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Ben Wang has been cast as District 12 Tribute Wyatt Callow in “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping,” an adaptation of the bestselling book by Suzanne Collins. He 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, Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Beetee and Lili Taylor as Mags.
Wang is best known for his starring role of Jin Wang in the Disney+ series “American Born Chinese,” in which he starred opposite Oscar winners Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan. He will next be seen in the titular role for Sony Pictures’ “Karate Kid: Legends,” which is releasing in theaters worldwide May 30. Wang was cast in the role after an extensive worldwide search where over 10,000 submissions were received. This summer, he will star in Lionsgate’s feature “The Long Walk,” based on the Stephen King novel of the same name and directed by “Sunrise on the Reaping” filmmaker Francis Lawrence.
Wang also recently wrapped lead roles in two independent features. First is the coming of age film “Brian,” in which he plays the titular role opposite William H. Macy, Randall Park and Edi Patterson. The project is produced by Seth Meyers and Mike Scollins, who also penned the script, and Will Ropp directs. The second indie in the works 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. Wang stars opposite Zoey Deutch, Jon Hamm and John Slattery. Previously, Wang was part of the ensemble in the musical “Mean Girls” for Paramount Pictures, and he co-starred in the coming-of-age feature film “Chang Can Dunk” for Disney+. He is a graduate of the NYU Tisch theater program.
The film adaptation of “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping” will be released on Nov. 20, 2026. Lawrence, who has helmed every installment of the franchise since 2012’s “Catching Fire,” will direct from a screenplay adaptation by Billy Ray. Color Force’s Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson will produce. Cameron MacConomy will executive produce. The five films in the franchise so far have taken in over $3.3 billion at the box office.
Published on March 18, “Sunrise on the Reaping” revisits the world of Panem 24 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.”
Meredith Wieck and Scott O’Brien are overseeing the project for Lionsgate. Robert Melnik negotiated the deal for the studio.
Wang is represented by Artists First, Stewart Talent and Schreck Rose Dapello Adams Berlin & Dunham.
English (US) ·