Kieran Culkin is the latest addition in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, the upcoming prequel film directed by Francis Lawrence. The film, based on Suzanne Collins’ 2025 novel of the same name, is set 24 years before the original Hunger Games and focuses on a young Haymitch Abernathy during the 50th Hunger Games, known as the Second Quarter Quell.
Lionsgate representatives praised Culkin’s charm, wit, and complexity, calling him a perfect fit for the charismatic host of the Hunger Games. Culkin has been cast as Caesar Flickerman, taking over the role originally portrayed by Stanley Tucci in the first four films of the franchise.
Elle Fanning was recently cast as a young Effie Trinket. This marks the first time the character will appear in the franchise’s timeline before the original trilogy. Fanning takes over the role from Elizabeth Banks, who portrayed Effie in the earlier films.
Joseph Zada will play Haymitch, with Whitney Peak as his girlfriend, Lenore Dove Baird. Other cast members include McKenna Grace, Jesse Plemons, Ralph Fiennes, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Maya Hawke, Lili Taylor, and Ben Wang.
Sixth Installment of Franchise
Sunrise on the Reaping is scheduled for theatrical release on November 20, 2026.
The Hunger Games franchise has released five films, amassing more than $3.3 billion at the global box office. The upcoming sixth installment will be directed by Francis Lawrence. He has led every movie since the series began in 2012. The screenplay is adapted by Billy Ray. Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson of Color Force are the producers, with Cameron MacConomy serving as executive producer.
Culkin earned the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor earlier this year for his role in A Real Pain and has received three Emmy nominations for his performance in Succession. He is currently starring on Broadway in Glengarry Glen Ross, alongside Bob Odenkirk and Bill Burr. He is represented by WME, Brookside Artist Management, and Relevant.
