Elizabeth Banks has given her stamp of approval to Elle Fanning, who is set to play Effie Trinket in the upcoming Hunger Games movie, "The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping". Banks, who played the role in four movies between 2012 and 2015, expressed her excitement and support for Fanning taking over the iconic character.

"I'm super excited," Banks said in an interview. "I texted the producers as well, and I think she's perfect." The actress also confirmed that she has already reached out to Fanning to discuss the role.

Banks, who is currently promoting her new show "The Better Sister" on Prime Video, admitted that she hasn't read Suzanne Collins' novel of the same name, on which the movie is based. However, she expressed her enthusiasm for the next generation to have their own Effie.

Lionsgate Motion Picture Group co-president Erin Westerman reflected on the importance of finding the right person to play Effie. "From the moment Suzanne released the book, one question echoed from fans around the world: Who will play Effie?" Westerman said. "Elizabeth Banks made her iconic — so who could honor that legacy while bringing us back to Effie's early, most formative days?"

Fanning, 27, joins a star-studded cast, including Joseph Zada as Haymitch Abernathy, in the prequel, which takes place years before the events of the original movies. The movie is set to be released in November 2026. For more entertainment news, check out these related articles:

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Image Credits: Murray Close/Lionsgate/Courtesy Everett; Monica Schipper/Getty

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Lionsgate Motion Picture Group co-president Erin Westerman reflected on the importance of finding the right person to play Effie.