Jesse Plemons is headed to Panem. The acclaimed actor has joined the cast of “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping” as a young version of Plutarch Heavensbee.
Plutarch was portrayed by Philip Seymour Hoffman in original films “Catching Fire” and “Mockingjay” Parts 1 and 2. Hoffman died in 2014 after filming the majority of his scenes for the “Mockingjay” films, with only a week of shooting remaining.
Director Francis Lawrence did not use any CGI technology to replicate the actor’s performance, instead choosing to rewrite scenes and give Hoffman’s dialogue to other actors. “He was one of the greatest actors, I think, of all time and I just think to try to fake a Philip Seymour Hoffman performance would have been catastrophic and I would never want to do that,” Lawrence said at the time. “I just think this was the best way to be able to get around such a horrible thing.”
Plemons and Hoffman previously worked together on Paul Thomas Anderson’s 2012 film “The Master,” with Plemons portraying Hoffman’s son. An Oscar nominee for his performance in “The Power of the Dog,” Plemons most recently appeared in Netflix’s “Black Mirror” episode “USS Callister: Into Infinity.” Other notable credits include “Friday Night Lights,” “Killers of the Flower Moon,” “Kinds of Kindness” and “Zero Day.” He is next set to star in an untitled film from director Alejandro G. Iñárritu and in Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Bugonia” alongside Emma Stone.
Erin Westerman, co-president of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, said, “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.”
The new “Hunger Games” movie, set to begin shooting this July, is directed by Lawrence, who has helmed every installment of the franchise since 2012’s “Catching Fire.” Billy Ray, who co-wrote the original “Hunger Games” has been tapped to write the screenplay. Color Force’s Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson will produce. Cameron MacConomy will executive produce.
“Sunrise on the Reaping” opens with the young Plutarch Heavensbee in District 12, capturing the reaping of the Tributes there. Published on March 18, the novel revisits the world of Panem 24 years before the events of “The Hunger Games,” starting on the morning of the reaping of the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.
Jacobson added, “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” sold 1.5 million copies in its first week on sale in the U.S., U.K., Ireland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The 1.2 million copies sold in the U.S. are twice the first week sales of “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” and three times the first week sales of “Mockingjay.”
Meredith Wieck and Scott O’Brien are overseeing the project for Lionsgate. Phil Strina negotiated the deal for the studio. “Sunrise on the Reaping” is set to be released in theaters on Nov. 20, 2026.
Plemons is represented by TalentWorks and Hirsch Wallerstein Hayum Matlof and Fishman.
