Cooper Hoffman was never in line to inherit his late father’s Hunger Games role in the upcoming prequel. Director Francis Lawrence has explained why the 23-year-old actor was not cast as the younger Plutarch Heavensbee in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. Although he did not cast Cooper Hoffman, Lawrence spoke highly of the actor. (Photo Credit: Lionsgate)Who is playing the young version of Plutarch in the new Hunger Games prequel movie? The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping opens in theaters on November 20, 2026.