Jesse Plemons Joins Hunger Games Sunrise on the Reaping as Young Plutarch Heavensbee

Jesse Plemons Joins Hunger Games Sunrise On The Reaping As Young Plutarch Heavensbee

Hold up, Hunger Games fans — we’ve got a juicy one for you. Jesse Plemons just hopped on the train to Panem, and the internet is officially freaking out.

Yep, the Breaking Bad and Killers of the Flower Moon star is suiting up for The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. And guess what? He’s stepping into the shoes of none other than Plutarch Heavensbee — the role made iconic by the late Philip Seymour Hoffman. Talk about a full-circle moment — Plemons literally played Hoffman’s son in The Master. Now he’s carrying the torch in the Hunger Games universe? That’s some tribute-level destiny.

Lionsgate confirmed the casting this week, and the fandom did not disappoint. Tweets, memes, and fan art are flying faster than Katniss’ arrows. People are calling it “spot-on,” “genius,” and “a tribute to a tribute.”

Plutarch Heavensbee.

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping – in theaters November 20, 2026. pic.twitter.com/M84vFvBYGA

— lionsgate (@Lionsgate) April 25, 2025

The film dives 24 years before Katniss ever volunteered — straight into the 50th Hunger Games, aka the Second Quarter Quell. That’s when a young Haymitch Abernathy (played by Joseph Zada) went full lone wolf in the arena and made Capitol history. Plemons’ Plutarch? He’s not the scheming Head Gamemaker just yet — he’s a Capitol cameraman documenting the madness in District 12. But you know he’s taking notes.

Also joining the cast — Mckenna Grace as Maysilee Donner (RIP in advance?) and Whitney Peak as Haymitch’s girlfriend, Lenore Dove Baird. Romantic subplot alert.

The movie drops November 20, 2026. Which means you’ve got plenty of time to reread the books, rewatch the OG series, and pretend you’re not gonna cry when Rue’s lullaby plays. Again.

Jesse Plemons in the Hunger Games? May the fan reactions be ever in your favor.