Latest news with #SecondQuarterQuell
Buzz Feed
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Why Kieran Culkin Is Perfect As Caesar Flickerman
Tributes! There is a new advancement in the casting for the upcoming prequel, Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping casting — Kieran Culkin has been cast as Caesar Flickerman! This prequel takes viewers back 24 years before the events of the original Hunger Game series, and centres around the 50th Hunger Games — the Second Quarter Quell — where the rules were more cruel and brutal. Flickerman was previously played by the iconic Stanley Tucci. To match that level of sass, wit and energy, casting Culkin was a brilliant choice! Kieran Culkin is having his moment in Hollywood — winning an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in A Real Pain, and playing the unfiltered middle child, Roman Roy in HBO's Succession, which has a cult following. All in all, he is doing very well. We are waiting to see his own spin on this legendary character in one of the greatest franchises ever. Culkin has been cast alongside a star-studded ensemble cast — Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket, Joseph Zada as young Haymitch Abernathy, Ralph Fiennes as young President Snow, Jesse Plemmons as Plutarch Heavensbee, Maya Hawke as Wiress, Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Beetee Latier, Mckenna Grace as Maysilee Donner, Lili Taylor as Mags Flanagan, Molly McCann as Louella McCoy, and Iona Bell as Lou Lou. Behind the cameras, in November 2024, Francis Lawrence, the Hunger Games franchise director signed a first-look producing deal with Lionsgate through his company, about:blank. Francis Lawrence has directed four of the Hunger Game films: Catching Fire, Mockingjay 1 and 2, and The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Those films were absolute bangers, so I can't wait to see what this film holds for us. Speaking about the decision to cast Culkin, the co-president of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, Erin Westerman said: "Kieran's scene-stealing presence and undeniable charm are perfect for Caesar Flickerman, the sickeningly watchable host of Panem's darkest spectacle. Stanley Tucci made Caesar unforgettable — and now Kieran will make the role entirely his own." Furthermore, Producer Nina Jacobson clarified the thought process behind this casting. She stated, "Kieran's magnetism, wit and unpredictability make him a perfect fit for Caesar Flickerman. A host like Caesar transforms brutality into entertainment, and an actor as layered as Kieran makes sure we don't look away." Coming back to the OG Caesar — Stanley Tucci's take on the character was to make him flamboyant, flashy, and uber charming! In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he spoke of his involvement with the character, saying, "I'd like to try teeth. I'd like to try some noses. I want him to have a tan. We have to really make it look like he has plastic surgery." Needless to say, he delivered. Culkin has established himself as an actor with an unpredictable mindset—a blend of sarcastic and dark humour, charming wit, and bursts of vulnerability that consistently draw the viewer's attention. It's this very approach to his craft that will make his portrayal of Caesar eccentric and electric. His co-star and director of the film A Real Pain, Jesse Eisenberg revealed on the Graham Norton Show, that he had cast Kieran for the part, not having watched ANY of his past work, but simply because of his essence. Culkin's naturally chaotic demeanor in interviews and award shows is more than well-documented. Like this wholesome interaction between him and Colman Domingo on Actors on Actors which had fans envious of the contagious energy he possesses. I would say his 'controlled chaotic' mannerisms will challenge the suave and entertaining version of Tucci when playing this character. But since it is the younger version of Flickerman in one of the most brutal hunger games, chaotic is fitting for the mood of Panem. / Via Culkin has talked about his 'free-associative acting style' in the past. He said in an interview with Vulture, " It's written, and I understand the character, and then some shit comes out sometimes; that's it. And I don't force it." And it is this very energy... which is what makes me so excited to see him wear those wigs as Caesar. Kiernan's theatrical and flamboyant movements will bring a whimsical energy to this role... and I'm seated for it. And it is this very energy that excites me to see him wear those wigs. Culkin's theatrical and flamboyant movements will bring a whimsical energy to this I'm seated for it. / Via Naturally, fans are all over this casting and can't get enough of it. I will see you in the theatres on November 20th, 2026.
Express Tribune
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Elle Fanning cast as young Effie Trinket in Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping
Elle Fanning has officially joined the cast of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, taking on the iconic role of Effie Trinket. The Emmy-nominated actress will portray a younger version of the Capitol escort originally made famous by Elizabeth Banks. This upcoming prequel, based on the bestselling novel by Suzanne Collins, explores the 50th Hunger Games—also known as the Second Quarter Quell—24 years before the original series. Effie Trinket. The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping – in theaters November 20, 2026. — The Hunger Games (@TheHungerGames) May 20, 2025 Lionsgate's Motion Picture Group co-president Erin Westerman praised Fanning's casting, saying, 'Elle Fanning's presence is warm, sparkling, and full of depth. She was the undeniable fan favorite to step into Effie's early, formative years.' Joining Fanning in the cast are Joseph Zada as Haymitch Abernathy, Whitney Peak as Lenore Dove Baird, Mckenna Grace as Maysilee Donner, Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee, and Ralph Fiennes as President Snow, among others. Francis Lawrence returns as director, with a script adapted by Billy Ray and production by Color Force's Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson. The film is set to release on November 20, 2026. The source novel has already seen remarkable success, selling 1.5 million copies in its first week globally—more than doubling first-week sales of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Fanning, recently seen in the Oscar-nominated A Complete Unknown, will also appear in Joachim Trier's Sentimental Value and Apple TV+'s Margo's Got Money Troubles.
Pink Villa
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Hunger Games Fans Notice Easter Eggs In Casting Announcements Made By Lionsgate
Lionsgate recently had everyone amused as they announced new names for Sunrise on the Reaping and this is simply intriguing the fans of the age-old franchise, Hunger Games. The diehards of the aforementioned movie series have noticed some big easter eggs in the way the studio has been announcing its cast. To be precise, the first batch of the cast for the upcoming film was announced just last month. Names in this batch included Joseph Zada, who is set to portray the character of the film's lead, Haymitch Abernathy. Other names are Whitney Peak, who will be seen as Lenore Dove Baird, along with McKenna Grace, set to act as Maysilee Donner, and Jesse Plemons, who will be seen in the film as Plutarch Heavensbee. Fans on social media quickly noted that the revelation of the cast members could act as a nod to the amount of tributes reaped from each district for the 50th annual Hunger Games in the book. In case you might not know, Haymitch's Hunger Games, the one that is also known as the Second Quarter Quell, featured twice the amount of normal tributes, with a total of 48. This was in addition to Haymitch and Maysilee, who were District 12's tributes, and included Wyatt Callow, who will be played by Ben Wang, and Louella McCoy. However, they have not been cast yet. In another case, fans of the Hunger Games also believe that the Hunger Games social media accounts took a gap of almost 18 days to have the next group of its cast announced. While these names included Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Beetee, the exact time was approximately the number of days Katniss, who was played by Jennifer Lawrence, and Peeta, a character portrayed by Josh Hutcherson, had waited in the arena in the first book of the Hunger Games. The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping will hit the theaters on November 20, 2026.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ralph Fiennes Cast in Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping
Originally appeared on E! Online The odds are certainly in Ralph Fiennes' favor. The Conclave actor, 62, is the latest to join the star-studded Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping cast, with him set to play President Coriolanus Snow in the adaptation of Suzanne Collins' novel. Of course, Fiennes is the third actor to bring the iconic villain to life with the late Donald Sutherland taking on the role in the original Hunger Games movies and Tom Blyth playing a teenage version of the character in the 2023 prequel The Ballad of Songbird and Snakes. 'We wanted to honor Donald Sutherland by having one of this generation's greatest actors play President Snow," producer Nina Jacobson said in a press release confirming Fiennes' casting, "24 years before Katniss Everdeen entered the arena." The prequel film, set to be released November 20, 2026 and the sixth of the franchise, will follow the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell. The film takes place 40 years after the 2023 prequel and 24 years before the original 2012 Hunger Games film. More from E! Online John Legend, Demi Lovato and More React to Chrissy Teigen's Sobriety Update White Lotus Star Walton Goggins' Wife Breaks Silence on Aimee Lou Wood Romance Rumors Cassie Ventura's Husband Alex Fine Breaks Silence on Sean "Diddy" Combs Trial The plot will center on the story of 16-year-old Haymitch—played by Woody Harrelson in the first five installments and set to be played by Joseph Zada in the latest installation—a Hunger Games victor who mentored characters Katniss and Peeta through their own games in the original book and film. In Sunrise on the Reaping, Haymitch will go through his own unexpected journey of being selected as tribute. Others tapped to join the cast include , , , Maya Hawke, Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Lili Taylor. As Fiennes takes on the role of the ruthless dictator of Panem, he is no stranger to playing chilling roles, as the Academy Award nominee played a Nazi officer over 30 years ago in Schindler's List as well as the legendary role of Lord Voldemort in the final four Harry Potter films. "I've been asked to play a lot of villains and psychopaths," Fiennes said in a clip from CBS News Sunday Morning in October 2024. "I like characters that have contradictions inside of them." For secrets about the Hunger Games franchise, read on... For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
Geek Tyrant
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
Maya Hawke Joins THE HUNGER GAMES: SUNRISE OF THE REAPING as Wiress — GeekTyrant
The next chapter in The Hunger Games saga just got a major boost in star power. Maya Hawke has officially joined the cast of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping , the upcoming film adaptation of Suzanne Collins' latest entry in her blockbuster dystopian franchise. Hawke will play Wiress, a former Hunger Games victor turned mentor from District 12—adding a complex and brainy edge to a character fans already know and love. Hawke steps into a strong ensemble cast that includes Joseph Zada as a young Haymitch Abernathy and Whitney Peak as Lenore Dove Baird. Also on board are Mckenna Grace as Maysilee Donner, Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee, and Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Beetee. The film, set 24 years before Katniss Everdeen volunteered as tribute, takes us back to the infamous 50th Hunger Games—the Second Quarter Quell. This particular chapter introduces us to 16-year-old Haymitch, described as 'a clever and resourceful boy from District 12 who's unexpectedly chosen for this edition of the games, which will feature a deadly twist: twice the number of tributes, with 48 children sent into the arena to battle for their lives.' Francis Lawrence returns to the director's chair, continuing his long-standing relationship with the franchise. The script comes from Billy Ray, with Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson producing. Hawke, best known for her breakout role as Robin in Stranger Things , and her recent work includes voicing Anxiety in Pixar's Inside Out 2 , as well as roles in Maestro , Asteroid City , and Wildcat , directed by her father, Ethan Hawke. Up next, she stars as Lucia Joyce in Aisling Walsh's biopic about the daughter of James Joyce. The film is currently slated to hit theaters on November 20, 2026.
