Oscar and Emmy winner Kieran Culkin has joined “The Starvation Video games: Dawn on the Reaping” as magnanimous host Caesar Flickerman. Stanley Tucci performed the function within the unique quartet of movies.

Culkin joins beforehand introduced forged members Joseph Zada as Haymitch Abernathy, Whitney Peak as Lenore Dove Baird, Mckenna Grace as Maysilee Donner, Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee, Maya Hawke as Wiress, Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Beetee, Lili Taylor as Mags, Ben Wang as Wyatt, Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket and Ralph Fiennes as President Snow. MollyMcCann may also seem as Louella, whereas Iona Bell will painting her Capitol-assigned lookalike Lou Lou.

The brand new movie, based mostly on Suzanne Collins’ novel of the identical identify, revisits the world of Panem practically 1 / 4 of a century earlier than the occasions of these movies, the place Woody Harrelson’s Haymitch Abernathy served as a mentor to Jennifer Lawrence’s Katniss Everdeen and Josh Hutcherson’s Peeta Mellark.

In “Dawn on the Reaping,” Haymitch is the principle character, because the motion begins on the morning of the reaping of the fiftieth Starvation Video games, often called the Second Quarter Quell, during which he enters the lethal area. 

“Kieran’s scene-stealing presence and simple attraction are excellent for Caesar Flickerman, the sickeningly watchable host of Panem’s darkest spectacle. Stanley Tucci made Caesar unforgettable—and now Kieran will make the function fully his personal,” stated Lionsgate Movement Image Group co-president Erin Westerman.

Culkin joins the franchise amid the most popular streak of his lengthy profession. Earlier this 12 months, Culkin collected the most effective supporting actor Oscar (in addition to practically each different precursor prize) for his efficiency reverse Jesse Eisenberg in “A Actual Ache.” He’s midway to EGOT standing after profitable the lead actor drama Emmy for the ultimate season of HBO “Succession,” the place he performed Roman Roy. Culkin at the moment seems on Broadway starring within the offered out run of “Glengarry Glen Ross” with Bob Odenkirk and Invoice Burr.

The movie adaptation of “The Starvation Video games: Dawn on the Reaping” shall be launched on Nov. 20, 2026. Lawrence, who has helmed each installment of the franchise since 2012’s “Catching Hearth,” will direct from a screenplay adaptation by Billy Ray. Shade Power’s Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson will produce. Cameron MacConomy will govt produce. The 5 movies within the franchise thus far have taken in over $3.3 billion on the field workplace.

“Dawn on the Reaping” offered 1.5 million copies in its first week on sale within the U.S., U.Okay., Eire, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The 1.2 million copies offered within the U.S. are twice the primary week gross sales of “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” and thrice the primary week gross sales of “Mockingjay.”

“Kieran’s magnetism, wit, and unpredictability make him an ideal match for Caesar Flickerman,” Jacobson stated. “A host like Caesar transforms brutality into leisure, and an actor as layered as Kieran makes positive we don’t look away.”

Meredith Wieck and Scott O’Brien are overseeing the undertaking for Lionsgate. Phil Strina negotiated the deal for the studio. Culkin is represented by WME, Brookside Artist Administration and Related. The Hollywood Reporter was first to report his casting.