Set more than two decades prior to the events of the original Hunger Games trilogy, Sunrise on the Reaping serves as an origin story for Haymitch Abernathy, the boozy oaf and fierce mentor played by Woody Harrelson in the films.

After Zada’s casting was unveiled, Jacobson spoke to Deadline about the arduous process of finding “a young actor with the skill and imagination to embody young Haymitch.” She added that Zada “prepared like crazy and stole our hearts.”

Joseph Zada is set to star as the younger version of Haymitch, who was portrayed by Woody Harrelson in the original “Hunger Games” films. “Sunrise on the Reaping” takes place 24 years before the events of the first “Hunger Games” movie, when Haymitch is 16.