Casting is in full swing for Lionsgate’s upcoming adaptation of “Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping.” Oscar nominee Jesse Plemons is now confirmed to be among the cast as Plutarch Heavensbee. The character was first portrayed by the late Philip Seymour Hoffman in “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1” and “Part 2.”
“Sunrise on the Reaping” is the 6th film adaptation from Suzanne Collins’s best selling book series of the same name.
The movie will take place twenty-four years before the events of the first film. Starting on the morning of the reaping of the Fiftieth Hunger Games. Plemons will portray a younger version of Plutarch, the future Head Gamemaker and rebellion leader.
He stars alongside Joseph Zada as Haymitch Abernathy, Whitney Peak as Lenore Dove Baird, and Mckenna Grace as Maysilee Donner. Franchise veteran Francis Lawrence will return to direct from a script by Billy Ray.
Thoughts on Plemons’ Casting
“Jesse is one of the most talented actors of his generation, with a proven record of picking his roles selectively,” says Erin Westerman, co-president, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group. “We are honored that he has chosen to bring his own take to one of the most fascinating figures in Panem, and feel that his previous collaboration with Philip Seymour Hoffman makes it all the more special. His Plutarch will be both a tribute to the character fans have already come to know and a portrayal he makes his own. We can’t wait for audiences to see it.”
The previous collaboration was in “The Master,” where Plemons actually played Seymour Hoffman’s son.
“Jesse has been one of my favorite actors since I first saw him in ‘Friday Night Lights,’” adds producer Nina Jacobson. ”We knew from the start that only an actor’s actor could play a young version of Plutarch. Jesse was the dream from the start and we couldn’t be prouder to have him join the Hunger Games family.”
“The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping” hit theaters on November 20, 2026. We’ll keep you posted on updates about the project as it develops.
