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.
In short
- The new prequel follows Haymitch’s second Quarter Quell.
- Culkin worried viewers would compare him with Stanley Tucci.
- Fanning said she hopes fans approve of her Effie portrayal.
Explained simply
The Hunger Games is a series of novels by Suzanne Collins, adapted into films about a future society where young people are forced to fight in televised contests. The stories follow characters from different districts as they face the games and the powerful government that runs them.
Sunrise on the Reaping is based on Collins’ novel about the second Quarter Quell, a special edition of the contest in which twice as many children are sent into the arena. It follows a young Haymitch, played by Joseph Zada, and is directed by Francis Lawrence, who has made several earlier Hunger Games films.
The cast also includes actors playing younger versions of familiar characters, including Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket and Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman. Their roles have previously been played by Elizabeth Banks and Stanley Tucci, while Mckenna Grace is among the other cast members.