Elizabeth Banks, with genuine enthusiasm, responded to the news of Ellie Fanning assuming the beloved character of Effie Trinket in the upcoming prequel series, "The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping." Effie, originally portrayed by Banks, served as the charming escort for District 12's Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) in the original film saga.
At the glittering premiere of her new series, "The Better Sister," held in the bustling streets of New York City, Banks expressed her exhilaration at witnessing the "Maleficent" star embrace the role. "I'm absolutely thrilled," she beamed to People Magazine. "I even reached out to the producers, conveying my belief that she's the perfect fit."
The "Pitch Perfect" actress further revealed that she had personally texted Fanning to share in the exciting turn of events. "I sense a collective joy among us all. And I, for one, am overjoyed about this transition. I'm eagerly anticipating the next generation's interpretation of Effie," she said with a radiant smile.
The 51-year-old starlet then candidly admitted that she had yet to delve into the novel bearing the same title, playfully pleading, "Please spare me any more questions about the book. I feel absolutely terrible, but it's still on my to-read list."
"Sunrise on the Reaping," set years prior to the events chronicled in the "The Hunger Games" movies, shines a spotlight on Haymitch Abernathy's (now portrayed by Joseph Zada, originally by Woody Harrelson) harrowing journey through the Games. Joining Fanning and Zada in this star-studded sequel are Maya Hawke, Ralph Fiennes, Mckenna Grace, Jesse Plemons, Kieran Culkin, Whitney Peak, among a host of other talented actors.
