Oscar-nominated actor Jesse Plemons is stepping into the world of Panem. Lionsgate has officially announced that Plemons will portray a young Plutarch Heavensbee in "The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping", the cinematic adaptation of Suzanne Collins' latest installment in her blockbuster dystopian series.
Best known to "Hunger Games" fans as the Head Gamemaker who later aids the rebellion against the Capitol, Plutarch Heavensbee was originally played by the late Philip Seymour Hoffman in "Mockingjay" - Parts 1 and 2. Those films marked Hoffman's final on-screen appearances before his untimely passing, and the role has since become iconic among fans of the franchise. Now, Plemons will offer a fresh interpretation of the complex character, exploring his early years before he rose to power within the Capitol.
"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," said Erin Westerman, co-president of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group.
Producer Nina Jacobson also expressed her excitement, saying, "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."
"Sunrise on the Reaping," Collins' newly released prequel novel, begins with a vivid scene set in District 12. A young Plutarch is present to document the reaping of tributes for the Fiftieth Hunger Games-an event known as the Second Quarter Quell. The story, which unfolds 24 years before the events of the original Hunger Games trilogy, digs deeper into the political, social, and emotional fabric of Panem, laying the groundwork for the revolutionary movements to come.
Since its release on March 18, "Sunrise on the Reaping" has shattered expectations in the publishing world. The novel sold a staggering 1.5 million copies during its first week on shelves across the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In the U.S. alone, 1.2 million copies were sold-doubling the debut week figures for "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" and tripling those of "Mockingjay".
Building on that momentum, the film version of "Sunrise on the Reaping" is set to premiere on November 20, 2026. Francis Lawrence, the longtime steward of the series who directed "Catching Fire", "Mockingjay" Parts 1 and 2, and "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes", will return to helm the project. The screenplay adaptation is being handled by Billy Ray, with franchise veterans Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson of Color Force back to produce. Cameron MacConomy will serve as executive producer. Collectively, the previous five films in the "Hunger Games" series have grossed over $3.3 billion at the global box office.
Lionsgate executives Meredith Wieck and Scott O'Brien are overseeing the production, and Phil Strina brokered the studio's deal.
Plemons was nominated for an Academy Award for his performance in Jane Campion's The Power of the Dog. He has recently appeared in high-profile projects such as Killers of the Flower Moon, Kinds of Kindness, and the Netflix series Zero Day. Looking ahead, he will reunite with director Yorgos Lanthimos in the upcoming film Bugonia and will also appear in an untitled feature directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu.
