Elle Fanning has joined the cast of the new Hunger Games prequel, ‘Sunrise on the Reaping’
The actress will play a younger version of the iconic Capitol character.
The cast of the upcoming film adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ ‘The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping’ continues to grow. This morning, Elle Fanning was revealed as the newest addition to the cast, who will take on the role of the flamboyant Effie Trinket.
Fanning’s integration into the cast was revealed in a social media post. The video presentation is short and to the point, introducing the actress in the film.
Effie Trinket.
— The Hunger Games (@TheHungerGames) May 20, 2025
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping – in theaters November 20, 2026. pic.twitter.com/zm4LIkN8eb
Erin Westerman, co-president of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, also expressed her excitement about this decision. “From the moment Suzanne released the book, one question echoed from fans around the world: Who will play Effie? Elizabeth Banks made her iconic — so who could honor that legacy while bringing us back to Effie’s early, most formative days? For us, there was only one answer”, explained Westerman, highlighting Fanning’s quality and potential to tackle this role. “Elle Fanning’s career has been transcendent. She has a rare presence — warm, sparkling and layered with extraordinary depth. She was the undeniable fan favorite from the start, and we’re honored she answered the call. The odds, it turns out, were in our favor.”
Who makes up the cast of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping?
Fanning joins previously announced cast members Joseph Zada as Haymitch Abernathy, 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 and Ralph Fiennes as President Snow.
The film is an adaptation of the book recently released on March 18, 2025, which takes place 24 years before the events of the first novel, beginning on the morning of the harvest of the 50th Hunger Games, known as the Second Quarter Quell, in which Haymitch Abernathy was the victor. One of the most popular characters in the saga, played in the movies by Woody Harrelson.
The new film is scheduled to be released in theaters worldwide on November 20, 2026, so it can be inferred that production has already begun.
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