Latest news with #TheHungerGames:SunriseontheReaping
Perth Now
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Kieran Culkin joining cast of latest ‘Hunger Games' film
Kieran Culkin is joining the cast of the latest 'Hunger Games' film. The actor, 41, has enjoyed a resurgence in fame thanks to his roles in 'Succession' and 'A Real Pain', and is now stepping into the glittering shoes of Caesar Flickerman in the upcoming prequel movie 'The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping'. Its producer Nina Jacobson was quoted by Variety saying: '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.' Kieran takes over the role made famous by Stanley Tucci in the original four-film franchise. Sunrise on the Reaping', based on Suzanne Collins' latest novel, takes place 24 years before the events of the first film and centres on a young Haymitch Abernathy – played in the new adaptation by Joseph Zada – during the 50th Hunger Games, known as the Second Quarter Quell. The film is slated for release on 20 November 2026. Its cast also includes Whitney Peak as Lenore Dove Baird, Mckenna Grace as Maysilee Donner, Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee, Maya Hawke as Wiress, Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Beetee, Lili Taylor as Mags, Ben Wang as Wyatt, Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket and Ralph Fiennes as President Snow. Molly McCann will portray Louella, with Iona Bell as her Capitol-assigned lookalike, Lou Lou. Lionsgate Motion Picture Group co-president Erin Westerman was also quoted Variety saying: '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.' Francis Lawrence returns to direct the film, having helmed every entry in the franchise since 2012's 'Catching Fire'. The screenplay has been adapted by Billy Ray. Jacobson and Brad Simpson will produce under the Color Force banner, with Cameron MacConomy serving as executive producer. Culkin's casting comes during a high point in his career. He won the best supporting actor Oscar earlier this year for his performance in 'A Real Pain', opposite Jesse Eisenberg, and previously took home the lead actor in a drama Emmy for his role as Roman Roy in HBO's 'Succession'. He is currently starring in a sold-out Broadway run of 'Glengarry Glen Ross' alongside Bob Odenkirk and Bill Burr. The original 'Hunger Games' films have grossed more than $3.3 billion worldwide.
Perth Now
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
‘He's a contradiction!' Ben Wangs teases his Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping role
Ben Wang is 'really excited' to play Wyatt Callow in 'The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping'. The 25-year-old actor has been cast as the District 12 Tribute in the upcoming fantasy blockbuster, and has now teased how the character's duality will factor into the movie's story. When asked what aspects of Wyatt he was excited to explore, the 'Karate Kid: Legends' star said: 'Oh, there's so many. What really excited me about that character in the first place [is] he's not what he seems. 'I think that's part of the point of his character. He's seen by his community as one thing, but he's another thing underneath, and he's a contradiction. 'He's a logician, but he's got a really big heart, right? He's supposed to be cold and calculating, but he's actually the person who does the most illogical and selfless thing.' 'The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping' will adapt Suzanne Collins' 2025 novel of the same name, and is the second instalment of the author's 'Hunger Games' prequel trilogy. In the book - which is set 24 years before 'The Hunger Games' on Panem - Wyatt is a Tribute from District 12, and is described as a 'compulsive oddsmaker' with a keen aptitude for arithmetic and observation, skills he leverages to assess fellow tributes and navigate the Games strategically. His analytical nature and reserved demeanour position him as a complex figure whose actions significantly influence the dynamics within the arena. Wang's Wyatt will appear alongside Joseph Zada's Haymitch Abernathy - as previously played by Woody Harrelson in the original 'Hunger Games' movies - while Whitney Peak portrays the protagonist's girlfriend, Lenore Dove Baird. Meanwhile, Maya Hawke will play Wiress - the former Hunger Games champion who now serves as a mentor for those in District 12 - while Mckenna Grace has landed the highly sought-after role of District 12 Tribute Maysilee Donner. Kieran Culkin, Jesse Plemons and Kelvin Harrison Jr. have also signed on to appear in 'The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping', and will play Caesar Flickerman, Plutarch Heavensbee and Beetee, respectively. The most recent actor to be added to the cast of 'The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping' is Ralph Fiennes, who will portray President Coriolanus Snow - the role previously held by the late Donald Sutherland in the original 'Hunger Games' films and Tom Blyth in the 2023 prequel 'The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes'. In a statement, producer Nina Jacobson said: 'We wanted to honour Donald Sutherland by having one of this generation's greatest actors play President Snow 24 years before Katniss Everdeen entered the arena. '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.' 'The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping' - which will be directed by Francis Lawrence - is slated to hit screens in November 2026.
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Revisiting a victor
Fans of The Hunger Games, the odds are generously in your favour. After showing us the conniving boy that became the vicious President Snow, the beloved dystopian film franchise is gearing up for another prequel - this one set some years after The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Announced long before the 2025 release of its source material, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping will serve as the film adaptation for Suzanne Collins' novel of the same name. As per The Hollywood Reporter, the book was first announced in June last year, which was shortly followed by news on the screen adaptation. Slated for a November 20, 2026 release, the film will be the latest in a franchise that has brought all preceding novels to the big screen. Similar to The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Sunrise on the Reaping follows the youth of a character that the fans are familiar with, except this one is adored for aiding the protagonists as their Capitol-assigned mentor in the original books and films. Now, Haymitch Abernathy - tribute, friend, and rebel - will tell his own story. District 12 lineup Sunrise on the Reaping follows the 50th year of the annual Hunger Games, also known as the second Quarter Quell. In the Capitol's celebration of another 15-year lap, the Games introduce a fresh twist by doubling up on the usual 12 tributes that fight to the death each year. This time around, two girls and two boys are reaped from each district, adding up to a total of 42 teenagers forced to endure the Capitol's cruel punishment. Unbeknownst to young Haymitch, his dictated participation is only the first step towards a long life of misfortune. Leading a promising cast that appeases fans with every update, Joseph Zada will bring Haymitch to life on the big screen, along with Whitney Peak who will portray Haymitch's girlfriend, Lenore Dove Baird. Zada takes the torch from Woody Harrelson, who played the fan-favourite District 12 victor in the original quartet of films. Aside from Zada and Peak, others actors representing District 12 include Ben Wang who plays Wyatt Callow, the second male tribute reaped from District 12, along with Mckenna Grace and Molly McCann who play the female tributes Maysilee Donner and Louella McCoy respectively. Additionally, Iona Bell will portray Lou Lou, the Capitol's chilling replacement for Louella. Familiar names The official Instagram account for The Hunger Games is announcing all cast members steadily. With a post dedicated to a character each, the videos show text from the novel disappearing until only the character's name remains. The page then burns to reveal the actor behind the respective character, prompting a flood of reactions to each cast member in the comments. Portraying the tributes' band of allies are Kelvin Harrison Jr, Maya Hawke, and Lili Taylor, who play Beetee Latier, Wiress, and Mags Flanagan. Having previously appeared in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, the characters were formerly played by Jeffrey Wright, Amanda Plummer, and Lynn Cohen respectively. Other familiar characters to be reintroduced in Sunrise on the Reaping are double agent Plutarch Heavensbee, President Coriolanus Snow, future Capitol escort Effie Trinket, and interviewer Caesar Flickerman. Formerly portrayed by Elizabeth Banks in the films centered around Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark, a younger version of the elaborately dressed Effie will be played by Maleficent star Elle Fanning. Meanwhile, Black Mirror star Jesse Plemons is set to play Plutarch, the Capitol insider who aids the district rebels in the future story. The role was originally portrayed by Philip Seymour Hoffman. President Snow, who holds the record for appearing in every Hunger Games novel and film, will be brought to life this time by Conclave star Ralph Fiennes. The evil dictator was last seen as the protagonist of his own story in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and was played by Tom Blyth, though the late Donald Sutherland famously portrayed him in his prime in the first four films. The latest addition to the cast is Succession star Kieran Culkin, who will borrow the role of Caesar - the Capitol host who sits down with every tribute before the Games - from Stanley Tucci. "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," said Lionsgate Motion Picture Group co-president Erin Westerman. No surprises? As per Variety, the novel Sunrise on the Reaping sold a staggering 1.5 million copies in its first week on sale in the US, UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, producing twice the first-week sales of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and three times that of Mockingjay. "After traveling with Coriolanus, who is endlessly manipulative and controlling, it was a relief to wear both Haymitch's voice and character. He has a much greater capacity for hope, love, and joy. More than Coriolanus - or Katniss, for that matter," Collins said. Speaking of revisiting a character whose future the readers are already familiar with, the author added, "It's another way to approach a story, but it has its advantages. If you look at Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, we learn in the prologue that the lovers will die. So you're really not focused on what's going to happen, but on how or why it happens."
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.
Buzz Feed
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
What's The Best-Cast Younger Version Of A Character?
Oftentimes, the "younger version" of a character doesn't bear much resemblance to the main actor other than, like, their hair color. Sometimes, however, the casting is so good that it's hard to believe the two actors aren't the same person. For example, Elle Fanning as the younger Effie Trinket in the upcoming The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is an absolutely inspired casting choice. Fans have been rooting for Elle for a reason — look at her next to Elizabeth Banks! And when I saw Luke Brandon Field as young Daniel Molloy in AMC's Interview with the Vampire, I honestly thought they used some impressive Hollywood de-aging technology on Eric Bogosian! And Kyra Adler, the girl who played Cassie as a child on Euphoria, looks so much like Sydney Sweeney, it's uncanny. If you told me they were sisters, I'd believe you! Which actor do you think was the best-cast younger version of a character? Why? Share your thoughts in the comments, and they may be featured in an upcoming BuzzFeed Community post!
