Elle Fanning Tapped to Play Effie Trinket in Hunger Games Prequel

The highly anticipated Hunger Games prequel, "The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping," is currently in production, with a notable change in the cast. Elle Fanning has been tapped to take on the role of Effie Trinket, replacing the original actress, Elizabeth Banks, who portrayed the character in the first four Hunger Games films.

Fanning revealed that she is nearing the completion of her part in the film, stating, "Effie is on the screen now." The prequel is set 24 years before the events of the first Hunger Games movie, focusing on Effie's role as the stylist for Haymitch Abernathy (played by Joseph Zada) ahead of the 50th Hunger Games.

Interestingly, Fanning shared that she has been in communication with Banks, who has been supportive of the casting decision. Banks, who made the role of Effie Trinket iconic, sent Fanning a bouquet of flowers and a message of encouragement, saying, "May the odds be ever in your favor." The original Effie actress has also texted Fanning, expressing her confidence in the young actress' ability to do justice to the beloved character.

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is set to hit theaters on November 20, 2026, with Francis Lawrence once again at the helm. The cast also includes Zada, Whitney Peak, Mckenna Grace, Jesse Plemons, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Maya Hawke, Lili Taylor, and Ben Wang, with Ralph Fiennes portraying the villainous President Snow.