“The Hunger: Games Sunrise On The Reaping” already added a ton of buzzy names to its ensemble earlier this week. But the latest name to join the cast sheet may be the buzziest, as it’s a recent Oscar-winner.
THR reports that Kieran Culkin will star in Lionsgate‘s next “Hunger Games” prequel as young Games host Caesar Flickerman. Stanley Tucci played the older version of the character in the first four films. Culkin’s casting comes on the heels of Ralph Fiennes joining “Sunrise On The Reaping” as President Snow, Molly McCann and Iona Bell as Louella and Lou Lou, and Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket. Will these names be the final big castings for the film? Stay tuned on that.
Other previously announced cast members for “Sunrise On The reaping” include Joseph Zada, Whitney Peak, Mckenna Grace, Jesse Plemons, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Maya Hawke, Lili Taylor, and Ben Wang. Francis Lawrence returns to direct the film, and co-adapts Suzanne Collins‘ best-seller with Billy Ray. Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson produce via their Color Force banner, with Cameron MacConomy on board as executive producer. Meredith Wieck and Scott O’Brien oversee Sunrise On The Reaping” for Lionsgate.
“Kieran’s scene-stealing presence and undeniable charm are perfect for Caesar Flickerman, the sickeningly watchable host of Panem’s darkest spectacle,” says Lionsgate Motion Picture Group co-president Erin Westerman in a press statement. “Stanley Tucci made Caesar unforgettable — and now Kieran will make the role entirely his own.” Jacobson had her own comment on Culkin’s casting: “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.”
Set 24 years before the events of the first “Hunger Games” movie, “Sunrise On The Reaping” follows a young Haymitch Abernathy as he travels from District 12 to the Capital to participate in the 50th annual Hunger Games, known as the Quarter Quell. Zada plays the young version of Woody Harrelson‘s character in the film. “Reaping” is the sixth film in Lionsgate’s mega-successful franchise, which has made over $3.3 billion at the global box office.
As for Culkin, he’s coming off an Oscar for his supporting role in Jesse Eisenberg‘s “A Real Pain.” Best known for his work on HBO‘s “Succession,” the actor currently stars in the Broadway production of “Glengarry Glen Ross” with Bob Odenkirk and Bill Burr. He also has a voice role in the upcoming animated film version of Geroge Orwell‘s “Animal Farm.”
“The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping” hits theaters on November 20, 2026. Stay tuned for more casting news as the film approaches production.
