Elle Fanning Says Fans Helped Her Get Cast in New 'The Hunger Games' Film
The actress also commented on the character’s relationship with Haymitch in the new film.
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/uploads/conteudo/fotos/effie-jogos-vorazes.jpg "The Hunger Games")
Image credits: Murray Close/Lionsgate
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, the new chapter in the franchise set between The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and the original The Hunger Games trilogy, has received a series of new photos published by Entertainment Weekly in a special feature. The article also brings more details about the casting of Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket, a role previously played by Elizabeth Banks, and the influence fans had on her being chosen.
“The fans helped me get the part,” said Fanning. “They pushed hard, and the studio was seeing so many posts. So they called and said, ‘The fans want this so badly. Would you be interested?’”
The article adds that the actress grew up reading the books and watching the movies, and was excited to explore Effie’s complexities and the bond she forms with Haymitch.
“I fell in love with the bond they have,” she said. “I also thought it was important to allude to that special relationship that they’re gonna have later. So Joe [Zada] and I, that’s something that we talked about. There’s a curiosity that Effie has with Haymitch. He’s the rascal, he’s the bad boy. She’s kinda flirty with him at times. I think he really amuses her, and she finds him quite interesting when they first meet. So we tried to sprinkle in a little bit of that.”
Everything you need to know about The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping
Once again directed by Francis Lawrence, who helmed every feature film in the saga except the first, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping adapts the book of the same name released early in 2025. It was also announced that Billy Ray wrote the screenplay.
The film’s cast includes some major names. Joseph Zada will play the lead, Haymitch Abernathy, who was portrayed by Woody Harrelson in the films starring Jennifer Lawrence. Elle Fanning will play Effie Trinket, McKenna Grace is Maysilee Donner, Maya Hawke will play Wiress, and Ben Wang plays Wyatt Callow. Among the older characters are Ralph Fiennes as President Snow, Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman, Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee, Glenn Close as Drusilla Sickle, Scot Greenan as Burdock Everdeen, Grace Ackary as Astric March, Melody Chikakane Brown as Meeney, and Jefferson White as Mr. McCoy.
The the official synopsis of the book reads: "As the day dawns on the 50th annual Hunger Games, fear grips the districts of Panem. This year, in honor of the Quarter Quell, twice as many tributes will be taken from their homes. Back in District 12, Haymitch Abernathy is trying not to think too hard about his chances. All he cares about is making it through the day and being with the girl he loves. When Haymitch’s name is called, he can feel all his dreams break. He’s torn from his family and his love, shuttled to the Capitol with the three other District 12 tributes: a young friend who’s nearly a sister to him, a compulsive oddsmaker, and the most stuck-up girl in town. As the Games begin, Haymitch understands he’s been set up to fail. But there’s something in him that wants to fight ... and have that fight reverberate far beyond the deadly arena".
Sunrise on the Reaping hits theaters on November 20, 2026.
