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The next “Tribute of Panem” film has found its moderator. Because Kieran Culkin will take on the role of Caesar Flickerman. In the original trilogy, the eccentric moderator was embodied by Stanley Tucci and was a highlight of the series for many.
Kieran Culkin delivers
The figure of the Caesar Flickerman has long been more than just a supporting role and stands for the grotesque media world of the Capitol. Stanley Tucci’s representation shaped the image of the show master with eccentric hairstyle, dazzling suits and theatrical oversubscription. Now Kieran Culkin is supposed to step into his footsteps. Culkin recently became a term for many through his role as a Roman Roy in the celebrated HBO series “Succession” and in 2025 received an Oscar for his role in the Jesse-Eisenberg drama “A Real Pain”.
The new and the known
Culkin is not the only prominent newcomer in the new “Tribute of Panem” ensemble. Ralph Fiennes-known as Lord Voldemort in the “Harry Potter” series-will embody President Snow, the tyrannical dictator of Panem.
Further role distributions are now known: The somewhat more unknown actor Joseph Zada takes over the leading role of the young Haymitch Abernathy while McKenna Grace (“Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire”, “Young Sheldon”) will be seen as a Maysile thunder. Directed by Francis Lawrence, who already staged the prequel “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” and the parts two to four of the original series.
Both prequel and sequel
“The tribute of Panem: The day is on” is based on the novel of the same name, which was published in March 2025. The plot plays 24 years before the first “tribute of Panem” book, i.e. after the events of “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes”. The focus is on the youth of Haymitch Abernathy and his own participation in the 50th hunger games. The film start is planned for November 20, 2026. There is still no trailer.