The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping stars McKenna Grace and Joseph Zada have responded to fans who want their on-screen chemistry to develop into a real-life romance, making it clear that they share a close, family-like friendship.
Actors Respond to Fans
During an interview with Refinery29 Australia, Grace and Zada were asked about fans shipping them as a couple because of their characters, Maysilee Donner and Haymitch Abernathy, in the upcoming Hunger Games prequel.
Zada smiled and described the fan reaction as “pretty weird”, pointing out that both actors already have partners.
The 20-year-old actor also referred to Grace as his “younger, younger sister”, prompting a playful response from his co-star.
“Younger? Definitely not,” Grace joked, challenging his description of their relationship.
Grace Calls Zada Family
Grace, who is dating her Regretting You co-star Mason Thames, said she understands that fan speculation and fictional pairings are part of being involved in a popular entertainment franchise.
“Joe’s like family,” she said, explaining that people on the internet are free to ship different characters or actors as long as they respect their personal lives.
The two actors appeared comfortable joking about the attention, making it clear that their real-life relationship is based on friendship rather than romance.
Cast Members Get Shipped
The conversation also turned playful when the co-stars discussed other pairings involving members of the film’s cast.
Zada revealed that some fans had paired him with Ben Wang, who plays District 12 tribute Wyatt Callow. He added that he could understand why people liked the pairing.
Grace agreed, naming Ben and Joe as her favourite ship.
Zada then suggested that Grace could be paired with Laura Marcus, who portrays District 1 tribute Silka Sharp.
Grace, however, had another pairing in mind. Referring to her character Maysilee and Whitney Peak’s character Lenore Dove, she said, “I like Maydove. I’m coming for your girl.”
View this post on Instagram
Hutcherson Offers Advice
Grace has previously spoken about the pressure and excitement of joining the popular Hunger Games franchise.
While working with Josh Hutcherson on Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, the actress asked him about his experience filming the arena sequences in the original films.
Hutcherson played Peeta Mellark in the original Hunger Games movie series and was able to share his experience with the new cast member.
Grace recalled discussing the intensity of the arena scenes with him.
“I spent a lot of time asking him, ‘Was your arena experience as intense as ours was?’ And he was like, ‘Oh yeah, yeah it was,'” she told E! News at the Coach Fall 2026 show in February.
McKenna Grace Gets Emotional Over ‘Lifetime Opportunity’ in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping
New Film Explores Haymitch’s Past
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is set 24 years before the events of the original film series. It follows a young Haymitch Abernathy during the 50th Hunger Games.
Directed by Francis Lawrence, the prequel features a high-profile cast that includes Ralph Fiennes, Glenn Close, Elle Fanning, Kieran Culkin, Jesse Plemons and Maya Hawke.
Grace plays Maysilee Donner, while Zada portrays the younger version of Haymitch Abernathy.
The film is scheduled to arrive in cinemas on November 20, 2026, bringing audiences back to the world of Panem while exploring events that shaped one of the franchise’s most recognisable characters.
