Kieran Culkin Joins The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping as Caesar Flickerman

Fresh off his Oscar win, Kieran Culkin is stepping into one of Panem’s most unforgettable roles. Yep, you read that right—Culkin is set to play Caesar Flickerman, the eccentric and over-the-top host of the Hunger Games, in Sunrise on the Reaping. The upcoming Lionsgate prequel is already stacked with talent, but this casting? It’s a scene-stealer in itself.

Culkin’s casting is exclusive news from The Hollywood Reporter, and fans are buzzing. Known for his razor-sharp wit and unpredictable charisma—just watch Succession if you need a refresher—he’s about to put his own spin on a character that’s as showy as he is sinister.

Caesar Flickerman Gets a New Face

Caesar Flickerman is no stranger to Hunger Games fans. Stanley Tucci gave us the OG version—glittery suits, flamboyant hair, and that big fake smile. He made Caesar iconic. But Sunrise on the Reaping is set decades earlier, during the 50th Hunger Games, so it only makes sense we’d meet a younger, slightly different Caesar.

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Kieran Culkin is bringing something new to the table. According to Lionsgate’s Erin Westerman, his “scene-stealing presence and undeniable charm” make him perfect for the twisted TV host who somehow makes child-on-child combat into must-watch television. Executive producer Nina Jacobson echoed that, saying Culkin’s “magnetism, wit, and unpredictability” are just what the role needs.

You know it’s going to be weird, uncomfortably funny, and hard to look away from. Exactly how Caesar should be.

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What We Know About the Movie

Sunrise on the Reaping is based on Suzanne Collins’ upcoming novel and will hit theaters on November 20, 2026. It’s directed by franchise veteran Francis Lawrence and written by Billy Ray. The story is set 24 years before Katniss Everdeen’s name got pulled in District 12. This time, we’re watching the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the second Quarter Quell—yeah, the one that Haymitch won.

So far, the cast is absolutely stacked. In addition to Culkin, we’ve got Joseph Zada, Whitney Peak, Mckenna Grace, Jesse Plemons, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Maya Hawke, Lili Taylor, and Ben Wang. Elle Fanning is stepping in as Effie Trinket (yes, that Effie), and Ralph Fiennes is taking on the icy role of President Snow. If that lineup doesn’t get you hyped, check your pulse.

Plus, with the franchise’s history of turning young talent into full-blown stars, it’s exciting to see who might break out next. And let’s not forget—the first five Hunger Games films already pulled in over $3.3 billion globally.

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Kieran Culkin’s Big Year

This isn’t just another gig for Culkin. He’s having a moment. He won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar earlier this year for A Real Pain and already has three Emmy nominations under his belt for Succession.

Oh, and he’s not slowing down—he’s currently lighting up Broadway in Glengarry Glen Ross alongside Bob Odenkirk and Bill Burr. He’s the kind of actor who can flip between hilarious, tragic, and terrifying in one breath, which makes him a brilliant fit for a layered role like Caesar Flickerman.

This version of Caesar won’t just be a comic relief. He’ll be slick, shiny, and a little unsettling—which is exactly what you want in the host of Panem’s darkest tradition.

So here we are: a new era of Hunger Games is on the horizon, and with Kieran Culkin onboard, Sunrise on the Reaping just jumped to the top of our must-watch list. November 2026 can’t come soon enough.