Jesse Plemons Joins ‘The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping’ as Plutarch Heavensbee

by

Jesse Plemons will be making his way to the world of Panem, having been added to the cast of “The Hunger Games: Sunrise at the Reaping.” He will portray a younger incarnation of the character, Plutarch Heavensbee.

Plutarch, the character, was brought to life by Philip Seymour Hoffman in the movies “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” and “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Parts 1 and 2”. Tragically, Hoffman passed away in 2014, having filmed most of his scenes for the “Mockingjay” series, with just a week’s worth of filming left.

Director Francis Lawrence opted against employing CGI technology to mimic Philip Seymour Hoffman’s acting, instead deciding to revise scenes and assign Hoffman’s lines to other actors. In essence, Lawrence felt that attempting to fabricate a performance similar to Hoffman’s would have been disastrous, and he never wished to do such a thing. Instead, he believed this approach was the most suitable way to navigate the tragic situation.

OR

Director Francis Lawrence chose not to utilize CGI technology to replicate Philip Seymour Hoffman’s performance in the film. Instead, he revised scenes and gave Hoffman’s lines to other actors. Lawrence expressed that trying to create a performance like Hoffman’s would have been disastrous, and he never desired to do so. He believed this method was the best way to handle such a distressing event.

Previously, Plemons and Hoffman collaborated on the 2012 movie “The Master,” where Plemons played Hoffman’s son. Known for his Oscar-nominated role in “The Power of the Dog,” Plemons recently graced our screens in Netflix’s “Black Mirror” episode titled “USS Callister: Into Infinity.” Among other notable appearances, you might recognize him from “Friday Night Lights,” “Killers of the Flower Moon,” “Kinds of Kindness,” and “Zero Day.” Upcoming projects include a yet-to-be-titled film directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu and “Bugonia” alongside Emma Stone, under the direction of Yorgos Lanthimos.

Erin Westerman, who shares the role of president at Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, stated, “Jesse is undeniably one of the most gifted actors of his generation, known for making thoughtful choices in the roles he takes on. We’re thrilled that he has decided to lend his unique interpretation to one of the intriguing characters from Panem. Given his prior work with Philip Seymour Hoffman, this collaboration adds an extra layer of significance. Jesse’s portrayal of Plutarch promises to be a tribute to the character fans are familiar with while also showcasing his own distinctive style. We eagerly anticipate the reaction from audiences as they witness it.

I’m thrilled to share that I’ll be part of the team for the upcoming “Hunger Games” movie, which is scheduled to start filming this July. Since 2012’s “Catching Fire,” Francis Lawrence has been at the helm, directing every installment in the series. Billy Ray, a co-writer of the original “Hunger Games,” will be penning the script this time around. The dynamic duo of Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson from Color Force will produce the film, with Cameron MacConomy serving as executive producer.

“Sunrise over the Harvest” begins by showing young Plutarch Heavensbee participating in the Tribute selection process, or the Reaping, within District 12. This book was published on March 18th and takes us back to the world of Panem, 24 years prior to the events described in “The Hunger Games.” The story unfolds on the morning of the 50th Hunger Games, a special event also known as the Second Quarter Quell.

Jacobson stated, “Jesse has been one of my top-favorite actors since I initially watched him in ‘Friday Night Lights.’ From the very beginning, it was clear that only an exceptional actor could portray a young Plutarch. Jesse was our ideal choice from the start, and we’re beyond thrilled to welcome him into the ‘Hunger Games’ family.

In its debut week, “Sunrise on the Reaping” achieved a remarkable milestone by selling an impressive 1.5 million copies across the U.S., U.K., Ireland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Among these, a staggering 1.2 million were sold in the U.S. alone – doubling the first-week sales of “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” and tripling those of “Mockingjay.

Meredith Wieck and Scott O’Brien are managing the “Sunrise on the Reaping” project at Lionsgate. Phil Strina was responsible for negotiating the studio deal. The movie is planned to hit theaters on November 20, 2026.

Plemons is represented by TalentWorks and Hirsch Wallerstein Hayum Matlof and Fishman.

Read More

2025-04-25 21:16