Is Kieran Culkin the New Face of ‘The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping’?

Los Angeles, May 22 (NationPress) Academy Award and Emmy winner Kieran Culkin has been cast as the charismatic host Caesar Flickerman in “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping”.

In the original film series, this role was portrayed by actor Stanley Tucci.

Culkin joins an impressive cast that includes 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. Additionally, Molly McCann will appear as Louella, while Iona Bell will take on the role of her Capitol-assigned lookalike, Lou Lou.

This upcoming film, based on Suzanne Collins' novel of the same name, revisits the universe of Panem about 25 years before the events that featured Woody Harrelson's Haymitch Abernathy as a mentor to Jennifer Lawrence's Katniss Everdeen and Josh Hutcherson's Peeta Mellark, according to variety.com.

In “Sunrise on the Reaping,” Haymitch is the central character, and the story kicks off on the morning of the reaping for the 50th Hunger Games, known as the Second Quarter Quell, where he must enter the perilous arena.

“Kieran’s scene-stealing presence and undeniable charm are ideal for Caesar Flickerman, the disturbingly captivating host of Panem’s most grim spectacle. Stanley Tucci made Caesar unforgettable—and now Kieran will make the role entirely his own,” stated Erin Westerman, co-president of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group.

Culkin recently won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role opposite Jesse Eisenberg in “A Real Pain.” He’s on track for EGOT status after winning an Emmy for his lead role in the final season of “Succession,” where he portrayed Roman Roy.

Currently, Culkin is performing on Broadway in “Glengarry Glen Ross” alongside Bob Odenkirk and Bill Burr.

The film adaptation of “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping” is set to premiere on November 20, 2026. Director Lawrence, who has overseen every entry in the franchise since the 2012 film “Catching Fire,” will helm the project based on a screenplay by Billy Ray. Producers include Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson from Color Force.

“Kieran’s charisma, humor, and unpredictability make him an exceptional choice for Caesar Flickerman,” Jacobson remarked.

Jacobson added: “A host like Caesar transforms brutality into entertainment, and an actor as multifaceted as Kieran ensures we remain glued to our screens.”