Oscar and Emmy winner Kieran Culkin has joined “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping” as magnanimous host Caesar Flickerman. Stanley Tucci played the role in the original quartet of films.
Culkin 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, Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket and Ralph Fiennes as President Snow. MollyMcCann will also appear as Louella, while Iona Bell will portray her Capitol-assigned lookalike Lou Lou.
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The new film, based on Suzanne Collins’ novel of the same name, revisits the world of Panem nearly a quarter of a century before the events of those films, where Woody Harrelson’s Haymitch Abernathy served as a mentor to Jennifer Lawrence’s Katniss Everdeen and Josh Hutcherson’s Peeta Mellark.
In “Sunrise on the Reaping,” Haymitch is the main character, as the action begins on the morning of the reaping of the 50th Hunger Games, known as the Second Quarter Quell, in which he enters the deadly arena.
“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.
Culkin joins the franchise amid the hottest streak of his long career. Earlier this year, Culkin collected the best supporting actor Oscar (as well as nearly every other precursor prize) for his performance opposite Jesse Eisenberg in “A Real Pain.” He’s halfway to EGOT status after winning the lead actor drama Emmy for the final season of HBO “Succession,” where he played Roman Roy. Culkin currently appears on Broadway starring in the sold out run of “Glengarry Glen Ross” with Bob Odenkirk and Bill Burr.
The film adaptation of “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping” will be released on Nov. 20, 2026. Lawrence, who has helmed every installment of the franchise since 2012’s “Catching Fire,” will direct from a screenplay adaptation by Billy Ray. Color Force’s Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson will produce. Cameron MacConomy will executive produce. The five films in the franchise so far have taken in over $3.3 billion at the box office.
“Sunrise on the Reaping” sold 1.5 million copies in its first week on sale in the U.S., U.K., Ireland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The 1.2 million copies sold in the U.S. are twice the first week sales of “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” and three times the first week sales of “Mockingjay.”
“Kieran’s magnetism, wit, and unpredictability make him a perfect fit for Caesar Flickerman,” Jacobson said. “A host like Caesar transforms brutality into entertainment, and an actor as layered as Kieran makes sure we don’t look away.”
Meredith Wieck and Scott O’Brien are overseeing the project for Lionsgate. Phil Strina negotiated the deal for the studio. Culkin is represented by WME, Brookside Artist Management and Relevant. The Hollywood Reporter was first to report his casting.
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