Kieran Culkin is officially stepping into the spotlight as Caesar Flickerman in the upcoming Hunger Games prequel, Sunrise on the Reaping.
Known for his recent powerhouse roles in Succession and A Real Pain, Culkin, 41, is taking on the role originally made iconic by Stanley Tucci.
The prequel is set 24 years before Katniss Everdeen’s story, during the 50th Hunger Games , also known as the Second Quarter Quell. The film follows a young Haymitch Abernathy, played by newcomer Joseph Zada, as he navigates the brutal spectacle that defines the early Games.
According to Variety, producer Nina Jacobson praised Culkin’s casting, saying, “Kieran’s magnetism, wit, and unpredictability make him a perfect fit for Caesar Flickerman. A host like Caesar transforms brutality into entertainment, and an actor as layered as Kieran makes sure we don’t look away.”
Francis Lawrence, who has directed every Hunger Games film since Catching Fire, is returning to direct. The screenplay is adapted by Billy Ray, with Jacobson and Brad Simpson producing under the Color Force banner.
The film is packed with star power. Whitney Peak plays Lenore Dove Baird, Mckenna Grace takes on Maysilee Donner, and Jesse Plemons portrays a younger Plutarch Heavensbee. Maya Hawke appears as Wiress, and Kelvin Harrison Jr. joins as Beetee. Lili Taylor is cast as Mags, Ben Wang as Wyatt, Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket, and Ralph Fiennes as President Snow. Molly McCann and Iona Bell will play Louella and her Capitol-assigned double, Lou Lou, respectively.
Lionsgate co-president Erin Westerman added, “Kieran’s scene-stealing presence and undeniable charm are perfect for Caesar Flickerman, the sickeningly watchable host of Panem’s darkest spectacle. Stanley Tucci made Caesar unforgettable , and now Kieran will make the role entirely his own.”
The casting marks a high point in Culkin’s career. He recently won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in A Real Pain, and previously earned an Emmy for his standout role as Roman Roy in Succession. He’s also currently starring in a sold-out Broadway run of Glengarry Glen Ross alongside Bob Odenkirk and Bill Burr.
Sunrise on the Reaping is based on Suzanne Collins’ latest novel and is slated for release on November 20, 2026. The original Hunger Games franchise grossed more than $3.3 billion worldwide, and with this new installment, Lionsgate looks set to reignite fan interest in Panem’s dark and twisted legacy.
With Kieran Culkin now at the center of the Capitol’s media circus, fans can expect a Caesar Flickerman that’s just as flashy and disturbing , but maybe a little more unpredictable.
