Elle Fanning was over the moon on receiving a heartfelt messege of support from Elizabeth Banks after landing the role of young Effie Trinket in Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.
The upcoming film is a prequel of Suzanne Collins’ novel, that takes place in Panem on the morning of reaping for the 50th Hunger Games, 24 years before the events of the first movie.
At the Academy Museum Gala, the Maleficent actress told The Hollywood Reporter, that while her other co-stars filming is still in process, "I'm almost done with my section. Effie is on the screen now."
Fanning went on to express her delight over the endorsement she got from Banks, Effie's original actress.
"I've met her before and she actually was so kind and she sent me these beautiful flowers and said, 'May the odds be ever in your favour.'"
Praising the actress, Fanning continued, "We texted a little bit. She made that role iconic and so lovable and so I hope I can live up to what she did for the fans."
In the prequel, Effie serves as the stylist for Haymitch Abernathy (Joseph Zada) ahead of the 50th game.
The film is directed by Francis Lawrence, with cast also including Whitney Peak, Mckenna Grace, Jesse Plemons, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Maya Hawke, Lili Taylor, Ben Wang, and Ralph Fiennes.
Hunger Games: Sunrise of the Reaping is set to release on November 20, 2026.