Billy Porter joins The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping

Billy Porter and Glenn Close have been added to the ensemble of Liongate's forthcoming addition to the Hunger Games universe, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.

A star-studded cast, lead by Whitney Peak and Joseph Zada, includes Porter and Close.

Deadline and other trade publications have reported that Close will portray Drusilla Sickle, an escort to the District 12 Tributes with malevolent intentions. Porter will portray Magno Stift, the estranged husband of Drusilla Sickle and the designer of the Tributes who is in need of inspiration. The announcement of their casting will be made during Lionsgate's presentation at CineEurope.

“Glenn Close is a dream Drusilla,” said producer Nina Jacobson. “She brings so much of her intellect and imagination to each role, creating characters who are unforgettable and iconic. I think Glenn and Francis will have a ball bringing Drusilla from the page to the screen.”

Of Porter’s casting, she stated, “Billy is one of those rare performers who can dazzle and devastate in equal measure on stage and screen. He made an indelible impression on me when we worked together on Pose, both as an actor and a human being. Casting this show has felt like winning the lottery every time one of our idols said yes to us. To be able to announce Glenn Close and Billy Porter together is an embarrassment of riches that we can all celebrate.” 

The film will feature Close and Porter in addition to Zada and Peak, as well as Mckenna Grace, Jesse Plemons, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Maya Hawke, Lili Taylor, Ben Wang, Ralph Fiennes, Elle Fanning, and Kieran Culkin.

In addition to Zada and Peak, the film will include Close and Porter, as well as Mckenna Grace, Jesse Plemons, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Maya Hawke, Lili Taylor, Ben Wang, Ralph Fiennes, Elle Fanning, and Kieran Culkin.

The book commences on the morning of the Fiftieth Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell, in the fictitious Panem, 24 years prior to the events of the first Hunger Games.
On November 20, 2026, the film directed by Francis Lawrence will be released in theaters.