Jesse Plemons is stepping into the shoes of late actor Philip Seymour Hoffman. Plemons will star in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping as Plutarch Heavensbee, the character Hoffman portrayed in his final film roles, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay—Parts 1 and 2.
He joins stars Joseph Zada, Whitney Peak and Mckenna Grace.
Sunrise on the Reaping adapts the new novel from Hunger Games author Suzanne Collins and takes place 24 years before the events of The Hunger Games. It starts on the morning of the reaping for the 50th Hunger Games, known as the Second Quarter Quell.
The story finds Plutarch Heavensbee — a future Head Gamemaker and rebellion leader — in District 12, for the reaping of tributes. Francis Lawrence returns to direct after helming multiple features, including the prequel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
Plemons, known for his scene-stealing character work in Friday Night Lights, Fargo and Breaking Bad and features Game Night, Civil War and Killers of the Flower Moon, next has Yorgos Lanthimos’ Bugonia as well as Alejandro G. Iñárrit’s upcoming Tom Cruise movie.
“Jesse is one of the most talented actors of his generation, with a proven record of picking his roles selectively. We are honored that he has chosen to bring his own take to one of the most fascinating figures in Panem, and feel that his previous collaboration with Philip Seymour Hoffman makes it all the more special,” said Erin Westerman, co-president of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group. “His Plutarch will be both a tribute to the character fans have already come to know and a portrayal he makes his own. We can’t wait for audiences to see it.”
Color Force’s Nina Jacobson, who produces, adds “Jesse has been one of my favorite actors since I first saw him in Friday Night Lights. We knew from the start that only an actor’s actor could play a young version of Plutarch. Jesse was the dream from the start and we couldn’t be prouder to have him join the Hunger Games family.”
In addition to Jacobson, Colorforces Brad Simpson produces the film, which arrives Nov. 20, 2026.
Plemons is repped by TalentWorks and Hirsch Wallerstein.
