Kieran Culkin, renowned for his captivating performance as Roman Roy in HBO's *Succession*, has officially been cast as a young Caesar Flickerman in Lionsgate's upcoming film, *The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping*. The announcement, made via X/Twitter, puts to rest months of speculation and fan casting that had been circulating fervently online.
Set to release on November 20, 2026, *Sunrise on the Reaping* marks yet another exciting prequel in the beloved *Hunger Games* series. The story unfolds after the events of *The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes* (2023) and well before the saga that unfolded in the Jennifer Lawrence-led films of the 2010s. Culkin steps into the role previously immortalized by Stanley Tucci, bringing his own flair to the iconic character of Caesar Flickerman, the flamboyant and charismatic host of the Hunger Games.
Erin Westerman, Co-President of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “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.”
Caesar Flickerman.
— The Hunger Games (@TheHungerGames) May 21, 2025
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping – in theaters November 20, 2026. pic.twitter.com/hggGysk4Nd
Culkin's recent accolades, including a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe Award, and an Academy Award for his role in *A Real Pain*, underscore his versatility and appeal. His earlier work as a child actor in films such as *Father of the Bride* (1991) and *Home Alone* (1990), alongside his brother Macaulay Culkin, showcases the breadth of his career. His quick wit and dynamic presence make him a fitting choice for the dystopian TV host in *Sunrise on the Reaping*.
In *The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping*, Culkin will share the screen with a stellar cast including Ralph Fiennes as President Coriolanus Snow, Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket, Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee, and Joseph Zada as Haymitch Abernathy, promising a thrilling cinematic experience for fans of Suzanne Collins’ novel.
