Latest news with #District12
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Elle Fanning Finally Reacted To 'Sunrise On The Reaping' Fans Calling For Her To Play Effie
The cast might be the best movie cast of 2026 — and it definitely proves that the Hunger Games team knows exactly what to look for when casting a role. Joseph Zada as Haymitch? Jesse Plemons as Plutarch? Ralph Fiennes as President Snow? I didn't think it could get much better than then it was announced that Elle Fanning is joining too. And OG Effie, Elizabeth Banks, just weighed in! Here's what Elle Fanning said about playing Effie Trinket in Sunrise on the Reaping. Who's playing Effie Trinket in Sunrise on the Reaping? Elle Fanning will step into the role of a young Effie Trinket (played by Elizabeth Banks in the original Hunger Games series), who serves as the District 12 stylist in the 50th Hunger Games. And Elle's convinced the fans had something to do with the role. 'I think fans made this happen in a way. [Lionsgate] said they were getting kind of hounded online, like, 'Elle needs to play Effie,'" Elle told MTV. "Effie has always been my favorite character. I think Elizabeth Banks, she to that character. I love her." "I'm super excited. I texted the producers as well, and I think she's perfect," Elizabeth Banks told at her The Better Sister premiere May 21. "I think everyone's really happy. And I'm really happy about that. I'm excited for the next generation to have their Effie." And the internet has gone crazy. "The most locked in casting director of recent memory," one X user , while another , "she's so perfect for the role." "if this is true then their casting is on point!" a third person . (It is true, and it is on point). But could we see Elizabeth Banks return, too? The actress told that she'd be open to returning — maybe in a Sunrise on the Reaping epilogue? "Yeah, of course, I love her," she says. "I would, if the fans want to." "I love Effie, it's one of my favorite characters," she continues. "She was not really in Mockingjay, so a lot of that came from the empathy that I got to bring to that character and the community I built with all of the collaborators on that film, including Suzanne Collins, and I think that Effie and Haymitch together became such a phenomenon that it's no surprise to me that Haymitch is getting a story now too." Who else do you want to see in the cast? Check out our with producer Nina Jacobson for more! This post has been updated. Solve the daily Crossword
Buzz Feed
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Elle Fanning Said Fan Commentary Influenced Her Hunger Games Casting
When it was revealed this year that Elle Fanning would be playing Effie Trinket in the film adaptation of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, the announcement was both incredibly exciting and not all that surprising. Sunrise on the Reaping is the second prequel book in Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games novel series, and is set 24 years before the events of the first book in the original trilogy. The book — which hit shelves in March 2025 — and its accompanying movie adaptation were announced back in June 2024, and fans had already locked in their ideal castings for the prequel's younger versions of beloved characters like Haymitch Abernathy, Plutarch Heavensbee, Caesar Flickerman, and, of course, Effie Trinket. For context, Effie features heavily in the original Hunger Games trilogy as the escort and advisor to the District 12 tributes. And in Sunrise on the Reaping, a younger Effie is a stylist for Haymitch, who is preparing to participate in the 50th Hunger Games as the District 12 tribute. If you're familiar with the Hunger Games, you'll know that Effie — who was portrayed in the OG movies by Elizabeth Banks — is quite the fashionista. So, when it came to casting a younger Effie for Sunrise on the Reaping, minds went straight to Elle, who fans think has always been 'giving Effie Trinket energy.' 'y'all have any idea that this fandom has been making young effie edits with elle fanning for YEARS??? and until months ago this was an impossible dream???' one X post in response to the announcement read.'Casting director deserves an Oscar alone for what he's done here,' added another fan, while someone else wrote: 'OH MY GOD ITS HAPPENING THE PROPHECY WE MADE IT GUYSSZBDJCJFNDJDJFN.''Elle fanning as Effie Trinket was the most accurate and universally accepted casting that has ever happened in recent years,' echoed someone else. And now, Elle has weighed in on the discourse surrounding her casting, revealing that the online campaigning from fans definitely influenced her landing the job. During a new interview with Josh Horowitz for MTV, Elle was asked about her 'perfect casting' in the upcoming project, to which she said: 'It was funny, because I think fans made this happen in a way. The studio said they were getting kind of hounded online, like, 'Elle needs to play Effie'...So they called.' And it's not just the fans who are pleased with Elle's casting; Elizabeth Banks is very much on board too. When Elle was announced as Effie, Elizabeth contacted her directly with celebratory flowers and told People: 'I'm super excited. I texted the producers as well, and I think she's perfect.' Speaking with MTV, Elle expressed how thrilled she is to be following in Elizabeth's footsteps. 'I'm a huge fan, and Effie has always been my favorite character,' she said. 'I think Elizabeth Banks is— she brought so much, even beyond the books, like, layers to that character. I love her, and I have [gotten] to talk to Elizabeth. We've texted, and she sent me flowers and said, 'May the odds be ever in your favor.'' The movie is due to begin shooting this summer and is currently set to hit theaters on November 20, 2026. Giving some behind-the-scenes insight, Elle said: 'I haven't started filming yet, but we're thinking [about it] and hopefully making the fans happy.' As you may have seen, Elle's participation in Sunrise on the Reaping isn't the only fan-casting for the movie that became a reality. You can read a breakdown of who's playing who in the upcoming movie adaptation here.
Perth Now
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping casts Katniss Everdeen's parents
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping has cast Katniss Everdeen's parents. The upcoming prequel movie has added Scot Greenan and Grace Ackary as Burdock Everdeen and Asterid March, respectively - the father and mother of Jennifer Lawrence's iconic heroine from the original Hunger Games films. It has also been announced that Melody Chikakane Brown and Jefferson White have joined The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping as Hattie Meeney and Mr. McCoy, respectively. The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping will feature Joseph Zada in the lead role of Haymitch Abernathy - the character previously played by Woody Harrelson in the original tetralogy - while Whitney Peak has been cast as his girlfriend, Lenore Dove Baird. Maya Hawke will take on the role of Wiress, the former Hunger Games victor who now mentors the tributes of District 12, while Mckenna Grace will portray District 12 tribute Maysilee Donner. Jesse Plemons, Kelvin Harrison Jr., and Karate Kid: Legends star Ben Wang have also joined the cast as Plutarch Heavensbee, Beetee Latier, and District 12 tribute Wyatt Callow, respectively. Glenn Close has signed on to play Drusilla Sickle, the cruel escort to the tributes of District 12, while Billy Porter has been cast as her estranged husband Magno Stift, who serves as the contestants' uninspired designer. Kieran Culkin is set to appear in the movie as Caesar Flickerman - the character first played by Stanley Tucci in the original Hunger Games films - and Elle Fanning has signed on to play Effie Trinket, previously portrayed by Elizabeth Banks. Rounding out the ensemble is Ralph Fiennes, who will step into the role of President Coriolanus Snow, previously played by the late Donald Sutherland in the original movies and by Tom Blyth in the 2023 prequel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is based on Suzanne Collins' 2025 novel of the same name, and serves as the second instalment in her Hunger Games prequel trilogy. Taking place 24 years before the events of The Hunger Games, the story follows 16-year-old Haymitch Abernathy as he is forced to compete in the ruthless 50th Hunger Games, where the number of tributes - and the bloodshed - is doubled. As Haymitch struggles to stay alive, he begins to uncover the Capitol's darkest secrets and learns the devastating cost of rebellion. The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping - which is slated to hit cinemas on November 20, 2026 - is being directed by Francis Lawrence, who will be working from a script written by Billy Ray. The movie is being produced by Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson of Color Force, with Cameron MacConomy serving as executive producer. Following the announcement that Zada and Peak would lead The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Co-President Erin Westerman said: 'The Hunger Games franchise has long been a launching pad for remarkable young actors, and Jo and Whitney carry that legacy forward with incredible heart, depth, and fire. 'After auditioning hundreds of gifted performers from around the world, these two stood out - not just for their talent, but for the emotional truth they brought to these iconic roles. 'Haymitch has always been a fan favourite, and his origin story is one of the most anticipated in the franchise. His relationship with Lenore Dove is deeply woven into the emotional history of Panem. 'We can't wait for fans to experience the story that shaped one of the most compelling characters in the series.'
CBS News
14-07-2025
- Automotive
- CBS News
New Diverging Diamond Interchange to open in Westmoreland County
Starting Tuesday morning around 6 a.m., where Interstate 70 and Route 51 meet in Rostraver Township, a new traffic pattern, a Diverging Diamond Interchange, will emerge. PennDOT is asking drivers to have a little patience and to plan their trips accordingly in and around the interchange, and they are asking people to slow down and stay alert. "What's going to happen tomorrow is we are going to split it. We have had traffic on both sides of the road, we are going to split it," said Dominec Caruso, the assistant construction engineer for PennDOT's District 12. "It is still going to maintain a single lane configuration that is going to put traffic on both outside edges and allow us to finish the median portion of the road. And tomorrow, we will also utilize all of the ramp. So, we will now be going into the Diverging Diamond situation where you are going to cross traffic into the opposing lanes to facilitate those movements." The Diverging Diamond Interchange, or DDI, may sound complicated, but PennDOT is trying to alleviate drivers' concerns, adding that it is meant to move traffic more efficiently compared to the old clover-style interchange. "The DDI design permits smoother traffic flow on and off of I-70 by moving Route 51 traffic to opposite sides of the interchange, and traffic can directly access the entrance ramps without stopping at signals," according to a PennDOT traffic video. This style of interchange has become popular both nationally and locally, with the first DDI in the state being created in Washington County a few years ago. PennDOT says that DDI is not only a more efficient traffic pattern, but it can also be safer. "When you switch the traffic onto the left side of the road, it eliminates conflict points with the opposing traffic by up to 50%," Caruso said. "Minimizing those left turns, across traffic, reduces the number of accidents you can have, and it also reduces the severity of the accident you can have. You can have, typically, no longer head-on collisions or T-boning situations." This new interchange and traffic pattern is only part of an ongoing construction project. Construction in this area is slated to wrap up sometime in the fall of 2026.
Metro
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Gripping prequel soars up Netflix charts as fans declare it 'best in franchise'
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes has just dropped on Netflix, and fans are already calling it the 'best film in the franchise'. It's proving so popular, in fact, that following its Netflix debut this week, it's climbed into the top 10. Released in November 2023, the action/adventure movie is based on the 2020 novel of the same name, serving as a prequel to 2012's hugely successful The Hunger Games, which starred Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson. Set decades before the iconic Mockingjay era, this dark and dazzling prequel tells the origin story of a young Coriolanus Snow—the man who would later become Panem's most feared president. Long before he wore white suits and ordered rebel bombings, Snow was just another ambitious teenager clawing his way out of poverty and into power. He's played by Tom Blyth with an unnerving mix of charm, desperation, and icy control, making the fall from grace feel both inevitable and hard to watch. Opposite him is Rachel Zegler as Lucy Gray Baird, a District 12 tribute with a voice that hypnotises and a will to survive that rivals Katniss', though she's anything but a carbon copy. Lucy Gray is no rebel, and Zegler cleverly brings her to life with her electric performance. From her haunting ballads to her quiet tricks, she commands every scene she's in—and fans can't stop talking about her. 'I like how they made another strong female character without having to resort to Katniss' clone who fights good,' @nogoodpho wrote on Reddit. Add in a show-stopping performance from Jason Schwartzman as Lucky Flickerman and Viola Davis as the terrifying Dr. Gaul, and you've got a film that's part dystopia, part musical, and 100% watch-worthy. When it hit cinemas in late 2023, Songbirds and Snakes received mixed reviews—some critics loved its ambition, while others were put off by its slow burn and darker tone. It did, however, gross $349million (£255.6m) off its $100m (£73.2m) budget. And now that it's streaming, audiences are giving it—and its 64% Rotten Tomatoes score—a second look, and this time, they're hooked. Social media is buzzing with praise, fan theories, and 'I told you so' posts from people who always believed the prequel would be a game-changer. @nolanpflan wrote: 'In my opinion this hands down the best movie in the Hunger Games franchise.' 'I was gripped the entire runtime and never felt an ounce of boredom. I just wish they went the extra mile and went a full three hours for the sake of the last act, but I'm still very pleased.I truly think this is leagues above the other four Hunger Games films,' @tacomasters added. Another viewer, @karpaensi, praised the release: 'You know it's a good movie when it haunts you. I watched it and I've been thinking about it all day.' And they're not wrong. Unlike the later films in the original series, which leaned heavily into politics and revolution, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes—which features the song Can't Catch Me Now from Glastonbury headliner Olivia Rodrigo—keeps the focus on the arena and the twisted beginnings of the spectacle we came to know. It's brutal, raw, and unflinching in its depiction of how easily human suffering can be turned into entertainment—and how fast a desperate boy can become a monster. Director Francis Lawrence, who helmed Catching Fire (2013) and both Mockingjay (part 1 in 2013 and part 2 in 2015) films, returns with a sharper eye, creating a world that's more grimy than glossy—and all the better for it. This is Panem at its most fragile and dangerous, and the Capitol isn't the polished powerhouse we're used to—it's the definition of chaos, and it is just starting to realise how powerful fear can be. More Trending Without giving too much away, it pulls the rug out from under you, then pulls it once again, just when you think you're back on your feet. Everyone has a different theory, and that's all part of the magic. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is streaming now on Netflix. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Andrew Lloyd Webber shares safety fears over Rachel Zegler's Evita stunt MORE: Rachel Zegler's Evita faces backlash over trigger warnings – but critics miss the point MORE: Evita fans give verdict on Rachel Zegler's controversial balcony performance
