Did You Hear? is a weekly examination of headlines in the entertainment industry and a take on what they could mean for the future of the industry and (often), the little geeky bubble that we occupy!
New Hunger Games Movie Recasts Philip Seymour Hoffman’s Iconic Role
Sunrise on the Reaping has been the queen of #Booktok #Booktube #Bookstagram #BookThreads and every other bookish girly discussion for the past weeks since its debut. It outstripped Onyx Storm in reviews and nipping at Rebecca Yarros’ January release in sales (Sunrise on the Reaping is currently in second place).
The film adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ latest installation in The Hunger Games YA dystopian book series was a foregone conclusion given the success of last year’s on-screen adaptation of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. One of the most fun aspects of the prequels making their way to the screen has been seeing new actors step into the roles previously established in the original film quadrilogy. In the short time since Sunrise on the Reaping hit shelves worldwide, announcements about casting have exploded.
What we know is as follows:
Joseph Zada (Invisible Boys), will be protagonist Haymitch Abernathy who was originally played by Woody Harrelson, Whitney Peak (Molly’s Game, The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina), will originate Lenore Dove Baird, Mckenna Grace (Gifted, Ghostbusters Afterlife), will originate Maysilee Donner, and today The Hollywood Reporter broke the news that Jesse Plemons (The Power of the Dog, Black Mirror), will be playing Plutarch Heavensbee.
Heavensbee is not only an important member of the rebellion and co-conspirator of Katniss Everdeen’s in
the time of The Hunger Games trilogy, but he is a key figure in Haymitch Abernathy’s radicalization over the course of The Second Quarter Quell in Sunrise on the Reaping. Heavensbee was first brought to life by actor Philip Seymour Hoffman.
Fun fact: in the 2012 film The Master, Plemons played Philip Seymour Hoffman’s son. It seems Sunrise on the Reaping producers and casting directors thought the resemblance went even further!
Co-President of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, Erin Westerman told THR:
“Jesse is one of the most talented actors of his generation, with a proven record of picking his roles selectively. 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.”
… with Nina Jacobson of Color Force (producing Sunrise on the Reaping along with Brad Simpson), adding:
“Jesse has been one of my favorite actors since I first saw him in Friday Night Lights. 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 current release date for Sunrise on the Reaping is November 20th, 2026 release date. That seems like a very fast turn around from the publish date of the book, albeit on similarly paced to The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.At first blush this leads me to conclude that these Hunger Games prequels must be shining successful prequels in a sea of flopping prequels from major genre franchises.
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes was made for $100 million and grossed $349 million. There is absolutely
no argument to be brooked for the box office success. Which opens up the tantalizing question of: how many more books set in the world of Panem will Suzanne Collins be penning for the audience – I mean, Lionsgate?
It also leads me to wonder at what point The Hunger Games movie franchise will go full Avengers Endgame and have all of these younger versions of the characters run into each other? Or is the studio likely to deviate from the path of the book and give us The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes 2 or Sunrise on the Reaping 2 since building out this group of young starlets.
In a world where several genre franchises can arguably considered to be on the downswing to see The Hunger Games under the guidance of Lionsgate ramping up is going to make for compelling watching.
