New Cast Unveiled for Prequel 'The Hunger Games': Elle Fanning Takes on Effie Role

This installment is an adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ bestselling series and takes place 24 years before the original trilogy, focusing on the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell. Elle Fanning’s role was previously portrayed by Elizabeth Banks in earlier films. In The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, Joseph Zada plays Haymitch Abernathy, with Whitney Peak cast as his girlfriend Lenore Dove Baird. The cast also includes Mckenna Grace as Maysilee Donner, Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee, Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Beetee, Maya Hawke as Wiress, Lili Taylor as Mags, Ben Wang as Wyatt Callow, and Ralph Fiennes as President Snow.

The story centers on 16-year-old Haymitch from District 12, who is unexpectedly chosen for the deadly games featuring a brutal twist: 48 tributes battling in the arena, double the usual number. Directed by Francis Lawrence from a screenplay by Billy Ray, the film is produced by Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson of Color Force, with Cameron MacConomy serving as executive producer. The project is overseen by Meredith Wieck and Scott O’Brien for Lionsgate, with Robert Melnik handling deals. Scheduled for release on November 20, 2026, Sunrise follows five blockbuster The Hunger Games films that have grossed over $3.3 billion worldwide.

Elle Fanning recently starred opposite Timothee Chalamet in the Oscar-nominated biopic A Complete Unknown about Bob Dylan. She is currently at Cannes supporting Joachim Trier's Sentimental Value, which premieres this week. Upcoming projects include Margo’s Got Money Troubles for Apple TV+ and Predator: Badlands from 20th Century Studios, set to hit theaters this fall. She is represented by UTA, TFC Management, and Hansen, Jacobson, Teller.