Jesse Plemons to take on Philip Seymour Hoffman’s character in ‘Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping’
The team behind The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping has confirmed that Jesse Plemons will star in the new addition to the dystopian world, playing the role of the young Plutarch Heavensbee.
Heavensbee, a future Head Gamemaker and rebellion leader, was originally played by Philip Seymour Hoffman, who passed in 2014, with Plemons now set to reprise Hoffman’s character.
The two actors have starred together in a movie before, namely Paul Thomas Anderson’s 2012 psychological drama The Master, when the pair played a father-son duo. Plemons rose to fame in the hit series Breaking Bad and has since starred in films like Fargo, The Irishman, Civil War and Killers Of The Flower Moon.
The upcoming prequel centres on a teenage Haymitch Abernathy as he’s reaped for the 50th Hunger Games, otherwise known as the Second Quarter Quell. Plutarch is a young Capitol cameraman with a rebellious streak, who is tasked with documenting the tributes of District 12.
“Jesse is one of the most talented actors of his generation, with a proven record of picking his roles selectively,” said Erin Westerman, co-president of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group. She continued: “We are honoured 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.”
She noted that the actor will likely bring new dimensions to the well-known role: “His Plutarch will be both a tribute to the character fans have already come to know and a portrayal he makes his own.”
This isn’t the first casting announcement that the movie has made. The Kinds of Kindness actor will feature alongside Joseph Zada, Whitney Peak, and Mckenna Grace. Newcomer Zada will star as District 12 tribute Haymitch Abernathy while Peak will portray his girlfriend Lenore Dove Baird. Grace will take the Katniss Everdeen-type role of Maysilee Donner.
Published on March 18th, 2025, Sunrise on the Reaping sold 1.5million copies of the book in its first week on sale in the US, UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The movie franchise has been just as successful: the five films in the franchise have taken in more than $3.3billion at the global box office.
Francis Lawrence will return to the director’s chair as The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping will be released on November 20th, 2026.
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