Lionsgate

Elizabeth Banks calls Elle Fanning "perfect" to play Effie Trinket in 'The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping'

By Sophia Soto | Last updated May 21, 2025 6:46 PM ET

Apparently, fans are not the only ones praising the "perfect" casting of Elle Fanning as a younger Effie Trinket in the upcoming adaptation of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. While speaking with PEOPLE, Elizabeth Banks, who originally played the character in The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and both parts of Mockingjay, said she is "super excited" to see Fanning's take on the role.

"I texted the producers as well, and I think she's perfect," Banks shared, even adding that she has already texted Fanning to discuss the news. "I think everyone's really happy. And I'm really happy about that. I'm excited for the next generation to have their Effie."

However, she admits that she has not read the novel just yet: "Please don't ask me any more about the book. I feel terrible, but I have yet to read." Then again, Banks has "got time" before November 20, 2026, which is when the movie will be released in theaters.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Hunger Games (@thehungergames)

As Lionsgate Motion Picture Group co-president Erin Westerman said, Banks made Effie "iconic," so they had to find an actress who could "honor that legacy while bringing us back to Effie’s early, most formative days." With Banks' official seal of approval, it's safe to say they succeeded.

Molly McCann, Iona Bell, Lili Taylor, Ben Wang, Ralph Fiennes, Maya Hawke, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Joseph Zada, Whitney Peak, McKenna Grace, and Jesse Plemons make up the rest of the cast.

THE HUNGER GAMES: SUNRISE ON THE REAPING will revisit the world of Panem 24 years before the events of The Hunger Games, starting on the morning of the reaping of the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.

Sunrise on the Reaping is Suzanne Collins' latest prequel in the book series. Francis Lawrence serves as director and producer, Billy Ray returns to write the screenplay, while Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson produce.

Sophia Soto

Sophia Soto is a writer and interviewer with a passion for all things entertainment. She is a Senior Reporter at The Nerds of Color and contributes to Yardbarker, Screensphere, Den of Geek, What to Watch, Nerdtropolis, and Temple of Geek. You can see her past work on Remezcla, Young Hollywood, Looper, Paste Magazine, Primetimer, Soundsphere, and Starry Constellation Magazine

More must-reads: