The prequel to The Hunger Games, titled Sunrise on the Reaping, features Jesse Plemons in the role of Plutarch Heavensbee.

      Casting has been gaining momentum for the upcoming prequel to the Hunger Games, titled Sunrise on the Reaping, and it has now been announced that Jesse Plemons, known for his roles in Breaking Bad and Civil War, will portray Plutarch Heavensbee, a character originally played by the late Philip Seymour Hoffman.

      In the original Hunger Games series, Plutarch Heavensbee served as a Game Maker and a skilled propagandist for both the Capitol and later the rebellion. In Sunrise on the Reaping, he is seen working for the Capitol, filming and editing footage for the reaping ceremony of District 12 and the 50th Hunger Games.

      “Jesse is among the most talented actors of his generation, known for his careful selection of roles,” stated Erin Westerman, co-president of Lionsgate. “We are thrilled that he has chosen to provide his interpretation of one of the most intriguing figures in Panem, and we believe that his past collaboration with Philip Seymour Hoffman adds to the significance of his role. His portrayal of Plutarch will honor the character that fans are familiar with while also showcasing his unique interpretation. We eagerly anticipate audiences experiencing it.”

      “Jesse has been one of my favorite performers since I first saw him in ‘Friday Night Lights,’” noted producer Nina Jacobson. “From the very beginning, we knew that only a truly talented actor could capture a younger version of Plutarch. Jesse was our dream choice from the start, and we are incredibly proud to welcome him to the Hunger Games family.”

      Released last month by Suzanne Collins, Sunrise on the Reaping takes fans back to the 50th anniversary of the Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell, during which fan-favorite Haymitch Abernathy was selected as one of District 12's four tributes to participate in the games and ultimately won, later mentoring Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark nearly 25 years afterward in their own Games.

      Plemons joins a cast that includes Joseph Zada (Invisible Boys) as Haymitch, Whitney Peak (Hocus Pocus 2) as Haymitch’s girlfriend Lenore Dove Baird, and McKenna Grace (Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire) as Maysilee Donner, one of the female tributes from District 12.

      Francis Lawrence returns to direct Sunrise on the Reaping after helming all Hunger Games films since Catching Fire, while the original screenwriter Billy Ray writes the script.

      The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping will revisit the world of Panem 24 years prior to the events of The Hunger Games, starting on the day of the reaping for the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.

      The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is set to be released on November 20, 2026.

      Ricky Church – Follow me on Bluesky for more movie news and discussions.