Elle Fanning, Mckenna Grace and Kieran Culkin Get Very Candid About Joining ‘The Hunger Games’ Universe

The cast of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping gathered in London for the film’s UK launch, where several actors discussed the pressure of joining a much-loved franchise. Kieran Culkin said he worried audiences would compare his Caesar Flickerman with Stanley Tucci’s portrayal, while Elle Fanning spoke about wanting to meet fans’ expectations as the younger Effie Trinket.

The sixth Hunger Games film is directed by Francis Lawrence and adapts Suzanne Collins’ novel about the second Quarter Quell, in which Haymitch enters an arena with twice as many children. Joseph Zada plays the young Haymitch, with Ralph Fiennes, Mckenna Grace, Jesse Plemons and Whitney Peak among the cast. Culkin said he developed a different interpretation of Flickerman, whose ambition and need to succeed shape his approach to the role.