Fans of the series say they have been touting Elle Fanning to play young Effie Trinket in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping “for years,” describing the casting as completing a “prophecy.”
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The Hunger Games fandom is celebrating the casting for the upcoming film Sunrise on the Reapingwith Elle Fanning confirmed to play Effie Trinket. An announcement that isn’t all too surprising, considering the fact that fans have been “manifesting” this for “years.”
The casting announcement post on X has since garnered a huge reaction, with over 100,000 reposts and nearly 300,000 likes. Many users have been replying to the original post, claiming that the casting director “isn’t playing at all.”
Effie Trinket.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping – in theaters November 20, 2026. pic.twitter.com/zm4LIkN8eb
— The Hunger Games (@TheHungerGames) May 20, 2025
When the second prequel book was originally announced back in June 2024, it came with the news of a confirmed movie adaptation. Since then, fans have been speculating and manifesting their perfect casting for the younger versions of the trilogy’s characters.
Due to be released late next year, the story is set 24 years before the events of Suzanne Collins’s first book in The Hunger Games trilogy and follows the early lives of fan-favourites.
Fanning joins confirmed cast members Joseph Zada as Haymitch Abernathy, Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee, and Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman.
Elle Fanning cast as Effie Trinket in new Hunger Games film
Taking to Instagram to confirm her role, Fanning posted the casting announcement, and it’s safe to say that fans were very excited. “AS IT SHOULD BE!!!!” one user said, caps included. Another commented: “Please give the casting director a raise and a big hug from me.”
One person jokingly said: “Ooh so this is how men feel when their teams win the Super Bowl.”
One X user wrote: “Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket was the most accurate and universally accepted casting that has ever happened in recent years.”
Elle fanning as Effie Trinket was the most accurate and universally accepted casting that has ever happened in recent years https://t.co/Tyi8GSQHg2
— D(Benophie’s version)💌 (@daccount4576) May 28, 2025
The Hunger Games fans ‘manifested’ Elle Fanning’s role
Fans are even saying it was thanks to them that this casting happened. Commenting on Instagram, a user said: “Everyone say thank you to the fandom manifesting collective. Our powers have grown stronger.”
One user on X wrote: “Y’all have any idea that this fandom has been making young Effie edits with Elle Fanning for YEARS??? And until months ago, this was an impossible dream???”
y’all have any idea that this fandom has been making young effie edits with elle fanning for YEARS??? and until months ago this was an impossible dream??? https://t.co/NU7a9Sapgy
– Moon • Hayffie & Cangel was (@lunneardc) May 20, 2025
Another X user seemed to smash their keyboard in excitement, saying: “OH MY GOD ITS HAPPENING THE PROPHECY WE MADE IT GUYSSZBDJCJFNDJDJFN.”
OH MY GOD ITS HAPPENING THE PROPHECY WE MADE IT GUYSSZBDJCJFNDJDJFN
— Lisia is wicked 🎾 (@decodeSC) May 20, 2025
Elle Fanning says ‘fans made this happen’
Speaking to MTVFanning even agreed that “fans made this happen.” She said in an interview with Josh Horowitz that the studio was getting hounded online by fans saying she needs to be cast in the role before Fanning got the casting call-up.
Fanning added: “Effie has always been my favourite character. Elizabeth Banks brought so [many]even beyond those books, layers to that character. I got to talk to Elizabeth. We’ve texted and she said, ‘May the odds ever be in your favour.’”
Fanning also confirmed that they haven’t started filming yet, but they’re thinking about it and are hoping to make the fans happy.
When is The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping coming out?
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is set to be released on 20 November 2026, leaving fans eagerly awaiting its release. The plot starts on the morning of the reaping of the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell, and sees some intense Games with twice as many tributes taken from their homes in honour of the occasion.
Who is Effie Trinket in The Hunger Games?
Fans of the series will recognise Effie Trinket as the escort for District 12 tributes. She was there to support and offer advice to Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark in the trilogy. She was also the stylist and escort for tribute Haymitch Abernathy for his Games. It is this role that we will see Fanning bring to life in Sunrise on the Reaping.
Elizabeth Banks, who plays Effie in the original films, weighed in on Fanning stepping into the role, telling PEOPLE that she was “super excited.” Banks added that she “texted the producers as well, and I think she’s perfect.” With a nod of approval from Effie, it’s a case of waiting for the Games to begin.
