Kieran Culkin Cast as Caesar Flickerman in 'The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping'

Succession star Kieran Culkin has been officially cast as a young Caesar Flickerman in Lionsgate's upcoming film adaptation of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. The announcement, which came after months of speculation, was confirmed by Lionsgate on X/Twitter, putting to rest the swirling rumors about who would take on the role of the iconic Hunger Games TV host.

Sunrise on the Reaping is the latest prequel in the Hunger Games series, set after the events of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (2023) and well before the original Hunger Games films led by Jennifer Lawrence, which concluded in 2015. With Stanley Tucci's memorable portrayal of Caesar Flickerman in the earlier films, Culkin now steps into the role to depict a younger version of the character.

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.”

The announcement was shared on social media with the caption:

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’s recent success in television and film, particularly his acclaimed role as Roman Roy in Succession and as Benji Kaplan in A Real Pain—which earned him a BAFTA, a Golden Globe, and an Academy Award—has solidified his reputation for quick wit and compelling performances. His earlier work as a child actor in films like Father of the Bride (1991) and Home Alone (1990), where he starred alongside his brother Macaulay Culkin, further underscores his versatility and appeal.

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is slated for release on November 20, 2026. The film will adapt Suzanne Collins’ novel of the same name, featuring an ensemble cast that includes Ralph Fiennes as President Coriolanus Snow, Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket, Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee, and Joseph Zada as Haymitch Abernathy, among others.