his thriller series We Were Liars, Zada expressed confidence about the rapid acceleration of his career and the pressure of high-profile expectations.

"I think that everything's laid out for me," Zada said. "I've got a lot of trust in where I'm going." Discussing how he approaches iconic characters without bowing to outside pressure, he added, "You never make anything very special when you're trying to pander to other people." When asked whether he wanted to slow down after a year of continuous production, the actor remarked, "No, I'm ready to double it."

Where to Stream Joseph Zada's Earlier Projects

Audiences looking to sample Zada's screen work before November 20 have several options across major U.S. streaming platforms, as detailed by Sweety High Blog:

  • East of Eden (Netflix): Premiering on October 1, this seven-episode prestige miniseries adapted by Zoe Kazan features Zada as Cal Trask alongside Joe Anders as his twin brother Aron, starring opposite Florence Pugh, Christopher Abbott, and Mike Faist. Zada drew inspiration from J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye to bring elements of Holden Caulfield to his performance.
  • We Were Liars (Prime Video): Based on E. Lockhart's bestselling young-adult mystery novel, the series features Zada as Johnny Sinclair Dennis, part of a wealthy family's inner circle of teenagers known as the Liars. Season 1 is currently available on Prime Video, with Season 2 in production.
  • Invisible Boys (Hulu, Upcoming): Zada earned his initial breakout role as Charlie Roth in this Australian drama originally produced for Stan. Adapted from Holden Sheppard's novel, the story centers on gay teenagers in the coastal town of Geraldton, Western Australia, after Charlie is outed on social media. The series is slated to stream on Hulu in the U.S., though an official premiere date has not yet been announced.

Inside 'Sunrise on the Reaping' and the 50th Hunger Games

In The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, Zada leads an ensemble cast that blends young newcomers with veteran stars. In the arena of the 50th Hunger Games, his young Haymitch appears opposite Whitney Peak as Lenore Dove Baird and Mckenna Grace as fellow District 12 tribute Maysilee Donner. Entertainment Weekly also highlights Kelvin Harrison Jr. in the cast, who discussed filming his first scene alongside Zada's Haymitch.

According to The Mercury News, the feature also includes A-list actors Elle Fanning, Kieran Culkin, and Ralph Fiennes, alongside appearances by original franchise stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, and Woody Harrelson.

Box Office Tracking and Early Ticket Demand

Since advance tickets went on sale on October 28, strong early bookings have been reported, though data varies between localized theater snapshots and broader industry projections.

According to The Mercury News and The Sacramento Bee, prime seating for Wednesday, November 18 early-access screenings in Northern California's South Bay is filling quickly across premium formats like IMAX, Dolby Cinema, XD, and ScreenX.

At AMC Sunnyvale 12, the 6:00 p.m. IMAX screening on November 18 had only front-row seats remaining over a week before release, while the 6:30 p.m. Dolby Cinema slot retained limited availability. Similar crunches were documented at AMC Mercado 20 in Santa Clara, AMC Eastridge 15 in San Jose, and Cinemark Century Oakridge 20 in San Jose, though standard and 3D formats still offered wider seating options.

On a national scale, while official verified presale totals have not been publicly disclosed by studio distributors, secondary box-office tracking outlets such as Action Network project an opening weekend forecast of $80 million or more.

The Mercury News also notes box office reports indicating advance pace is outstripping last year's debut of Wicked: For Good, though box office analysts treat these comparisons as early industry forecasts rather than final theatrical tallies.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can fans watch 'Sunrise on the Reaping' before the November 20 release date?

Moviegoers have two options prior to the official Friday opening. Fandango lists paid early-access screenings nationwide on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, and notes that customers purchasing eligible tickets during its promotional window starting October 28 may receive an offer connected to an Audible promotion, subject to current terms. Separately, Parade reports that free advance screenings will take place in select U.S. cities on Monday, November 16, though passes are limited and do not guarantee admission.

Are tickets sold out nationwide for opening weekend?

No. While regional reports show that prime evening seats in premium formats (such as IMAX and Dolby Cinema) for the November 18 early screenings are heavily booked or nearly full at select locations, seats remain available in standard formats, 3D showings, and general opening-weekend slots across the country.

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