Elizabeth Banks has congratulated Elle Fanning on being cast as her character Effie Trinket in The Hunger Games prequel.

The Great actress will play a younger version of the character in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, which is set 24 years before the events of the original Hunger Games.

Banks, who played Effie in the four Hunger Games films, responded to the news by congratulating Fanning on continuing the fan-favourite character’s legacy.

She shared the news on her Instagram Stories alongside the caption, “Congrats @ellefanning” and six love heart emojis.

Fanning reposted the message on her own Stories timeline before sharing a picture of Banks in full Effie hair and make-up and adding, “Effie has always been my favorite!”

Sunrise on the Reaping focuses on Haymitch Abernathy, originally played by Woody Harrelson, and depicts his time as a tribute competing in the 50th annual Hunger Games tournament. Effie serves as his stylist.

Fanning joins Ralph Fiennes as President Snow, Joseph Zada as Haymitch, Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee, Maya Hawke as Wiress, Mckenna Grace as Maysilee Donner and Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Beetee.

In a statement about Fanning’s casting, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group co-president Erin Westerman said, “Elizabeth Banks made her iconic – so who could honour that legacy while bringing us back to Effie’s early, most formative days? For us, there was only one answer.

“Elle Fanning’s career has been transcendent. She has a rare presence – warm, sparkling and layered with extraordinary depth. She was the undeniable fan favourite from the start, and we’re honoured she answered the call. The odds, it turns out, were in our favour.”

Sunrise on the Reaping, which will once again be directed by Hunger Games mainstay Francis Lawrence, will be released in cinemas on 20 November 2026.

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