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Glenn Close and Billy Porter confirmed for Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping

Glenn Close and Billy Porter confirmed for Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping

Express Tribune5 hours ago

Glenn Close and Billy Porter are the latest high-profile additions to Lionsgate's upcoming The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, the studio confirmed during its CineEurope presentation. The film is slated for release on November 20, 2026.
Close, an eight-time Oscar nominee, will portray Drusilla Sickle, the ruthless escort for District 12's Tributes. Porter, a three-time Tony winner, takes on the role of Magno Stift, her estranged husband and the Tributes' disillusioned designer. The two join an ensemble cast that includes Joseph Zada, Whitney Peak, Mckenna Grace, Jesse Plemons, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Maya Hawke, Lili Taylor, Ben Wang, Ralph Fiennes, Elle Fanning, and Kieran Culkin.
Directed by Francis Lawrence and based on Suzanne Collins' bestselling novel, the screenplay is penned by Billy Ray. The project is produced by Color Force's Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson, with Cameron MacConomy serving as executive producer.
Jacobson praised Close's casting, calling her a 'dream Drusilla' and noting her ability to bring depth and memorability to every role.
On Porter's addition, she said, 'Billy is one of those rare performers who can dazzle and devastate in equal measure,' referencing their previous collaboration on Pose.
The film is set 24 years before the original Hunger Games story and centres on the reaping day of the Fiftieth Hunger Games, known as the Second Quarter Quell. The novel, released in March 2025, sold 1.5 million copies in its first week globally, including 1.2 million in the U.S. alone—outpacing previous franchise installments.
Close is represented by CAA, MGMT Entertainment and Loeb & Loeb, while Porter is repped by CAA, Amplified, and Felker Toczek Suddleson McGinnis Ryan LLP. Lionsgate executives Meredith Wieck and Scott O'Brien are overseeing the project, with Robert Melnik handling negotiations.

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Glenn Close and Billy Porter confirmed for Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping
Glenn Close and Billy Porter confirmed for Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping

Express Tribune

time5 hours ago

  • Express Tribune

Glenn Close and Billy Porter confirmed for Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping

Glenn Close and Billy Porter are the latest high-profile additions to Lionsgate's upcoming The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, the studio confirmed during its CineEurope presentation. The film is slated for release on November 20, 2026. Close, an eight-time Oscar nominee, will portray Drusilla Sickle, the ruthless escort for District 12's Tributes. Porter, a three-time Tony winner, takes on the role of Magno Stift, her estranged husband and the Tributes' disillusioned designer. The two join an ensemble cast that includes Joseph Zada, Whitney Peak, Mckenna Grace, Jesse Plemons, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Maya Hawke, Lili Taylor, Ben Wang, Ralph Fiennes, Elle Fanning, and Kieran Culkin. Directed by Francis Lawrence and based on Suzanne Collins' bestselling novel, the screenplay is penned by Billy Ray. The project is produced by Color Force's Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson, with Cameron MacConomy serving as executive producer. Jacobson praised Close's casting, calling her a 'dream Drusilla' and noting her ability to bring depth and memorability to every role. On Porter's addition, she said, 'Billy is one of those rare performers who can dazzle and devastate in equal measure,' referencing their previous collaboration on Pose. The film is set 24 years before the original Hunger Games story and centres on the reaping day of the Fiftieth Hunger Games, known as the Second Quarter Quell. The novel, released in March 2025, sold 1.5 million copies in its first week globally, including 1.2 million in the U.S. alone—outpacing previous franchise installments. Close is represented by CAA, MGMT Entertainment and Loeb & Loeb, while Porter is repped by CAA, Amplified, and Felker Toczek Suddleson McGinnis Ryan LLP. Lionsgate executives Meredith Wieck and Scott O'Brien are overseeing the project, with Robert Melnik handling negotiations.

David Beckham and Gary Oldman awarded knighthoods
David Beckham and Gary Oldman awarded knighthoods

Business Recorder

time12 hours ago

  • Business Recorder

David Beckham and Gary Oldman awarded knighthoods

LONDON: Former England soccer captain David Beckham and actor Gary Oldman were knighted in King Charles' annual birthday honours list on Saturday, while sculptor Antony Gormley was made a Companion of Honour. Beckham, 50, joined Manchester United as a trainee in 1993, going on to make almost 400 appearances for the club where he won a string of titles and cups. He subsequently played for Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, and AC Milan, as well as captaining his country 58 times and making 115 appearances. His marriage to fashion designer and former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham in 1999 cemented a celebrity status which went far beyond his sporting exploits. Oldman, 67, started his career on the stage, where he was a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company, before rising to prominence in film. He won the best actor Oscar for playing Winston Churchill in the 2017 drama 'Darkest Hour'. He also had roles in the 'Dark Knight Trilogy' and the 'Harry Potter' movie series and more recently starred in the TV spy drama 'Slow Horses'. Other famous names receiving honours included damehoods for musical theatre star Elaine Paige, novelist Pat Barker and ceramics maker Emma Bridgewater. Roger Daltrey, lead singer of rock band the Who and a patron of the Teenage Cancer Trust, received a knighthood for services to charity. More than 1,200 people received honours for their achievements, with a particular focus on those who had given their time to public service, the government said. King Charles' official birthday was celebrated with the annual 'Trooping the Colour' military parade in London on Saturday. His actual birthday is on November 14.

Beckham, Oldman knighted
Beckham, Oldman knighted

Express Tribune

time2 days ago

  • Express Tribune

Beckham, Oldman knighted

Beckham has long been in the list to receive knighthood. Oldman's films have earned over USD 11 billion. PHOTO: File Former England football captain and global fashion icon David Beckham was knighted on Friday for his services to sport and charity, with The Who singer Roger Daltrey and actor Gary Oldman also receiving the honour, as reported by AFP. Beckham, who played 115 times for England as well as for some of the world's most high-profile clubs including Manchester United and Real Madrid, will now be known as 'sir' and his wife Victoria, a former member of the Spice Girls pop group, will be known as Lady Beckham. The 50-year-old, who has long been in the running for a knighthood, was appointed an officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2003 – a lesser award in Britain's honours system. Victoria later received the same award for services to the fashion industry. "Growing up in east London with parents and grandparents who were so patriotic and proud to be British, I never could have imagined I would receive such a truly humbling honour," Beckham said in a statement issued to the Press Association. "I'm so lucky to be able to do the work that I do and I'm grateful to be recognised for work that gives me so much fulfilment," he added. Daltrey, who co-founded The Who in 1964, will also take the title of sir having been recognised for his services to charity and music in King Charles III's Birthday Honours list. The 81-year-old singer has been a patron of Teenage Cancer Trust since 2000, holding fundraising concerts at London's Royal Albert Hall for more than two decades. Daltrey 'dream' "It's kind of weird, but I am deeply honoured to get this, especially for the charity for the Teenage Cancer Trust, and I accept it on their behalf really, because this honour is really for all unsung heroes," the My Generation singer told the Press Association. "It's a dream come true for me, but it's especially a dream because the charity means so much," he added. Oldman, who won a best actor Oscar for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in 2017's Darkest Hour, also received a knighthood for his services to drama. The 67-year-old's films have earned over $11 billion, and his credits include the Harry Potter series, The Dark Knight Trilogy and Air Force One, along with cameo appearances in sitcom Friends and music videos for David Bowie and Guns N' Roses. Stage star Elaine Page, who played Eva Peron in the first production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Evita, and novelist Pat Barker have both been made dames. Barker is known for her World War I Regeneration Trilogy, the first book of which was turned into a Hollywood film starring Jonathan Pryce. Brand Beckham Beckham's knighthood is the culmination of years of tireless efforts to transcend football and turn himself into a global icon at the intersection of sport, fashion and business. The honour, one of the highest bestowed by the UK state, "is a powerful symbolic marker", Marie Agnes Parmentier, professor of marketing at the University of Montreal and author of several papers on Posh and Becks, explained to AFP. Even at the height of his football career, Beckham was building his global brand with thought to his retirement. His appearance in a sarong, revelations that he used make-up and his eccentric hairstyles were all feverishly gobbled up by the UK's tabloid press. He also had to overcome the tag as England's 'most-hated man' after being sent off during the 1998 World Cup in a knockout game against Argentina. Beckham is understood to have been on the verge of receiving a knighthood after helping London win its bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games. But UK authorities placed a red flag on his nomination due to his involvement in an alleged tax avoidance scheme, according to previous reports. He was subsequently cleared.

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