Glenn Close and Billy Porter are the latest high-profile additions to Lionsgate’s upcoming The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, the studio confirmed during its CineEurope presentation. The film is slated for release on November 20, 2026.
Close, an eight-time Oscar nominee, will portray Drusilla Sickle, the ruthless escort for District 12’s Tributes. Porter, a three-time Tony winner, takes on the role of Magno Stift, her estranged husband and the Tributes’ disillusioned designer. The two join an ensemble cast that includes Joseph Zada, Whitney Peak, Mckenna Grace, Jesse Plemons, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Maya Hawke, Lili Taylor, Ben Wang, Ralph Fiennes, Elle Fanning, and Kieran Culkin.
Directed by Francis Lawrence and based on Suzanne Collins’ bestselling novel, the screenplay is penned by Billy Ray. The project is produced by Color Force’s Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson, with Cameron MacConomy serving as executive producer.
Jacobson praised Close’s casting, calling her a “dream Drusilla” and noting her ability to bring depth and memorability to every role.
On Porter’s addition, she said, “Billy is one of those rare performers who can dazzle and devastate in equal measure,” referencing their previous collaboration on Pose.
The film is set 24 years before the original Hunger Games story and centres on the reaping day of the Fiftieth Hunger Games, known as the Second Quarter Quell. The novel, released in March 2025, sold 1.5 million copies in its first week globally, including 1.2 million in the U.S. alone—outpacing previous franchise installments.
Close is represented by CAA, MGMT Entertainment and Loeb & Loeb, while Porter is repped by CAA, Amplified, and Felker Toczek Suddleson McGinnis Ryan LLP. Lionsgate executives Meredith Wieck and Scott O’Brien are overseeing the project, with Robert Melnik handling negotiations.
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