‘Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping’ stars McKenna Grace, Joseph Zada react to fans shipping them IRL

Zada described Grace as his "younger, younger sister" while the Maysillee Donner actress said "Joe’s like family"

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping stars McKenna Grace and Joseph Zada have shared their reactions to fans hoping their on-screen connection will turn into a real-life romance.

During an interview with Refinery29 Australia, the actors were asked about being shipped by fans because of their characters, Maysilee Donner and Haymitch Abernathy, in the upcoming prequel.

“Yeah, it’s pretty weird,” Zada responded with a smile, pointing out that both actors already have partners.

The 20-year-old actor also described Grace as his “younger, younger sister”, prompting his co-star to jokingly challenge the description. “Younger? Definitely not,” she replied.

 

 

 

 

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Grace, who is dating her Regretting You co-star Mason Thames, said she understands that fan shipping is part of being involved in a major franchise.

“Joe’s like family,” the actress explained. She added that the internet allows people to ship whichever characters or individuals they want, as long as it does not intrude on anyone's personal life.

The pair also had fun suggesting alternative pairings involving their fellow cast members. Zada revealed that he had been shipped with Ben Wang, who plays District 12 tribute Wyatt Callow, adding that he could understand the pairing.

Grace agreed, saying her favourite ship was Ben and Joe. Zada then suggested that Grace could be paired with Laura Marcus, who plays District 1 tribute Silka Sharp.

However, Grace had another pairing in mind. Referring to her character Maysilee and Whitney Peak's Lenore Dove, she said: “I like Maydove. I'm coming for your girl.”

Grace has also previously discussed the intensity of joining the Hunger Games franchise and received advice from original cast member Josh Hutcherson, who played Peeta Mellark in the original films.

The actress revealed that she spoke to Hutcherson while they were working together on Five Nights at Freddy's 2, asking about his experience filming the franchise's arena sequences.

“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.

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is set 24 years before the events of the original film series and follows a young Haymitch Abernathy during the 50th Hunger Games.

Directed by Francis Lawrence, the film also stars Ralph Fiennes, Glenn Close, Elle Fanning, Kieran Culkin, Jesse Plemons and Maya Hawke. It is scheduled to arrive in cinemas on November 20, 2026.