‘The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping’ Adds Ben Wang as Wyatt (EXCLUSIVE)

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In the upcoming adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ bestselling book “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping,” Ben Wang has been chosen to play District 12 Tribute Wyatt Callow. Previously announced cast members include Joseph Zada as Haymitch Abernathy, Whitney Peak as Lenore Dove Baird, Mckenna Grace as Maysilee Donner, Jesse Plemons portraying Plutarch Heavensbee, Maya Hawke as Wiress, Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Beetee, and Lili Taylor as Mags.

Wang is primarily recognized for his leading part as Jin Wang in the Disney+ series “American Born Chinese,” where he acted alongside Academy Award winners Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan. In the upcoming months, audiences will see him take on the main role in Sony Pictures’ “Karate Kid: Legends,” set to hit cinemas globally on May 30th. The role was given to Wang following a global talent search that drew over 10,000 applicants. During the summer season, Wang will feature in Lionsgate’s film “The Long Walk,” an adaptation of Stephen King’s novel with the same title and helmed by Francis Lawrence, who directed “Sunrise on the Reaping.

More recently, Wang has landed leading roles in two independent films. The first is titled “Brian,” where he takes on the main character alongside William H. Macy, Randall Park, and Edi Patterson. This project is produced by Seth Meyers and Mike Scollins, who also wrote the script, with Will Ropp directing. The second independent film in production for Wang is the R-rated “Untitled Celebrity Pass Movie,” a comedy written by David Wain and Ken Marino and directed by Wain for A Likely Story. In this film, he co-stars alongside Zoey Deutch, Jon Hamm, and John Slattery. Prior to this, Wang was part of the cast in the musical “Mean Girls” produced by Paramount Pictures, and he shared the screen with others in the coming-of-age film “Chang Can Dunk,” which streamed on Disney+. Before embarking on his acting career, he graduated from the NYU Tisch theater program.

Mark your calendars, fellow movie enthusiasts! On November 20, 2026, I’ll be counting down the days until the much-anticipated film adaptation of “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping” hits the big screen. If you’ve been following this franchise since its inception with 2012’s “Catching Fire,” then you’re already familiar with the steady hand of director Francis Lawrence, who will once again be at the helm for this installment.

The screenplay is being adapted by Billy Ray, ensuring a faithful adaptation that stays true to Suzanne Collins’ original vision. The production team, led by Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson from Color Force, promises an unforgettable cinematic experience. Cameron MacConomy will serve as executive producer.

With the first five films in the franchise already raking in over $3.3 billion at the box office, expectations are high for this continuation of the captivating story of Katniss Everdeen and the dystopian world of Panem. Can’t wait to see it!

March 18th publication: “Sunrise on the Reaping” takes me back to the world of Panem, exactly 24 years before the unfolding of “The Hunger Games.” The story begins with the dawn of the morning that marks the reaping for the Fiftieth Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.

In its debut week, “Sunrise on the Reaping” managed to sell an impressive 1.5 million copies across the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. This figure represents a double of the first-week sales for “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” in the U.S., and more than triple the initial week’s sales of “Mockingjay.

Meredith Wieck and Scott O’Brien serve as the project supervisors at Lionsgate, while Robert Melnik handled the negotiations on behalf of the studio for this particular deal.

Wang is associated with the agencies Artists First, Stewart Talent, Schreck Rose, Dapello Adams, Berlin & Dunham.

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2025-05-15 21:46