Latest news with #Mockingjay
Express Tribune
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Everdeen, everlasting
My first and only vacation abroad with my parents was special, and I was determined to round off the memorable trip by getting matching souvenirs for my friends back home. Little Me knew it had to be something related to the books the five of us had read, given that this was a time when Young Adult (YA) fiction was all anyone talked about. Only problem was, I wasn't big on Harry Potter like the rest of them. That's how I ended up purchasing four Deathly Hallows necklaces and a single Mockingjay one. Because, hey, we've all got to live up to the main-character dream at some point in our lives (no offence to the school buddies reading this; the gifts were still just as heartfelt). The Mockingjay pendant proved to be a worthwhile investment because next year, over a decade later, it accompanies me to the theatre for The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. Expectations for the Haymitch Abernathy prequel have risen to an all-time high, and one can credit the cast announcements for that. It's not everyday that you see the cast for a film adaptation meet the fans' standards. But between book-accurate features and striking resemblances, Sunrise on the Reaping continues to impress. It's as if we can watch the film unfold while it's still in production. I mean, Kieran Culkin taking over Stanley Tucci's legacy? Name a better pick. Of course, there are always exceptions, but this isn't the first time The Hunger Games franchise has hit the mark with its cast. The previous batch belonged to the President Snow prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, which stunned audiences by bringing Tom Blyth onboard as Donald Sutherland's young counterpart among other top-tier casting choices. And while the crews for each feature deserve every bit of the praise they rack up, it's hard to imagine a world where The Hunger Games films would be able generate this much fanfare without the enduring glory of the books. Dystopian yardstick The original Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins became a worldwide sensation during the 2010s, leading the way for YA dystopian novels that tailed the genre's success. The most prominent example that comes to mind is Divergent and its subsequent novels, which set up a world divided into five factions - like the 12 districts from The Hunger Games. In similar fashion as the latter, Divergent, too, has a young female protagonist, Tris, who finds herself in the centre of a budding revolution. The amount of similarities might have you squinting to find the differences between the universes, and that's true not just for Divergent but for the many novel series published after The Hunger Games. This is not an attempt to incite plagiarism debates, but to understand Collins' cultural impact and the formula it inspired. A teenage huntress entangled in an uprising much larger than her unsophisticated existence (and possibly, simultaneously a love triangle) because she is the chosen one destined to lead the people. How many stories come to mind? Except, the thing about Katniss Everdeen is that she's neither the ideal pick for the 'chosen one' archetype, nor is she qualified to lead anyone. Katniss is not a warrior but an underprivileged girl who is forced to match pace with her circumstances. She earns no medals because nobody wins in a war. Because even if you make it out of the arena alive, the Games never truly leave you. What Katniss represents Katniss is not, as the kids say, a girlboss. That's what drew Little Me and like-minded readers to her more than traditional heroes. She never sets out to be one. She doesn't aspire for greatness. She just wants to be left alone, safe and sound. But grief propels her actions, leading her to spark a blood-soaked revolution. She is a symbol by condition, not by choice. In a meta extension, the Girl on Fire also unintentionally shaped what readers now seek in female protagonists, just as in the books she's reluctantly coaxed into becoming the Mockingjay despite being just a kid reacting to life-or-death stakes. Even after all these years, as critics pick apart other franchises for relying on ambience over coherent plots, Katniss's flame still burns. Thanks to the position she's assigned in the story, she becomes a gateway for a deeper exploration of characters she inspired, even those she came in conflict with, allowing the author to effectively revisit the gruesome world of death trials. Coriolanus Snow's side of the story would not have seen the light of day, a decade after Mockingjay, were it not for the impact his nemesis had on the world. Here, too, Katniss went unknowingly meta by sparking a revolution of sorts, one motivated entirely by grief and no larger purpose. The impact of many other protagonists, who tried to emulate Katniss' charm, didn't land because this archer didn't set out to be charming. Or a standout. Because the real world is home to many Katniss Everdeens. Real-world implications Maturing with The Hunger Games is effective in making one realise that the dystopia we read about isn't situated too far into the future - that is, if it's not already here. In a world infused with humanitarian issues, growing up upset at endless conflict is still a privileged position to be in compared to what someone else your age might be going through. The world raises Katniss Everdeens, individuals who are morally compelled to take a stand if they desire safety, but it also has Coriolanus Snows, opportunists who have seen hardship only to chain it down with an unrelenting power-grab. The world also births Haymitch Abernathys, who pay a lifelong price for stepping out of line in hopes of putting an end to prejudice. While at the same time, it nurtures politically distant yet somehow well-meaning souls like Effie Trinket, who rectify their ways the older they get. That's why The Hunger Games has secured a mural in literary history. Because it's not merely a cautionary tale, but a community-focused narrative; not a story of one, but a story of many — prisoners of war, martyrs, dead-weight expendables, and people who are tragically buried in statistics. It is a story of people who fight the good fight versus people who don't. People who exploit their odds to reign on top versus people who don't. It's a cycle of heroes, villains, and everyone caught in between. It's a tale of unceasing collateral damage. And just as the arena of the Games doesn't let you escape once you're inside, The Hunger Games has seeped into every crevice of culture and conflict to the point that it has become difficult to ignore. And it will stay relevant as long as the flames of resistance burn, as long as the odds are ever in favour of change.
Grazia USA
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Grazia USA
Elle Fanning, Maya Hawke, Kieran Culkin, and More Join 'The Hunger Games' Prequel Cast
Actor Jennifer Lawrence on the set of the film 'The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part II', Berlin, Germany, 2013. {Photo by} Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping dropped in March of this year, revisiting the dystopian world of the beloved original series. The book follows the fan-favourite Haymitch Abernathy (portrayed by Woody Harrelson in the original film trilogy) as he competes in the 50th Hunger Games—24 years before he mentors Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark in their games. This is also the second quarter quell, where double the usual number of tributes compete. The film adaptation is set to hit theatres in November of 2026, with the announcement coming as no surprise following the success of the previous films. As expected, fans have been eagerly awaiting casting and were rewarded with the first announcement on the 23rd of April this year, with the two leading roles announced. Following this, Lionsgate has been revealing the rest of the cast over the last month. Read on for all we know. Joseph Zada as Haymitch Abernathy Joseph Zada / Image: @primevideo Joseph Zada will be playing Haymitch Abernathy—a tribute from District 12 who competes in the 50th annual Hunger Games. In terms of securing the iconic role, according to the casting directors, '[Zada] prepared like crazy and stole our hearts.' Woody Harrelson on the set of the film, 'The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part I', Atlanta, USA, 2013. {Photo by} The 20-year-old Australian actor has previously starred in the Stan original series Invisible Boys , as well as the upcoming We Were Liars , and East of Eden series. With the latter two also being book adaptations— We Were Liars, a young-adult bestseller, and East of Eden, a John Steinbeck classic that he will star in alongside Florence Pugh and Mike Faist. Whitney Peak as Lenore Dove Baird Whitney Peak attends the Opening Season Ballet Gala At Palais Garnier, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julien M. Hekimian/Getty Images) Whitney Peak will portray Lenore Dove Baird—Haymitch's girlfriend and a fellow District 12 resident. Producer Nina Jacobson told Variety that casting Peak was 'one of those magical casting moments when you know your search has led you home.' Peak is best known for her role as Zoya Lott in the 2021 Gossip Girl reboot, but has also starred in Hocus Pocus 2 and the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina series. The actress was also appointed a Chanel brand ambassador in 2021 and became the first Black woman to be the face of the Coco Mademoiselle fragrance in 2023. Ralph Fiennes as President Snow Ralph Fiennes attends the 2025 National Board of Review Gala, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by) Ralph Fiennes will be portraying the abhorred dictator of Panem, President Snow. Tom Blyth took on the role for Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes , while the late Donald Sutherland was the first to portray Snow in the original series. Donald Sutherland on the set of the film, 'The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part I', Paris, France, 2013. {Photo by} The Oscar-nominated actor is best known for works such as Schindler's List , The English Patient , and recently Conclave. As well as Maid in Manhattan, The Menu, and of course, for playing another iconic villain, Voldemort, in the Harry Potter franchise. Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket Elle Fanning attends the 2025 Golden Globe Awards, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Taylor Hill/FilmMagic) Elle Fanning will be taking on the role of Effie Trinket, who helps her sister with styling duties for the District 12 tributes. Originally played by Elizabeth Banks, the character becomes a stylist in her own right by the time we see her as an adult in The Hunger Games. Elizabeth Banks (L) and Jennifer Lawrence (R) on the set of the film 'The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part I', Paris, France, 2013. {Photo by} Most recently, Fanning has starred in the period dramedy series The Great, as well as the Oscar-nominated film A Complete Unknown alongside Timothée Chalamet. Previously, she has also appeared in Maleficent , The Curious Case of Benjamin Button , and Super 8 . Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman Kieran Culkin at the 31st Screen Actors Guild Awards, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty Images) Kieran Culkin will portray the eccentric TV host Caesar Flickerman, a role previously taken on by Stanley Tucci. 'Stanley Tucci made Caesar unforgettable—and now Kieran will make the role entirely his own,' is what Lionsgate co-president Erin Westerman had to say on the casting. The actor is best known for his Emmy Award-winning role as Roman Roy in the TV series Succession . More recently, he also won an Academy Award for his work in A Real Pain . Other appearances have included those in Home Alone , Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, and She's All That . Mckenna Grace as Maysilee Donner Mckenna Grace attends the 'Cazafantasmas: El Imperio Helado' photocall at Mandarín Oriental Ritz Hotel on March 18, 2024 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by) Mckenna Grace will play Maysilee Donner, who is one of the two female tributes from District 12. The actress is no newcomer, having entered the acting profession at a young age, and has starred in countless roles in titles such as, I, Tonya , Captain Marvel , Ghostbusters: Afterlife, The Vampire Diaries , Once Upon a Time , The Haunting of Hill House , The Handmaid's Tale , and many more. Her upcoming projects include Scream 7 and Freddy's 2 . Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee Jesse Plemons attends the Los Angeles premiere of A24's 'Civil War', 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Aliah Anderson/FilmMagic ) Jesse Plemons will play a young Plutarch Heavensbee. Previously portrayed by Phillip Seymour Hoffman, the character eventually becomes a gamemaker; however, in this earlier setting, he is a cameraperson who becomes involved in Haymitch's life. Plemons' breakout role was in Friday Night Lights , and ever since, he has starred in films such as The Irishman, Judas and the Black Messiah, Killers of the Flower Moon, and The Power of the Dog. He has also starred in some incredible shows, including Breaking Bad and Fargo . Off-screen, the actor is married to Kristen Dunst, with whom he shares two children. Maya Hawke as Wiress Maya Hawke attends the 2023 Time100 Next at Second on October 24, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Taylor Hill/FilmMagic) Maya Hawke will be portraying the winner of the 49th Hunger Games—Wiress—who returns to mentor the tributes for the 50th. She was portrayed by Amanda Plummer in the original trilogy. Hawke is most known for her breakout Stranger Things role, and has since starred in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Do Revenge, and as the voice of Anxiety in Inside Out 2 . Outside of her acting, Hawke is known for being the daughter of stars Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke. Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Beetee Kelvin Harrison Jr. at the 15th Annual AAFCA Awards, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Tommaso Boddi/Variety via Getty Images) Kelvin Harrison Jr. plays the familiar Beetee—winner of the 34th Hunger Games—whose son is competing in the 50th. The role was portrayed by Jeffrey Wright in both Catching Fire and Mockingjay . The actor is best known for his roles in The Trial of the Chicago 7 , Godfather of Harlem, Elvis, and most recently for voicing Taka in Mufasa: The Lion King. Lili Taylor as Mags Flanagan Lili Taylor attends the AITAF 10th Anniversary Celebration, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by) Lili Taylor will be playing District 4's Mags Flanagan—winner of the 11th Hunger Games and mentor in the 50th. Lynn Cohen previously portrayed the role in Catching Fire . Taylor is known for 80s film classics such as Mystic Pizza , as well as later roles in Rudy, High Fidelity , and The Conjuring. She has also starred in multiple series such as Marvel's Daredevil: Born Again and Outer Range . Taylor has also ventured into the world of writing, with her book Turning to Birds: The Power and Beauty of Noticing. topics: The Hunger Games, sunrise on the reaping, joseph zada, whitney peak, Ralph Fiennes, Kieran Culkin, Elle Fanning, mckenna grace, jesse plemons, Maya Hawke, kalvin harrison jr, lili taylor, Woody Harrelson, catching fire, mockingjay, celebrity, celebrity news, Film News, film, movies, Film + TV
See - Sada Elbalad
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- See - Sada Elbalad
Jesse Plemons to Star as Plutarch Heavensbee in "The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping"
Yara Sameh Jesse Plemons has joined the cast of 'The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping' as a young version of Plutarch Heavensbee. Plutarch was portrayed by Philip Seymour Hoffman in the original films 'Catching Fire' and 'Mockingjay' Parts 1 and 2. Hoffman died in 2014 after filming the majority of his scenes for the 'Mockingjay' films, with only a week of shooting remaining. Director Francis Lawrence did not use any CGI technology to replicate the actor's performance, instead choosing to rewrite scenes and give Hoffman's dialogue to other actors. 'He was one of the greatest actors, I think, of all time and I just think to try to fake a Philip Seymour Hoffman performance would have been catastrophic and I would never want to do that,' Lawrence said at the time. 'I just think this was the best way to be able to get around such a horrible thing.' Plemons and Hoffman previously worked together on Paul Thomas Anderson's 2012 film 'The Master,' with Plemons portraying Hoffman's son. An Oscar nominee for his performance in 'The Power of the Dog,' Plemons most recently appeared in Netflix's 'Black Mirror' episode 'USS Callister: Into Infinity.' Other notable credits include 'Friday Night Lights,' 'Killers of the Flower Moon,' 'Kinds of Kindness' and 'Zero Day.' The acclaimed actor is next set to star in an untitled film from director Alejandro G. Iñárritu and in Yorgos Lanthimos' 'Bugonia' alongside Emma Stone. Erin Westerman, co-president of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, said, 'Jesse is one of the most talented actors of his generation, with a proven record of picking his roles selectively. We are honored that he has chosen to bring his own take to one of the most fascinating figures in Panem and feel that his previous collaboration with Philip Seymour Hoffman makes it all the more special. His Plutarch will be both a tribute to the character fans have already come to know and a portrayal he makes his own. We can't wait for audiences to see it.' The new 'Hunger Games' movie, set to begin shooting this July, is directed by Lawrence, who has helmed every installment of the franchise since 2012's 'Catching Fire.' Billy Ray, who co-wrote the original 'Hunger Games' has been tapped to write the screenplay. Color Force's Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson will produce. Cameron MacConomy will executive produce. 'Sunrise on the Reaping' opens with the young Plutarch Heavensbee in District 12, capturing the reaping of the Tributes there. Published on March 18, the novel revisits the world of Panem 24 years before the events of 'The Hunger Games,' starting on the morning of the reaping of the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell. Jacobson added, 'Jesse has been one of my favorite actors since I first saw him in 'Friday Night Lights.' We knew from the start that only an actor's actor could play a young version of Plutarch. Jesse was the dream from the start and we couldn't be prouder to have him join the 'Hunger Games' family.' 'Sunrise on the Reaping' sold 1.5 million copies in its first week on sale in the U.S., U.K., Ireland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The 1.2 million copies sold in the U.S. are twice the first week sales of 'The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes' and three times the first week sales of 'Mockingjay.' Meredith Wieck and Scott O'Brien are overseeing the project for Lionsgate. Phil Strina negotiated the deal for the studio. 'Sunrise on the Reaping' is set to be released in theaters on November 20, 2026. read more New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6 Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival Arts & Culture Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos Arts & Culture "The Flash" to End with Season 9 Arts & Culture Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival Arts & Culture Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha News Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia Lifestyle Pistachio and Raspberry Cheesecake Domes Recipe News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Arts & Culture Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized Videos & Features Bouchra Dahlab Crowned Miss Arab World 2025 .. Reem Ganzoury Wins Miss Arab Africa Title (VIDEO) Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
Jesse Plemons is Plutarch Heavensbee in 'The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping'
Jesse Plemons volunteers as tribute. The actor has been cast to play Plutarch Heavensbee in the upcoming film " The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping." It's the movie adaptation of the new "Hunger Games" prequel novel by Suzanne Collins, which was released March 18. The character Plutarch previously appeared in "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" and the two "Mockingjay" films as Head Gamemaker of The Hunger Games and also as a leader of the rebellion. He was played by the late Philip Seymour Hoffman in those films, the last "Mockingjay" film being Hoffman's final film role. Plemons and Hoffman worked together on the 2012 film "The Master," where Plemons played Hoffman's son. In the novel "The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping," a young Plutarch serves as a cameraman who captures the reaping of the tributes in District 12. Filming for 'Sunrise on the Reaping' to begin in July The new prequel film will begin filming in July. Francis Lawrence will direct the movie, which revisits the world of Panem 24 years before the events of the original "Hunger Games" story. Plemons joins the previously announced cast of Joseph Zada, Whitney Peak and Mckenna Grace. "The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping" will release in theaters Nov. 20, 2026.
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Hunger Games' Josh Hutcherson Would 'Happily Play Peeta Again,' But He Has One Stipulation That Makes A Lot Of Sense
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. The story of Katniss and Peeta may have ended in the Hunger Games movies, but that doesn't necessarily mean the tale is over. I mean, audiences loved the prequel film The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, and we know Sunrise on the Reaping has been a highly anticipated story. So, there's clearly a hunger for the universe to expand. Now, Josh Hutcherson has been asked if he'd be willing to play Peeta again. While he'll happily do it, he does have one understandable stipulation. The last time we saw Peeta at the end of Mockingjay, he and Katniss settled down as a married couple with two kids. While the two will always have traumatizing memories of their times competing in The Games and fighting against The Capitol, it looked like the Victors finally found peace. However, The Hunger Games franchise is still alive and well, with prequel books and films presenting the backstories for President Snow and Haymitch. So, maybe it's possible to return to Katniss's story. To that point, Josh Hutcherson was asked if he'd ever reprise his Hunger Games character. In response, he said in an FR Conventions TikTok: I would happily play Peeta again. The story is incredible. The Hunger Games was incredible. I think Peeta's an incredible person to get to bring to life. I'm curious to know what happens between when they have their family and when the story ends, just to understand what happened in the world, how they got to that place. But I'm down. If you can talk to Suzanne Collins and tell her to write a book, I'm in. Sign me up. I can understand Josh Hutcherson wanting to wait until Suzanne Collins possibly writes a Katniss and Peeta continuation before agreeing to reprise the baker on camera. After all, the announcement of the Sunrise on the Reaping novel was followed by its film adaptation news. So, it's definitely best to let the author who brought the characters to life in the first place be the one to further Katniss and Peeta's tale. When Josh Hutcherson's time playing Peeta was over, he admitted to having 'mixed feelings' about saying goodbye to the cast, crew, and character he developed for years. However, he felt good about moving on to other projects. At the same time, though, it doesn't mean the idea of returning to Panem as Peeta doesn't thrill the talented actor. Josh Hutcherson's idea of seeing Peeta and Katniss living together between the events of Mockingjay and the final epilogue scene would be a great continuation. I'd like to see Katniss and Peeta adjust to life post-Hunger Games and what led them to decide to have children. The Bridge to Terabithia actor and the cast also had an idea back in 2020 to show a story ten years after the events of Mockingjay, where history repeats itself, and a new rebellion is formed. While that would bring in a new generation of Tributes and we could possibly see Katniss and Peeta as mentors, maybe we should just let Panem stay peaceful. One idea TikTok users commented on in the video was for Josh Hutcherson, Jennifer Lawrence, and Woody Harrelson to cameo in an epilogue for Sunrise on the Reaping. I would love to see that! Maybe we can see Haymitch in a good place with Katniss, Peeta, and their children to show that he was able to eventually achieve 'the life of a Victor,' as Effie puts it. However, if Hutcherson returns, that would, of course, mean doing one thing he hated the most while playing Peeta—bleaching his hair! Well, if the former child actor went bleach blonde later for The Beekeeper, I'd like to think he'd do it again for Hunger Games. Let's hope Suzanne Collins gets to writing a prequel/sequel book for Katniss and Peeta, so Josh Hutcherson can 'happily' play Peeta again. He was so lovable as the District 12 victor, and I'd be curious to see how his character has been recovering since The Games were declared over.
