McKenna Grace Reveals Josh Hutcherson Gave Her Hunger Games Advice

by

The Hunger Games family bond runs deep.

With her new movie, Sunrise on the Reaping, about to come out, McKenna Grace has been getting advice from Josh Hutcherson, who starred in The Hunger Games and also appeared with her in Five Nights at Freddy’s 2. She’s seeking his guidance on handling the attention that comes with being in such a popular series.

McKenna, 19, recently told TopMob News that she and Josh became close while touring together. “I kept asking him about his arena tour and if it was as crazy as ours,” she said, “and he confirmed it definitely was.” She shared this at the Coach Fall 2026 show on February 11th.

Fans will have to wait a bit longer to see the story unfold, but the movie is based on the 2025 novel by Suzanne Collins. It focuses on a young Haymitch Abernathy, played by Joseph Zada, and his participation in the 50th Hunger Games – also known as the Second Quarter Quell. This event takes place over two decades before the original Hunger Games series. McKenna plays Maysilee Donner, who competes alongside Haymitch from District 12.

Let me tell you, the cast for this upcoming film is absolutely incredible – we’re talking Whitney Peak, Glenn Close, Elle Fanning, Ralph Fiennes, Jesse Plemons, Kieran Culkin, and Billy Porter! Everyone is bringing their absolute best to their roles. In fact, I’ve heard from the director that you might want to bring tissues with you when it comes out in November – it’s that emotionally impactful.

The actress from Regretting You told Collider last fall that audiences will likely be very emotional while watching the film. She described it as a difficult watch, explaining that even though she plays a somewhat unpleasant character, seeing her co-star perform is incredibly moving and impactful.

One of the most impactful moments will likely be seeing what happened to Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson’s characters, Katniss and Peeta, after the rebellion, as Sunrise on the Reaping offers a look at their lives. It’s currently unknown if Woody Harrelson will reprise his role as Haymitch.

Josh, age 33, has often talked about how close the cast of The Hunger Games remains, even after finishing the original four films. He told TopMob News back in 2015 that they’ve all stayed friends since filming wrapped.

One particularly emotional moment will likely be seeing what happened to Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson’s characters, Katniss and Peeta, after the rebellion in Sunrise on the Reaping. It’s currently unclear if Woody Harrelson will reprise his role as Haymitch and join them.

Josh, age 33, has often talked about how close the cast of The Hunger Games remains, even after finishing the first four movies. He told TopMob News back in 2015 that they’ve all stayed friends since filming ended.

The actor from I Love LA said it’s great that the cast can still spend time together even when they’re not filming. He explained that even though the show is over, they’re all still friends and continue to hang out, so it’s not a sad situation at all.

Find out everything you need to know about Sunrise on the Reaping before it hits theaters on November 20th.

A little birdie, er mockingjay, revealed the movie will be released November 20, 2026.

This book is a prequel to The Hunger Games, set 24 years before Katniss Everdeen’s story begins. It opens on the day of the reaping for the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell. According to author Suzanne Collins, the story finds the districts of Panem filled with fear. This year, the Quarter Quell will select twice as many tributes. In District 12, Haymitch Abernathy is focused on surviving the day and being with his loved one, trying not to dwell on his odds.

I’m so excited to share that Joseph Zada is taking over the role of Haymitch Abernathy! Woody Harrelson did an amazing job in the previous Hunger Games films, but I think Joseph will bring a fresh take to the character. And for those who don’t know him, he’s already had some great roles – I’ve seen him in We Were Liars, Invisible Boys, Total Control, and The Speedway Murders. I can’t wait to see what he does with this part!

Whitney Peak will portray Lenore Dove Baird, Haymitch’s girlfriend. Peak is known for her roles in several TV series, including the Gossip Girl reboot, Home Before Dark, and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. She’s also appeared in films like Campfire Kiss, Molly’s Game, and Hocus Pocus 2.

I’m so excited to see Mckenna Grace as Maysilee Donner! I’ve been a fan of hers for years – it’s amazing to watch her grow up on screen. I first noticed her on Disney’s Crash & Bernstein, and she’s been consistently impressive ever since, even taking on roles in The Young and the Restless and the fantastic film Gifted (she deserved that Critics Choice Award!). Seriously, her filmography is packed with great work – she’s been in I, Tonya, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Annabelle Comes Home, and The Bad Seed. And her TV work is just as strong! I was completely captivated by her in The Haunting of Hill House, and she even earned an Emmy nomination for The Handmaid’s Tale. I can’t wait to see what she does with this role!

Jesse Plemons is stepping into the role of Plutarch Heavensbee, previously played by the late Philip Seymour Hoffman in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and the Mockingjay films. Plemons is a highly acclaimed actor, having received an Oscar nomination for The Power of the Dog and Emmy nominations for his work in Love & Death, Black Mirror, and Fargo – where he met his partner, Kirsten Dunst. He’s also appeared in notable films and series such as Killers of the Flower Moon, The Irishman, Battleship, and Breaking Bad.

Kelvin Harrison Jr. will be playing Beetee, the winner of the 74th Hunger Games and father of Ampert Latier, a tribute in the 50th Games. Jeffrey Wright previously portrayed the character in earlier Hunger Games films.

Though many know Kelvin Harrison Jr. from his roles in movies and TV shows like Genius, Chevalier, Waves, Luce, and It Comes at Night, he’s also lent his voice to animated projects, including Mufasa: The Lion King.

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I was absolutely thrilled to hear Maya Hawke is joining the cast as Wiress! Amanda Plummer truly made that character memorable in Catching Fire, and I have a feeling Maya will bring something special to the role. It’s exciting to see such a talented actress – following in the footsteps of her incredibly famous parents, Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke – taking on such a complex character. You might already know her from her fantastic work as Jo March in Little Women, Eleanor in Do Revenge, Anxiety in Inside Out 2, or, of course, as the beloved Robin in Stranger Things. She’s a seriously versatile performer, and I can’t wait to see what she does with this part!

I was so excited to hear that Lili Taylor is taking on the role of Mags in The Hunger Games! It’s a part that was originally played so beautifully by the late Lynn Cohen in Catching Fire, and I know Lili will bring a lot of depth to it. She’s an incredibly talented actress – I’ve been a fan since Mystic Pizza and Say Anything, and she was fantastic in Six Feet Under and American Crime – she even earned an Emmy nomination for those roles! Honestly, with a filmography that also includes The Conjuring and I Shot Andy Warhol, she’s proven she can handle anything.

Wyatt Callow, a tribute from District 12, is played by Ben Wang. Wang is also known for his roles in several other projects, including the new Hunger Games movie, Karate Kid: Legends, the Mean Girls musical film, Good Egg, Sight, and American Born Chinese.

Ralph Fiennes portrays President Snow, the ruler of Panem, a role previously held by Tom Blyth in The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes and the late Donald Sutherland in Catching Fire and the Mockingjay films.

Fiennes is a highly acclaimed actor with three Oscar nominations for his performances in Conclave, The English Patient, and Schindler’s List. He’s also been nominated for seven BAFTA Awards, recognizing his work in films like The Grand Budapest Hotel, Coriolanus, The Constant Gardener, and The End Of The Affair. Additionally, he received an Emmy nomination for his role in Bernard And Doris.

 

Molly McCann plays the role of Louella, a tribute from District 12. The actress has a growing list of credits, including appearances in TV series like Bad Sisters, The Hardacres, The Boy That Never Was, and Star Wars: Visions. She’s also been in films such as Herself, Freelance, Never Grow Old, and Feed.

Iona Bell plays Lou Lou, who looks just like Louella. You might recognize Bell from her roles in films like Fing!, Savage Flowers, and Frayed, as well as the TV show Mandrake.

Many people are curious about who will play Effie Trinket in the new movie. While Elizabeth Banks previously played the role in The Hunger Games films, Elle Fanning is now taking on the character. In Sunrise on the Reaping, she’s Haymitch Abernathy’s stylist before the 50th Hunger Games.

Elle Fanning started acting alongside her sister, Dakota Fanning, in the 2001 film I Am Sam, and has since appeared in several popular movies like Maleficent, Somewhere, Super 8, The Beguiled, and A Complete Unknown.

She’s also had success on television, starring in The Girl from Plainville and The Great, for which she received an Emmy nomination.

Stanley Tucci famously played Caesar Flickerman in the Hunger Games movies, but the franchise has now cast Kieran Culkin to take on the role. Culkin started his acting career as a child, appearing in films like Home Alone alongside his brother Macaulay Culkin, as well as Father of the Bride and She’s All That. After a break, he returned to acting with roles in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, Infinity Baby, the hit TV series Succession, and A Real Pain, earning him his first Oscar nomination.

Glenn Close is taking on the mean-spirited energy of District 12 tributes’ escort Drusilla Sickle.

In a statement released on June 16th, producer Nina Jacobs praised actress Glenn, calling her a “dream Drusilla.” Jacobs highlighted Glenn’s ability to bring intelligence and creativity to her roles, resulting in memorable and iconic characters.

Before landing her latest role, the actress impressed audiences in movies like Fatal Attraction, The Wife, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Hillbilly Elegy.

Billy Porter played Magno Stift, the estranged husband of Drusilla and the designer creating the outfits for the District 12 tributes. He was known for getting ideas for his designs from live reptiles.

Nina was particularly impressed by Billy’s performance in Pose. He even won an award for it – Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 2019 – for playing the character Pray Tell.

In a statement released on June 16th, she described Billy as a remarkably talented performer who can be both captivating and deeply moving. She fondly remembered working with him on Pose, praising him not only as an actor but also as a person who left a lasting impression.

He’s appeared in several popular projects, such as American Horror Story, Cinderella, and The Broken Hearts Club: A Romantic Comedy.

Francis Lawrence is a seasoned director, known for previously working on The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and both parts of Mockingjay. Beyond that franchise, he’s directed films like Slumberland, See, and Red Sparrow starring Jennifer Lawrence. He’s also directed popular music videos for artists including Beyoncé (“Run the World (Girls)”), Lady Gaga (“Bad Romance”), Britney Spears (“Circus”), and Jennifer Lopez (“Jenny From the Block”).

Billy Ray is well-known to the series, as he previously directed the first film based on Suzanne Collins’ novel. He’s also worked on movies like Terminator: Dark Fate, Flightplan, and Captain Phillips, earning an Oscar nomination for the latter. Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson are producing the new film, Sunrise on the Reaping, with Cameron MacConomy as executive producer.

Read More

2026-02-12 22:48