Summary
The upcomingHunger Gamesprequel adds another talented actor to the franchise. Jesse Plemons joins to portray one of the most important figures in the story.
The Hunger Gamestrilogy by Suzanne Collins is such a huge success that fans simply can’t get over the franchise. Hence, there is excitement for its upcoming movie,The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, which is based on Collins' most recent book from theHunger Gamesseries. It focuses on the young Haymitch Abernathy. Actor Woody Harrelson portrayed the character in the first four films.Sunrise on the Reapingis making progress because Lionsgate just announced its lead actor.Joseph Zada will play the young Haymitchin the prequel. Plemons is also joining the franchise to play another significant figure.
Plemons has been cast as Plutarch Heavensbee inThe Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, Deadline reported. The character was previously portrayed by the late Philip Seymour Hoffman inThe Hunger Games: Catching Fire(2013),The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1(2014) andThe Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2(2015). Hoffman passed away while filmingMockingjay - Part 2. The filmmakers had to adjust the final scenes because Plutarch is significant in the story.Sunrise on the Reapingreportedly opens with a young Plutarch capturing the reaping of the Tributes in District 12. It is set 24 years before the originalThe Hunger Gamestrilogy — the time when Haymitch is chosen to be the District 12’s tribute. Erin Westerman, co-president of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, was pleased with Plemons' casting. According to him, theWindfallstar is “one of the most talented actors of his generation, with a proven record of picking his roles selectively.” He also teased about Plemons' take on the character, saying it would be both a tribute and his own take on the character. Westerman said, per Deadline:
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.
Plutarch Heavensbee Is A Major Character In TheHunger GamesFranchise And Getting Jesse Plemons To Play Him Is Huge
Plutarchis a cunning insider who plays a major role in the rebellion. He is a complex character who appears to side with President Snow but secretly works for the rebels. Plemons joins Zada, Whitney Peak as Haymitch’s girlfriend Lenore Dove Baird, and McKenna Grace as District 12’s other tribute Maysilee Donner. Zada and Peak’s casting was announced at the same time. Meanwhile, Grace confirmed her casting onInstagram, and fans loved it. Many are delighted that theGiftedstar will portray Maysilee because she’s exactly how they pictured the character. According to them, the casting was on point. Meanwhile, fans had mixed reactions about Zada’s casting because he isn’t popular. However, many are also thrilled for the same reason – they loved thatHunger Gamesopted for a fresh face to play the young Haymitch because it would add to his charm and mystery.
So far, most of the casting forThe Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reapingis well-received. Plemons, in particular, is an amazing choice to play the young Plutarch, a complex character. Plutarch is not a clear-cut good man, but also not a deliberate evil. He helped end theHunger Games,but also wanted to re-establish them to punish the Capitol children. Plemons' acting career has spanned decades, and he has played diverse roles inBreaking Bad,Fargo, andThe Power of the Dog,which earned him an Academy Award nomination. His casting also aligns with the franchise’s practice of choosing seasoned actors for supporting roles and emerging talents for lead positions. Additionally, Plemons and the original Plutarch star, Hoffman, played father and son in the psychological drama filmThe Master. So, there is a connection between the two brilliant talents. Their shared history can add a layer of emotional resonance to Plemons' casting as he portrays Plutarch’s younger years.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reapingwill hit theaters on July 11, 2025.
