Latest news with #Panem
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
$200m blockbuster's mega cast stuns world
Sunrise on the Reaping, set 24 years before the events of the first film, had already generated buzz well before its huge casting news, largely fuelled by the popular theory that Suzanne Collins penned the new novel as a tongue-in-cheek punishment for fans who had been sharing President Snow thirst traps across social media. Picture: Instagram If you haven't read the book, Maysilee might be a fresh name, but she's a character you're bound to fall for fast. Picture: Instagram 'HELP, why is he hot?!' was just one of the many buzzing reactions flooding social media when Kelvin Harrison Jr. was announced as Wiress's partner in crime, the brilliant Beetee Latier. Known for his sharp intellect and quiet intensity in roles like Luce and The Queen's Gambit, Harrison Jr. is an inspired choice to bring to life the tech genius who famously rigs a deadly potato trap. Spoiler alert. I can't help but wonder, is this round two of Hunger Games thirst traps? And if so, will Suzanne Collins 'punish' us again with another amazing book? He's expected to earn between $500,000 and $1 million for the role. Picture: Supplied Beetee was originally played by Jeffrey Wright, who is just an Oscar away from an EGOT, having been nominated as Best Actor in the 2023 Academy Awards for American Fiction. Picture: Supplied Newcomers Louella McCoy (L) and Lou Lou (R) have me absolutely terrified - they're so tiny! Fans were quick to point out that Molly McCann bears a striking resemblance to a young Katniss, and if you know, you know. What a sweetheart (cue the tears). And then there was Iona Bell's reveal minutes after Louella's. Fans joked it was as swift as the Capitol was to replace her. Absolutely SCREAMING. Picture: Instagram Wyatt Callow was definitely not what I was expecting! Picture: Instagram Ben Wang first broke out in 2023 with Disney's American Born Chinese, and he's recently been cast as the lead in Karate Kid: Legends. Beyond that, there's not much known about this rising star, except that he's stepping into the role of my favourite oddball from the reaping that I never expected to root for. Picture: Supplied 'That's kinda crazy and cool that she looks like Rachel.' Picture: Supplied Fans will know that Lenore Dove Baird, who will be portrayed by Gossip Girl reboot star Whitney Peak, isn't exactly the Covey you should get attached to, but that won't stop us. Picture: Instagram With whispers linking her to her possible niece, Lucy Gray, I'm fully prepared to catch every haunting similarity, and to have my heart shattered all over again in the process. Picture: Supplied 'Please, why did this actually scare me.' The most unhinged and best reveal so far might just be the latest one, with the marketing team pulling a fast one on fans who were so deep in the world of Panem they momentarily forgot they hadn't actually been reaped. If it weren't limited to the US, I'd volunteer as tribute. Picture: Instagram We are absolutely sat waiting to see who the next A-lister reveal will be. Picture: Facebook
Daily Mirror
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Hunger Games prequel launches open casting call - but there's one catch
If you've ever dreamed of fighting your way through The Hunger Games, now's your chance to join Lionsgate's open casting call - except there's one detail that's left some fans disappointed Have you ever dreamed of entering the fictional world of Panem? Lionsgate Studios put out an open casting call for Hunger Games fans to become the latest addition to the hotly anticipated Sunrise on the Reaping - and let's just say, the auditions have been interesting. On X, the studio wrote: 'Your turn. This is an official casting call: one lucky fan will be selected for a role in Sunrise on the Reaping. To audition, show us your best: act out a scene, perform a song, or surprise us with something completely new. All talents welcome. No previous experience necessary.' As the latest addition to the Hunger Games franchise by Suzanne Collins, Sunrise on the Reaping is a prequel centred on the fan favourite character mentor Haymitch, and is set to be made into a major motion picture in 2026. The star-studded cast already includes household names like Elle Fanning and Oscar-nominated Kieran Culkin. Lionsgate have stated that judging for the auditions will begin 'on or around June 7', and will factor in three key criteria: 25% acting ability, 25% charisma and 50% thematic relevance. As well as the possibility to appear on-screen, the prize includes an on-set visit with a guest. Now, all over TikTok, users have been throwing their best effort to make it big. And judging by the auditions, it appears there are three particular phrases that Hunger Games fans took to heart: all talents welcome, no previous experience necessary, and 'surprise us'. One of the most viral auditions so far was made by hopeful starlet @jwalkerbooks. In an explosive (literally) audition, she emerged from a fridge door to the visual effect of flames, holding none other than a bottle of milk. 'My audition for SOTR (as President Snow's milk),' she wrote. In the caption, she added: 'I can be 2%, 1%, whole whatever you need.' One commenter attempted to rename the franchise's famous catchphrase, 'Fire is catching? No. Milk is spilling.' It's not the only food item that fans have been eager to play. Another fan auditioned to become 'one of the google eggs Katniss brings Haymitch', by appearing next to a bowl of eggs in her kitchen. In fairness, some auditions have displayed real talent. User @simplystephjaye showed off skills Peeta himself would be envious of after auditioning 'for a tribute who uses camouflage to hide in the hunger games'. She then proceeded to film herself standing against a wall covered in wallpaper. Some strong acting and script-writing skills have been displayed too. TikTokker @oyesebastien caught the world 's attention after auditioning to be a District One tribute (aka one of the antagonists). Strolling in front of the camera, he proceeded to let out a menacing growl, before saying his now-famous line, 'What was your name again? Haymitch? More like, hey b---h!' Of course, the standard of the auditions have left many doubtful whether Lionsgate could actually hire one of the many hopefuls. Regardless, some TikTok comments have been pointing out that it is pretty clever marketing, with many of the auditions gaining millions of views. Unfortunately, not all fans are happy with the casting call. According to the official rules of the competition only legal residents from one of the 50 US states can compete. Which has left non-American fans with dreams of hitting the big screen a little deflated. Dutch influencer posted an audition 'from district 12 (Europe)', in spite of the rules. Other commenters were quick to commiserate. 'crying from Australia,' one wrote. 'We're district 13, they've forgotten our existence,' another added.
Geek Feed
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Feed
Hunger Games Prequel Has Cast Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes had introduced Hunger Games audiences to Lucky Flickerman (Jason Shcwartzman), the first host of the Hunger Games, but Sunrise on the Reaping will bring in the host from Katniss' days, Caesar Flickerman. Just in, they've announced that the role of Flickerman is going to be played by none other than Succession 's Kieran Culkin. Here's the official announcement: Caesar Flickerman. The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping – in theaters November 20, 2026. — The Hunger Games (@TheHungerGames) May 21, 2025 Originally, the part of Caesar was played by Stanley Tucci, and the host of the Hunger Games in Ballad was supposed to be Caesar's ancestor. By the time of Katniss' Everdeen's games though, Caesar had already been hosting the games for 40 years, so it would make sense that he would appear in Sunrise of the Reaping. Besides Elle Fanning getting cast as Effie, a lot of people also think that Kieran Culkin is an amazing choice for Flickerman. Admittedly, Tucci's take has a more detached show host feel to the character, but maybe Culkin's younger Flickerman could be more energetic and chaotic when it comes to his interviews with the tributes. No doubt he may also have some sharp commentary on how the games would play out. If anything, it's going to be interesting just how colorfully they're going to dress him up as a young Caesar. By the time he's Stanley Tucci, Caesar already looks like he's done everything to appear as young as he possibly could. The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is set to come out in theaters on Nov. 20, 2026.
The South African
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The South African
Ralph Fiennes to play President Snow in 'Sunrise on the Reaping'
Award-winning actor Ralph Fiennes is set to bring his chilling talents to the world of Panem. Fiennes will play President Coriolanus Snow in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping . The film, adapted from Suzanne Collins's latest novel, promises a thrilling dive into the history of the Hunger Games. Fiennes steps into the shoes of the late Donald Sutherland, who masterfully portrayed the tyrannical leader in the original Hunger Games series. Tom Blyth previously played a younger Snow in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes , according to Breaking News. Fiennes, at 62, is perfectly aged to depict Snow during the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell. 'We wanted to honour Donald Sutherland by having one of this generation's greatest actors play President Snow. This is 24 years before Katniss Everdeen entered the arena,' said producer Nina Jacobson. She also added, 'Working with Ralph has been on my bucket list since he traumatised me for life in Schindler's List . It's genuinely a thrill to welcome him to the Hunger Games.' Sunrise on the Reaping centres on Haymitch Abernathy, the District 12 mentor, later known for his alcoholism and cynicism. Haymitch, played by Joseph Zada, finds himself a tribute in the brutal 50th Hunger Games. These games are particularly vicious, featuring double the tributes from each district. Fiennes joins a cast that includes Joseph Zada as Haymitch Abernathy, Whitney Peak as Lenore Dove Baird, and other talented actors like Maya Hawke and Jesse Plemons. Francis Lawrence, who directed Catching Fire and both Mockingjay films, returns to direct. The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping will hit cinemas on 20 November 2026. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kieran Culkin cast as Caesar Flickerman in 'The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.' See who else will appear in the prequel.
Hunger Games fans are staying fed. This week the dystopian film franchise began to announce the cast of the highly anticipated Sunrise on the Reaping, adapted from author Suzanne Collins's just-released novel of the same name. Though the film is set more than two decades before the original Hunger Games trilogy kicks off with Jennifer Lawrence's heroine Katniss, a beloved character is back. Sunrise tells the story of a teenage Haymitch Abernathy, portrayed in the original franchise by Woody Harrelson, as he fights to survive his own Hunger Games — all while refusing to bend the knee to the ruthless Capitol, which this time around placed him and 47 other children in the deadly arena. The movie comes after the 2023 adaptation of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, which starred Tom Blyth as a young will-be President Snow and Rachel Zegler as Lucy Gray Baird, a singer forced to compete in the Hunger Games. The Sunrise on the Reaping novel only hit bookshelves on March 18 — but fans have been itching to see who will star in the film. With the movie already slated to hit theaters on Nov. 20, 2026, here's who we know thus far will appear. Fresh off winning his first Academy Award earlier this year, for his role in A Real Pain, Kieran Culkin will soon take on the role of Caesar Flickerman — the host of the Hunger Games, originally portrayed by Stanley Tucci — in Sunrise on the Reaping. Culkin, brother of Home Alone star Macaulay Culkin and actor Rory Culkin, is known for films like The Cider House Rules, Igby Goes Down and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. He portrayed Roman Roy on HBO's hit series Succession from 2018 to 2023, for which he won an Emmy. In Sunrise on the Reaping, Harrelson's gruff, ornery character is 16 and trying to survive a grueling life in Panem's District 12 when a series of shocking circumstances leads him to be called to the Hunger Games arena. (And on his birthday, no less!) But Haymitch won't go down without a fight, and while we may think we know how Haymitch's story ends, there's a lot to Sunrise on the Reaping that quietly sets up Katniss and company's future ability to take down corrupt President Snow once and for all. If you haven't heard Joseph Zada's name before, you will soon. The 20-year-old Australian actor is set to star in two much anticipated TV adaptations: Netflix's East of Eden, opposite Florence Pugh, and E. Lockhart's We Were Liars, dropping on Prime Video this summer. He also appeared in the Australian series Invisible Boys, which was released earlier this year. Lenore Dove is a member of the Covey, a group of traveling musicians and storytellers — just like Lucy Gray Baird was in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. She's also Haymitch's longtime love. Whitney Peak is best known for her starring role in the Max Gossip Girl revival, as well as The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and Hocus Pocus 2. She also appeared in Sabrina Carpenter's music video of 'Nonsense.' Maysilee Donner is a shopkeeper's daughter who becomes one of District 12's tributes in the supersize version of The Hunger Games alongside Haymitch. In the book it's also revealed that she is the original owner of Katniss's Mockingjay pin — something that is cut from the Hunger Games film franchise. She becomes one of Haymitch's trusted allies in the arena, despite the two getting off on the wrong foot. McKenna Grace is a singer and actress who played a young Tonya Harding in I, Tonya. She appeared in TV roles including The Haunting of Hill House and Designated Survivor before starring in the rebooted Ghostbusters: Afterlife franchise and The Handmaid's Tale, where she was nominated for an Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series Emmy in 2021. She's also slated to star in the upcoming Colleen Hoover adaptation Regretting You. Fans of the original Hunger Games trilogy will recognize Plutarch Heavensbee as the Head Gamemaker for the 75th annual Hunger Games, when Katniss and Josh Hutcherson's Peeta compete for a second time. In Sunrise on the Reaping, Plutarch is a wealthy Capitol-born cameraman working his way up the ladder of the Hunger Games while also secretly conspiring against Snow. Plemons's breakout role came in the television series Friday Night Lights, where he portrayed Landry. Since then the prolific actor has appeared on shows like Breaking Bad, Fargo and Black Mirror. One of Plemons's first major film roles was in 2012's The Master, where he acted alongside Philip Seymour Hoffman, the actor who played an older version of Plutarch in the original film franchise. Since then he has appeared in movies like The Post, The Irishman, The Power of the Dog, Game Night and Killers of the Flower Moon. This year, Plemons returned to Black Mirror for the sequel to the 2017 episode "U.S.S. Callister." Kelvin Harrison Jr. is taking on the role of the brainy Beetee, a survivor of the Hunger Games who first appeared in Catching Fire and was originally portrayed onscreen by Jeffrey Wright. Harrison previously starred as the titular character in the 2019 drama Luce, opposite Naomi Watts and Octavia Spencer and has since appeared in films such as The Trial of the Chicago 7, Cyrano, Elvis and Chevalier, where he starred as French Caribbean musician Joseph Bologne. The actor is no stranger to prequels: He recently voiced Taka, aka young Scar, in Mufasa. Lili Taylor is playing Mags Flanagan, another victor of the Hunger Games tasked with helping Haymitch. The actress is known for films like Mystic Pizza, Short Cuts, The Addiction, Girls Town and I Shot Andy Warhol, for which she received critical acclaim for her role as radical feminist Valerie Solanas. She is slated to appear in Netflix's upcoming Fear Street: Prom Queen. Maya Hawke is set to portray Wiress, an eccentric, tech-skilled Hunger Games victor originally portrayed by Amanda Plummer in Catching Fire. The actress, who is the daughter of Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman, stars on Netflix's Stranger Things and has appeared in films like Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood, Asteroid City and Do Revenge. She is making her off-Broadway debut this month in the play Eurydice. Ben Wang is slated to portray Wyatt, the other male tribute from District 12 who joins Haymitch in the Hunger Games arena. Wang previously starred on the Disney+ series American Born Chinese and can next be seen Karate Kid: Legends, which is out May 30. He also has a role in The Long Walk, a Stephen King adaptation, which is headed to theaters on Sept. 12. Ralph Fiennes will be the third actor to portray President Coriolanus Snow, following in the footsteps of the late Donald Sutherland in the initial Hunger Games trilogy and Tom Blyth in the prequel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. A prolific stage and screen star who has appeared in films like Schindler's List, The English Patient and The Grand Budapest Hotel, Fiennes is no stranger to playing the villain in a popular book-to-screen franchise: He portrayed evil wizard Voldemort in the Harry Potter franchise. Elle Fanning was a fan favorite to play young Capitol stylist Effie Trinket, a role originated by Elizabeth Banks in the original Hunger Games trilogy. Fanning, a onetime child star, made her film debut in I Am Sam, where she portrayed a younger version of her sister Dakota Fanning's character. Since then, the prolific actress has starred in films like Super 8, Maleficent, The Beguiled, A Rainy Day in New York and All the Bright Places. On the TV side, she starred in the historical comedy The Great, as well as the true crime adaptation The Girl from Plainville. English actress Iona Bell joins the cast as Lou Lou, who gets wrapped up in the Hunger Games because of a Capitol scheme that would definitely be a spoiler to reveal. She has previously appeared in the short film Pulp by Rind and has several films in various stages of production, according to her IMDb. Irish actress Molly McCann, who plays District 12 resident Louella, previously appeared in the television series Bad Sisters, as well as The Hardacres, The Holiday and The Vanishing Triangle. This article was originally published on April 25, 2025, and has since been updated.
