“Fans Made This Happen”: Elle Fanning Revealed How Years Of Online Commentary Actually Influenced Her Casting In “The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping”

    Elle playing Effie has been described as “the most accurate and universally accepted” book-to-movie casting ever. And I have to agree.

    Ellen Durney
    by Ellen Durney

    BuzzFeed Staff

    When it was revealed this year that Elle Fanning would be playing Effie Trinket in the film adaptation of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, the announcement was both incredibly exciting and not all that surprising.

    Gisela Schober / Getty Images, ©Lions Gate/Courtesy Everett Collection

    Sunrise on the Reaping is the second prequel book in Suzanne Collins’s Hunger Games novel series, and is set 24 years before the events of the first book in the original trilogy. The book — which hit shelves in March 2025 — and its accompanying movie adaptation were announced back in June 2024, and fans had already locked in their ideal castings for the prequel’s younger versions of beloved characters like Haymitch Abernathy, Plutarch Heavensbee, Caesar Flickerman, and, of course, Effie Trinket.

    Three actors in dystopian outfits on stage, one giving a peace salute. Middle actor wears an ornate dress with a headpiece, holding a microphone
    ©Lions Gate/Courtesy Everett Collection

    For context, Effie features heavily in the original Hunger Games trilogy as the escort and advisor to the District 12 tributes. And in Sunrise on the Reaping, a younger Effie is a stylist for Haymitch, who is preparing to participate in the 50th Hunger Games as the District 12 tribute.

    If you’re familiar with The Hunger Games, you’ll know that Effie — who was portrayed in the OG movies by Elizabeth Banks — is quite the fashionista. So, when it came to casting a younger Effie for Sunrise on the Reaping, minds went straight to Elle, who fans think has always been “giving Effie Trinket energy.”

    Person in a casual white tee and floral headscarf posing confidently at an event, surrounded by photographers on a busy red carpet
    Stephane Cardinale - Corbis / Getty Images

    Which brings us to May 20, when Elle’s casting as Effie was confirmed. The official announcement received 295,000 likes and over 100,000 reposts on X, so, it’s safe to say that people were very pleased and thankful that the casting directors actually heard their pleas.

    Effie Trinket.

    The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping – in theaters November 20, 2026. pic.twitter.com/zm4LIkN8eb

    — The Hunger Games (@TheHungerGames) May 20, 2025
    Lionsgate / Twitter: @TheHungerGames
    “y'all have any idea that this fandom has been making young effie edits with elle fanning for YEARS??? and until months ago this was an impossible dream???” one X post in response to the announcement read.

    “Casting director deserves an Oscar alone for what he’s done here,” added another fan, while someone else wrote: “OH MY GOD ITS HAPPENING THE PROPHECY WE MADE IT GUYSSZBDJCJFNDJDJFN.”

    “Elle fanning as Effie Trinket was the most accurate and universally accepted casting that has ever happened in recent years,” echoed someone else.

    And now, Elle has weighed in on the discourse surrounding her casting, revealing that the online campaigning from fans definitely influenced her landing the job.

    Two characters from a movie scene, one in elaborate period costume and wig with a quirky style, and the other wearing a simple dress, standing with a microphone
    ©Lions Gate/Courtesy Everett Collection

    During a new interview with Josh Horowitz for MTV, Elle was asked about her “perfect casting” in the upcoming project, to which she said: “It was funny, 'cause I think fans kind of made this happen in a way. The studio said they were getting kind of hounded online, like, ‘Elle needs to play Effie’... So they called.”

    MTV / Via youtu.be

    And it’s not just the fans who are pleased with Elle’s casting; Elizabeth Banks is very much on board, too. When Elle was announced as Effie, Elizabeth contacted her directly with celebratory flowers and told People: “I’m super excited. I texted the producers as well, and I think she’s perfect.”

    Three people in stylish, extravagant costumes walk on a stone path, evoking a fictional, theatrical setting
    ©Lions Gate/Courtesy Everett Collection

    Speaking with MTV, Elle expressed how thrilled she is to be following in Elizabeth’s footsteps. “I’m a huge fan, and Effie has always been my favorite character,” she said. “I think Elizabeth Banks is— she brought so much, even beyond the books, like, layers to that character. I love her, and I have [gotten] to talk to Elizabeth. We’ve texted, and she sent me flowers and said, ‘May the odds be in your favor.’”

    The movie is due to begin shooting this summer and is currently set to hit theaters on Nov. 20, 2026. Giving some behind-the-scenes insight, Elle said: “I haven’t started filming yet, but we’re thinking [about it] and hopefully making the fans happy.”

    Actor on red carpet in an elegant, strapless, beaded gown with floral patterns, smiling at an event
    Jb Lacroix / Getty Images

    As you may have seen, Elle’s participation in Sunrise on the Reaping isn’t the only fan-casting for the movie that became a reality. You can read a breakdown of who’s playing who in the upcoming movie adaptation here.