Kieran Culkin, best known for his standout role in Succession, has officially joined the cast of Lionsgate’s The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping as a young Caesar Flickerman. The casting comes after months of speculation and fan theories, with Lionsgate confirming the news via X/Twitter. Culkin is set to portray the flamboyant and charismatic television host in the upcoming prequel, which will hit theaters on November 20, 2026.
This latest film continues the expansion of The Hunger Games cinematic universe following the success of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (2023). Set decades before the events of the original Jennifer Lawrence-led films, Sunrise on the Reaping dives deeper into the dystopian world of Panem. Culkin steps into the shoes of Stanley Tucci, who famously portrayed the older version of Caesar in the original movie series.
Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Co-President Erin Westerman praised Culkin’s casting, 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: Sunrise on the Reaping – in theaters November 20, 2026. pic.twitter.com/hggGysk4Nd
— The Hunger Games (@TheHungerGames) May 21, 2025
Culkin has enjoyed a powerful resurgence in recent years, particularly for his role as Roman Roy in HBO’s Succession, which earned him widespread critical acclaim. He also took home a BAFTA Award, Golden Globe Award, and an Academy Award for his performance in A Real Pain. Fans may also remember him from classic roles like Father of the Bride (1991), or even earlier as Macaulay Culkin’s brother in Home Alone (1990). With his sharp comedic timing and dynamic screen presence, Culkin appears to be a natural fit for the eccentric and media-savvy Caesar Flickerman.
In addition to Culkin, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping will feature a star-studded lineup including Ralph Fiennes (Conclave, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows) as President Coriolanus Snow, Elle Fanning (Super 8) as Effie Trinket, Jesse Plemons (Civil War, Breaking Bad) as Plutarch Heavensbee, and Joseph Zada (Total Control) as Haymitch Abernathy. As anticipation builds, fans can look forward to seeing how this next chapter brings Suzanne Collins’ novel to life in a fresh and compelling way.
