The Hunger Games prequel Sunrise on the Reaping might have found the actress to play a key role in the series. Sunrise on the Reaping is the latest prequel novel from Hunger Games author Suzanne Collins, and along with the announcement of a new book, a film was announced as well. There have been talks about casting for the past month since the book’s release.

Nexus Point News stated that Elle Fanning has been reportedly eyed to play the iconic Effie Trinket in the prequel film. In the Hunger Games franchise, Effie is played by Elizabeth Banks. In Sunrise on the Reaping, Effie is assisting her sister, Proserpina, as a stylist for the District 12 tributes. This is where she first meets a young Haymitch Abernathy, the film’s protagonist.

Fanning is best known for her role as Catherine the Great on the Hulu Series The Great, for which she has earned a Primetime Emmy nomination and two Golden Globes. She most recently starred in A Complete Unknown alongside Timothée Chalamet and will be seen next in Predator: Badlands.

Lionsgate has not confirmed any casting rumors discussed in the last week. It is rumored that Charlie Plummer is being eyed to play Haymitch, who was previously played by Woody Harrelson in the original franchise. Another rumor is that Ralph Fiennes has been eyed to play Coriolanus Snow, while Academy Award winner Kieran Culkin is being considered for the role of Caesar Flickerman. Emma Thompson is also being considered to play Drusilla, a “new” character who is the escort from the Capitol to District 12, which eventually becomes Effie’s job.

The film is set to be released in theaters in November 2026, and filming is set to begin this summer. Francis Lawrence, the director of every Hunger Games film besides the first one, returns to direct Sunrise on the Reaping. Another original team member is screenwriter Billy Ray, who wrote the screenplay for the first Hunger Games film.

Official casting announcements for The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping are expected to be made soon.