The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reapinghas added another major returning character from the franchise. The 2026 movie is adapted from the 2025 Suzanne Collins novel of the same name, which is a prequel to theHunger Gamestrilogy and follows the Fiftieth Hunger Games, in which Katniss' future mentor Haymitch Abernathy competed. The upcomingSunrise on the Reapingmovie, which is being helmed by longtime franchise director Francis Lawrence, stars Joseph Zada as Haymitch, Whitney Peak as his girlfriend Lenore Dove Baird, and Mckenna Grace as fellow District 12 tribute Maysilee Donner.
Lionsgatehas now announced thatJesse Plemons has joined the cast ofThe Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reapingas Plutarch Heavensbee, who was played by the late Philip Seymour Hoffman in the original movies. During the timeline of those movies, the character was the Head Gamemaker and a secret rebellion leader. This casting announcement confirms longstanding rumors that Plemons, who previously played the son of Philip Seymour Hoffman in 2012’sThe Master, had boarded the project. Below,read statements on Plemons' casting from Lionsgate Motion Picture Group co-president Erin Westerman and producer Nina Jacobson:
Erin Westerman:Jesse is one of the most talented actors of his generation, with a proven record of picking his roles selectively. 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.
Nina Jacobson:Jesse has been one of my favorite actors since I first saw him in ‘Friday Night Lights.’ We knew from the start that only an actor’s actor could play a young version of Plutarch. Jesse was the dream from the start and we couldn’t be prouder to have him join the Hunger Games family.
What This Means For Sunrise On The Reaping
Jesse Plemons Is A Good Fit For The Hunger Games Prequel
In addition to having previously starred in aPhilip Seymour Hoffman moviedue to his familial resemblance,Jesse Plemons has a long resume that proves his ability to bring Plutarch to life with aplomb. Bringing the character to life properly will be very important to the overall franchise, as the story illustrates an important piece of the character arc that brings Plutarch into Katniss' orbit more than two decades down the road. Plemons has long since proven his ability to bring this arc to life with quiet gravity.
During the time ofSunrise on the Reaping, Plutarch is a cameraman whose job it is to film the District 12 tributes.
Plemons has taken on a wide variety of dramatic roles in the past that require him to display nuanced character moments, even without much dialogue, particularly when he joined thecast ofThe Power of the Dog, a 2021 Jane Campion movie that earned him an Oscar nomination. However,he has also revealed a facility with genre projects, having made a memorable appearance in the dystopian war movieCivil Warand starred in two key episodes of the Netflix science fiction anthology seriesBlack Mirror.
Our Take On Jesse Plemons Joining Sunrise On The Reaping
His Role Continues A Hunger Games Tradition
By taking on the role of Plutarch inThe Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, Jesse Plemons continues a longstanding trend of theHunger Gamesmovies. While the teen roles are cast with up-and-coming talent,the adult characters have been portrayed by a number of decorated actors. In the original movies, this included Emmy winner Donald Sutherland and Oscar nominee Stanley Tucci alongside Oscar winners such as Julianne Moore and Hoffman himself, while the 2023 prequelBallad of Songbirds and Snakesfeatured the likes of Oscar winner Viola Davis and four-time Emmy winner Peter Dinklage.
