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Winnipeg Free Press
02-07-2025
- Winnipeg Free Press
Your thoughts on Winnipeg's new transit network: Free Press readers share their good and bad experiences, suggestions for improvement
Winnipeg Transit riders have flooded our online feedback form with their experiences using the new network. Here's a selection of what we heard. Comments have been edited for length, clarity and to remove identifying personal information. Beefs and bouquets for the new transit network came from readers across the city. Effie, St. Boniface: I take buses everywhere, and I understand the confusion and frustration of some who utilize transit; however, my experience is a pleasant one so far. In the couple of minutes it took me to walk to the bus stop, which is less than a block away from my home, two buses passed me. The improved frequency and faster arrival times feel like relief. My only worry is to see how it will keep up when I am in need of a less direct route, or how the new system will run once winter hits and inclement weather causes traffic issues. Pat, Riverbend: My husband and I decided to try the #31 bus to The Forks. It was a great experience. We have never taken a bus to The Forks with the old routes (too convoluted a trip). We are amazed that we can take the #31 bus to connect to the FX2, which would take us all the way to St. Vital Centre. There are destinations that might be more difficult for us by bus, but our first experience was very positive. Khushpreet, The Maples: My experience with the new network is very good. I am happy as now only one bus will go to my work in less time as compared to the old system. Previously I had to take two buses and it took more time. Moreover, my work is on weekends; in the old network, no bus ran on weekends to my work but now there is one. Overall, I am happy with new network. Barbara, Burrows Central: I took the #28 southbound to downtown this morning at 6:30 a.m.. I then transferred to a bus on Portage Avenue to go to the Radisson Starbucks for my morning brew — route was quicker than the old #15! And with a new view — always good for my old brain cells! I called 311 to plan my unique morning, which required me to go to Red River Polytechnic's Notre Dame campus. The lovely 311 operator, gave me prompt and accurate information on how to get there from downtown. I got to the campus with time to spare. The route back allowed me to go to Kildonan Place mall in one swell swoop! Amazing! Please tell (manager of Winnipeg Transit service development) Bjorn Radstrom I am impressed! As a daily transit user, I look forward to seeing more of this progress! Biya, Downtown: I used my very first bus by new network. I went to my work at airport. The new network is faster and felt easy for me. Jay, Downtown: I was going from the airport to downtown. I was surprised at how often the buses came: I just missed the first one, but the next came in about 10 minutes. Before the change, the buses could take the better part of an hour. I wish there were a primary line between the airport and Polo Park, since the #224 Sherwin-Valour doesn't run there on evenings or weekends and the airport is not in an on-request zone. Rob, Westwood: I travelled the first Blue express out of Unicity. Way better and more efficient/quicker. Other riders should know their route or have transit map available. The only issue was: I was the only one on a 60-foot bus past Polo Park. But hey, it was early Sunday morning. Thanks for the new system Charlene, Wolseley: I caught the D11 at on Maryland and got off at Corydon as I previously would on the #29, and then caught the D11 up to Sargent on the way back and got off at the same stop. Fairly straightforward. Marcie, Polo Park: I work an evening shift till 11 p.m., now this new system is going to get me home almost twice as late as the old system. The bus doesn't stop at the stops closes to my house anymore — they are still active stops, but the bus I need to take doesn't stop there, so I have to walk twice as far to get home. Double the walking time in –40, trudging through the snow and freezing cold late at night and getting home much later, how is that more efficient? Maybe more efficient for places that don't get the winters that we do. Helen, Crestview: The bus stop closest to my home is being eliminated. I have to walk more than twice the distance to go to Unicity or Grace Hospital. I am old and have health issues making walking a problem. Tim, Niakwa Park: Under the old system it took me 40 minutes on one bus to get to work: 32 minutes on the bus, eight minutes walk time and no wait time). New system: 50 mins total with 21 mins on two buses, 23 minutes of walking time and six minutes of wait time. I expect residents in my neighborhood will not like this decreased level of service. Muriel, Riverbend: I am a senior who lives near Chief Pegius Trail on Main Street. It is not an out-of-the-way location. I have medical appointments at the Winnipeg Clinic, located downtown on St. Mary Avenue. For many years, I have been able to catch one bus on Main Street that has taken me right opposite the Winnipeg Clinic in 20 to 25 minutes. I have an appointment later this week at the Winnipeg Clinic and therefore was using the Navigo app to plan my trip to the Winnipeg Clinic. What a shock! It will now take me anywhere from 45 to 55 minutes and as many as three buses to reach my destination, with walking and waiting in between. Getting on and off buses isn't easy for seniors with mobility issues. Some transfers involve waiting in some sketchy areas of the city. The mayor has said he doesn't want to make this new transit schedule worse for anyone. Well, as I have described here, I would like to know how this new system is better for me. Spish, Corydon: I thought these new buses were supposed to come closer together? Mine came 30 minutes apart and the one I chose to take this morning was late. I ended up being 15 minutes late to work this morning. And for some reason I can't take the same route back home. I have to take two buses now. It's faster for me to walk to work than it is to take the bus. Jimmy, Island Lakes: It takes the same amount of time for me to get to and from work as before, but now I have to take two buses instead of one — and I have to wait for my second bus in a part of town I would rather avoid. I don't see this as a positive. Bradley, Polo Park: I have been using transit, either daily or weekly, for decades, going from the Polo Park area to downtown, the University of Winnipeg or Exchange District or one of the Red River Polytechnic campuses. I am one of those whose commute is now longer. I could always get one bus to where I needed to go… now, I have to get off, walk a block, cross major intersections, and transfer to a new bus. Plus, my new stop downtown has no shelter or even a wind break, and it is right next to Portage and Main, the windiest spot in Winnipeg! Even today in the summer, the breeze was whipping by. What will it be like in winter at –30 with a windchill, having to wait 10 minutes for a transfer with no shelter?! I can tell, it will be horrible. While I understand that for many this may improve their commute, for me, it has made it longer, more work and less safe. Lee, Elmwood: My commute used to only take 25-30 minutes by bus, but the routes themselves now appear to average about 45 minutes and are contingent on at least one transfer. I only take the bus to go to and from work but as this is significantly lengthening my time I will be cycling throughout the summer as it only takes me 25 minutes. In winter I will likely carpool instead of busing; as a parent of a young child it's too much extra time from the evenings to be spending waiting for buses. I do not plan on spending nearly two hours on a bus each day, nearly doubling my commute time. Tuva, Windsor Park: Do not get stuck downtown after 11 p.m. I was trying to bus home from a friend's place and realized that there are no buses running at all to take me to my part of town. The only route i could find involved 57 minutes of walking. Ended up stranded downtown last night. Most of the buses used to run so much later. Adair, Wolseley: I used to be able to get to the University of Manitoba from Wolseley on one bus, a super express (#36). In the mornings it ran every 10 minutes. If I missed it, there were multiple other options with a transfer that came regularly — I'd just jump on the #29 or #635 to a rapid transit station and catch a blue line from there. Now? No direct route to the university. Bus only runs every 30 minutes. Not express. With my transfer this has added an extra 20+ minutes to my commute. I had to walk 2,000 steps before I was on my bus to my final destination. Time between transfers also wasn't aligned and I missed my transfer as well. I'm really concerned how this will be once fall starts and traffic to the university on transit increases. Marianne, Windsor Park: I work evenings, and now I can't take a bus home at my stop in Norwood that would have been the #19. The new bus is finished at 11:30 p.m. when I'm done work, so I end up in St. Vital waiting there and who knows what can happen with all the crime. I will not get back home to Windsor Park until 1 a.m. That's not good in the winter; not happy at all. Jashanpreet, The Maples: I used to take any bus #33, #34, #35 or #36 from The Maples and it took me only 25 minutes to reach to reach my work in the Pacific Industrial Park area. But now I take two connecting buses, early at 7 a.m., and then have to wait 14 minutes for F5 to reach the Logan and McPhillips bus stop and 15 minutes walking from the bus stop to my workplace. It takes almost an hour now. It's not convenient. Harkanwal, The Maples: I could reach my destination within 20 minutes using the old bus system. Now, with the new system, I have to take two buses and wait around 15 minutes between them, which makes the trip longer and more difficult. In the evenings, the F5 buses are extremely crowded, often with no seats available, which makes commuting even more uncomfortable. Additionally, if I miss one bus, I have to wait up to 30 minutes for the next one. With the upcoming winter, this new system is simply not convenient at all. Giday, West Broadway: I had to walk to work on Monday. Not sure how I will survive in the winter. I used to take #17 to work, or take #20 or #10, then catch #33 at The Bay. Now they're all gone, without any replacement to those previous lines. Ron, Meadowood: I previously used the #55 bus to go from my residence to Canada Life Centre for Jets hockey games during the long, cold winter months. Short walk from my residence to a bus shelter, one-bus service to Canada Life Centre, same route coming home. Save on parking, take a car off the road and support transit ridership. Well, thank you to city planners, all that is gone, replaced by a nice, cold 15-to 20-minute walk to St. Anne's Road to catch a bus and then another long walk to go home. They replaced the #55 with the #552 Aldgate-Meadowood: limited hours of service, no Saturday or Sunday service. You want to encourage ridership on transit, I think not! Graeson, West Kildonan: I used transit to get to work. What used to be a 20-minute bus ride has turned into an hour-long fiasco of transfers. The wait times are shorter, yes, but it shouldn't take me an hour to get from northern McPhillips Street back to my area. Martin, Downtown: I used the new network on Monday. I used to walk three minutes to bus stop on Portage Avenue, then catch bus #55 to St. Vital for work. Now I have to walk 10 minutes and take two buses to get to the same destination. My commute has increased in time and now I have to change buses. I hear everyone is unhappy. Everyone has to walk longer and take at least two buses to get to their destinations. Why would anyone think this new network is better? JD, Chalmers neighbourhood: I used to take bus #43 right in front of my office from Provencher Avenue to Ottawa Avenue. Now I have to walk for five minutes to take FX4, which drops me off (eight blocks away) at Chalmers Avenue and walk for 18 minutes to get home. This is horrible. I hate the new bus system. What happens in winter? Are people expected to walk 18 minutes in the brutal cold? This was not thought out properly at all. Halie, Polson: I used the network on June 29. I was going to my place of work. This system isn't as good. I have to take two buses just to get to work. The second one I need to get is the #28 Arlington-Stafford and one area is under construction so it doesn't go in that area yet. Which is stupid to continue with the bus changes when there is still construction going on. Ako, Pembina Strip: I used to take bus #95 from Fort Rouge station to Riverview Health Centre, which is no longer available. Now I have to take #895 Morley from Jubilee station, but there is no coordination between the Winnipeg Transit app schedule and the time the bus arrives. Also, the last bus in the morning leaves Jubilee at 8:20 a.m., and many other passengers and I need a bus after that time. Another option for me was the 16, which is not available now. Before, I could get to work by taking just two buses, but now I have to take four, and they don't arrive at the scheduled time. There is a higher risk of missing a bus when I have to take four instead of two. Harpreet, The Maples: I live in north end of the city and I have to bus to University of Manitoba. There was an express bus (#36) that I used to take in the morning and would take 45-50 minutes to reach there and there was no hassle to go to downtown and switch any buses. And it was easy to come back home, too, with the #36. Since it changed, now I have to drive in order to save time. The new route and bus stops are complicated. I have to get into three buses to reach school. And now it will take 1 hour and 30-40 minutes, which doesn't make sense. It's not convenient at all, especially for students like me! Mili, The Maples: Very bad experience. The previous route was much better as I was taking one bus. The new (network), I have to take two buses and one of them doesn't have much service. Bring back the #33! Nikki, Elmwood: I am a a health care worker and this new route is crazy. Instead of walking one minute to the hospital, now I need to walk 11 minutes, lucky, on weekends from City Hall to William. Thank you, Winnipeg Transit, for making my life harder. Noah, Osborne Village: I think the system has potential. But the neighborhood feeder routes and direct routes need more frequency for the transfers to work. They also need to run buses later, especially for healthcare workers. Denai, North Kildonan: Not Enough F8 Henderson buses at all. This used to be the most reliable bus in the city, as the #11 Kildonan/Polo Park. Now it only runs during the day every 16 minutes and every 28 minutes on the weekends. Terrible. A lot of people that take that bus are on summer holidays now. Those buses are gonna be packed come September. And what happened to the express buses? Where's our FX express bus? Something to consider in the near future for sure. Noah, Old Kildonan: This network was made for big cities, Winnipeg is not one. We need more busses within our own communities, not feeder systems that don't run the normal transit schedule. How are folks supposed to leave their neighbourhoods and get to the transfers they need when the routes they need end earlier? Want to share your experience using Winnipeg Transit's new system? Fill out our online feedback form.
Scotsman
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Whispers in the Glen by Sue Lawrence review: 'an unusual novel'
Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... This is an engaging and agreeable novel, an unusual one, too, with a strong narrative and for the most part pleasant and credible characters. It is set mostly in Glen Clova in Angus, though some chapters are set in France. It has a double time-frame, the story being set partly in the First World War, partly in the Second. What is unusual is that we move between these two periods from the beginning, and it is not immediately clear why the author has chosen this arrangement. It soon makes sense, however, and proves very effective. Glen Clova | Getty Images In the first chapter the two main protagonists are middle-aged, neither married. Effie - Euphemia - is the village schoolmistress while Nell is serving as the wartime postie, also helping in the bar at the local hotel. Effie, though a kind and understanding teacher, is grumpy at home. You soon suspect that something has gone wrong in her life. Nell seems much more at ease, much happier. Their mother is long, somewhat mysteriously dead. Their father, the local dominie, is shown in the First World War passages to have been harsh and disagreeable. Is there something mysterious about his wife's death? Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Somewhat surprisingly, both Effie and Nell are fluent French-speakers. In the First World War passages this is soon explained: Nell is working as a nurse in a field hospital in France, the work and conditions being well described. One officer, himself from Angus, is disagreeable, but put in his place by a crippled French chef. Meanwhile, back in Glen Clova, Effie spends part of the First World War working on an aunt's form. She has a harsh experience which colours or rather discolours her life. Then, in the Second World War, there is a plane crash at the top of the Glen, an event which comes with consequences. However, the author eschews most violent drama; this is a very sane novel. Lawrence has evident sympathy and affection for her characters, and the evocation of rural Scotland a hundred years ago is engaging, pleasing with its echoes of JM Barrie's Thrums, though there is none of the sentimentality for so long associated with the Kailyard. Sensibly, Lawrence has chosen not to attempt to try to reproduce the language of rural Scots a hundred years ago, and to write in Standard English. Nevertheless, her feeling for the life of the Angus Glens rings agreeably true. This is a quiet novel, agreeably persuasive, and this makes its occasional violent, even vicious, moments all the more telling. It is, I suppose, a feminist book, though not stridently so. There are two deplorable men, the girls' father and a Kirriemuir man, the officer first met by Nell in France who has more than a touch of the villain about him. He is necessary to the plot, and, though unpleasant, not exaggeratedly so. In general the novel is suffused by a sense of decency and kindness, rare in fiction today, and it brings this off without a trace of sentimentality. In short, Lawrence has written an admirable novel with persuasive characters, the treatment of the two sisters being as convincing as it is agreeable. If the ending proves a bit on the sentimental side, its generosity is convincing.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
HarrisX Research Honored with Two 2025 Effie Awards, Fuels Award-Winning Saucony Marathumb Challenge
WASHINGTON, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- HarrisX is proud to announce its role in the success of the Saucony Marathumb Challenge, a groundbreaking digital campaign that earned Silver in Experiential Marketing – Digital and Bronze in Fashion & Accessories at the prestigious 2025 Effie Awards. The campaign, led by Saucony and executed in partnership with Doner, KWT Global, Wolfgang Studios, and Huncwot, was built on original research conducted by HarrisX that revealed a compelling behavioral learning: the average person scrolls the equivalent of three marathons per year—a staggering 78 miles. This insight served as the creative catalyst for the Marathumb Challenge, a six-week global campaign encouraging users to "move more than they scroll." The initiative invited everyday athletes to track their screen time and physical activity via a custom-built app, rewarding those who ran more than they scrolled with branded merchandise. Supported by digital, social, retail, and out-of-home activations, the campaign reached audiences in six global markets including the U.S., U.K., Canada, France, Sweden, Italy, and Australia. Campaign results included: 140% increase in earned media 25% increase in new users 14% increase in sell-through rate on 50% higher app retention rate than the industry average "This campaign is a perfect example of how data-driven insights can unlock breakthrough creativity," said Dritan Nesho, CEO of HarrisX. "We're honored to have contributed research that helped shape such an impactful and inspiring global campaign." HarrisX congratulates Saucony and its creative partners for bringing this bold idea to life and is proud to continue delivering the insight that powers results at scale. "Many of the most engaging and successful brand ideas today are fueled by the synthesis of data and creativity," said David DeMuth, CEO of Doner. "Through our partnership with HarrisX, we're able to tap into foundational datapoints that inspire ideas like the Saucony Marathumb Challenge, an Effie winner that captured media attention and drove transformational business results." About HarrisX HarrisX, a Stagwell company, is a strategic research advisory firm that delivers clear, data-driven answers to our clients' most pressing questions. Powered by proprietary technology and a campaign-style approach, we move fast, cut through the noise, and surface insights that drive real-world impact. With offices in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, we advise Fortune 100 companies, public institutions, global leaders, NGOs, and philanthropic organizations. Named the most accurate pollster of the 2020 U.S. presidential election by The Washington Post and the American Research Group, HarrisX doesn't just deliver data — we deliver confident decisions. About the Doner Partners Network We make brands matter more to culture, to the world and to the bottom line. And we believe true integration is the product of intentional orchestration. The DPN creates teams that are as small as possible, and can scale as big as necessary. DPN agencies include: Doner, Yamamoto, DonerNorth, HarrisX, Wolfgang, KWT Global, Meat & Produce, Veritas, Dyversity Communications, DonerCX and Underground Digital. About Stagwell Stagwell is the challenger network built to transform marketing. We deliver scaled creative performance for the world's most ambitious brands, connecting culture-moving creativity with leading-edge technology to harmonize the art and science of marketing. Led by entrepreneurs, our 13,000+ specialists in 34+ countries are unified under a single purpose: to drive effectiveness and improve business results for their clients. Join us at View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE HarrisX Sign in to access your portfolio
Buzz Feed
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Hunger Games Prequels Younger Actors Vs Original Actors
With the The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping casting announcements rolling out, many fans of the franchise have been excited to see who's playing the younger version of their favorite characters. Honestly, these casting directors deserve a raise, because their decisions are *chef's kiss.* Here are 9 side-by-sides of the Hunger Games prequel characters vs. the original actors: In the original movies, Effie Trinket — the District 12 tributes' escort to the Hunger Games — was portrayed by Elizabeth Banks. She told Behind the Lens, "It's really fun to watch yourself disappear in the movie every day, and watch Effie appear. It required a full transformation. I never knew how old she was, in reading the book. She could be 30, or she could be 100. I imagine, in the future, life expectancy is long, and they use crazy plastic surgery. Who the hell knows what's going on? So, I really wanted her to be ageless. Gary's [Ross] one real note was, 'I imagine Joel Grey in Cabaret for her face.' That was our jumping off point and why we ended up with the rough skin and the gnarliness of that." In Sunrise on the Reaping, fan favorite casting choice Elle Fanning will play the younger Effie. Elizabeth told People, "I'm super excited. I texted the producers as well, and I think she's perfect." Here's a side by side: The role of Haymitch Abernathy, District 12 victor and Katniss and Peeta's mentor, was originated by Woody Harrelson in the first four movies. He told HuffPost, "That was kind of a discussion between Gary [Ross, the director] and I, because I always wanted to make Haymitch more drunk and debauched, but Gary wanted to keep a rein on it so that it wasn't too much like that. In other words there are times when he had to get down to business so, yes, that had to be properly pitched. Me, I am always in general ready to go over the top with it, so it is helpful to have a director like Gary bringing me back." Joseph Zada is set to star as the younger Haymitch in Sunrise on the Reaping. In a statement, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group co-president Erin Westerman said, "The Hunger Games franchise has long been a launching pad for remarkable young actors, and Jo and Whitney [Peak, who will play Lenore] carry that legacy forward with incredible heart, depth, and fire. After auditioning hundreds of gifted performers from around the world, these two stood out — not just for their talent, but for the emotional truth they brought to these iconic roles." Here they are side by side: In the original four movies, Caesar Flickerman — the host of the Hunger Games — was played by Stanley Tucci. He was very involved with developing the character's iconic look. Stanley told The Hollywood Reporter, "I was in London making a movie, and we knew what we wanted the fellow to look like. Then we experimented with stuff. I said, 'I'd like to try teeth. I'd like to try some noses. I want him to have a tan. We have to really make it look like he has plastic surgery.'" In Sunrise on the Reaping, recent Oscar winner Kieran Culkin will play a younger Caesar. Lionsgate Motion Picture Group co-president Erin Westerman told People, "Kieran's scene-stealing presence and undeniable charm are perfect for Caesar Flickerman, the sickeningly watchable host of Panem's darkest spectacle. Stanley Tucci made Caesar unforgettable — and now Kieran will make the role entirely his own." Here they are side by side: President Snow was portrayed by Donald Sutherland in the four original Hunger Games films. He told GQ, "Nobody asked me to do it. I wasn't offered it. I like to read scripts, and it captured my passion. I wrote them a letter. The role of the president had maybe a line in the script. Maybe two. Didn't make any difference. I thought it was an incredibly important film, and I wanted to be a part of it. I thought it could wake up an electorate that had been dormant since the '70s. I hadn't read the books. To be truthful, I was unaware of them. But they showed my letter to the director, Gary Ross, and he thought it'd be a good idea if I did it. He wrote those wonderfully poetic scenes in the rose garden, and they formed the mind and wit of Coriolanus Snow." In The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, Tom Blyth starred as the younger Coriolanus Snow. He told Variety, "I don't think I anticipated how emotionally taxing the role was going to be. I was like, 'I'm part of a big blockbuster franchise. This is gonna be fun!'" In the same film, Dexter Sol Ansell played the character as a child. He told Young Entertainment Mag, "When I first started acting, I never thought I would be on the red carpet, it was such a big pleasure, and in The Hunger Games, it was so amazing." Ralph Fiennes is set to play President Snow in Sunrise on the Reaping. Donald Sutherland died in 2024. In a press release, producer Nina Jacobson said, "We wanted to honor Donald Sutherland by having one of this generation's greatest actors play President Snow." Here they are side by side: Tigris Snow, a Capitol stylist and cousin to Coriolanus, was played by Eugenie Bondurant in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2. She told the Tampa Bay Times that, when she first stepped onto the set of Tigris's shop, "I started crying. It was beautiful. Everything was pulled together, and the set designer said, 'Do you know how long we've been waiting for this? For you to be here?' She said this is the only bright moment in the entire movie." Here's Eugenie out of costume. In The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Hunter Schafer played the younger version of Tigris. She told Entertainment Tonight, "Tigris kind of feels like the first character piece I've really done that's not like a teenage girl who is kind of like one step away from who I am. It was like a challenge for me." In the same movie, Rosa Gotzler portrayed Tigris as a child. Here's a side by side of Eugenie and Hunter: And here's Rosa with Hunter: District 3 victor Wiress was played by Amanda Plummer in Catching Fire. Maya Hawke will play a younger Wiress in Sunrise on the Reaping. Here they are side by side: In the original series, Head Gamemaker Plutarch Heavensbee was played by Philip Seymour Hoffman. He'd filmed most of his scenes for Mockingjay Part 2 before his death in 2014, but he wasn't able to film what was meant to be an emotional scene opposite Katniss. So, Heavensbee's final words were read to her in a letter. Director Francis Lawrence told the Guardian, "I regret to have that…label of it being his last film. Because obviously, there's not quite enough of him in it. I would have liked his role to be larger." In Sunrise on the Reaping, Jesse Plemons — who actually played Philip's onscreen son in The Master — will play the younger version of Heavensbee. Erin Westerman told Variety, "Jesse is one of the most talented actors of his generation, with a proven record of picking his roles selectively. We are honored that he has chosen to bring his own take to one of the most fascinating figures in Panem, and feel that his previous collaboration with Philip Seymour Hoffman makes it all the more special. His Plutarch will be both a tribute to the character fans have already come to know and a portrayal he makes his own. We can't wait for audiences to see it." Here's a side-by-side: In the first four movies, District 3 victor Beetee Latier was portrayed by Jeffrey Wright. He told Slashfilm, "I liked that his primary weapon was his capacity to think, and that he was less a fighter than a tinkerer. I thought that was interesting in the first movie, in Catching Fire, that among all these warriors there's an inventor. It just seemed contradictory and curious to me. And then I think I was attracted to his sense of responsibility to his fellow citizenry, to the cause, and his loyalty to the ideals behind this rebellion." Kelvin Harrison Jr. will play the younger Beetee in Sunrise on the Reaping. Here's a side by side: And finally, Mags Flanagan, District 4 victor and Haymitch's mentor, was played by Lynn Cohen in Catching Fire. She told the Detroit Free Press, "First of all, I had the joy of working with three of the most beautiful young people. All my scenes were with Jennifer [Lawrence] and two gorgeous males. I was carried on the back of one of them [Sam Claflin, who played Finnick], up and down mountains. When I auditioned, I auditioned on Skype. The first thing they asked was, 'How much do I weigh?' I said, 'I don't know, 90 pounds?' I didn't realize I had to be on someone's back all the time. Then they asked, 'How strong are you?' I said, 'Oh, me? I'm strong like a bull.'" Lili Taylor is set to play the younger version of Mags in Sunrise on the Reaping. Here's a side by side: What do you think of these casting decisions? Do you agree, or would you have chosen someone else for one of these roles? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Elle Fanning to Play Effie in ‘Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping' (Exclusive)
Elle Fanning is set to join the fray in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. The Emmy-nominated actress has been cast as Effie Trinket in the forthcoming Lionsgate film, The Hollywood Reporter has learned exclusively. Francis Lawrence directs the movie adaptation of Suzanne Collins' best-selling novel that will hit theaters Nov. 20, 2026. More from The Hollywood Reporter "You Can't Talk Revolution If There's No Love Involved": 'THR Frontrunners' Q&A With 'Andor' Star Diego Luna 'Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping' Finds Its Louella and Lou Lou (Exclusive) 'Sesame Street' Saved, Inks New Streaming Deal With Netflix In the feature, Effie serves as the stylist for Haymitch Abernathy (played by Joseph Zada) in the preparation for the 50th Hunger Games. Elizabeth Banks portrayed an older version of Effie in the series' first four films that kicked off with The Hunger Games hitting theaters in 2012. Previously announced castmembers include Zada, Whitney Peak, Mckenna Grace, Jesse Plemons, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Maya Hawke, Lili Taylor and Ben Wang. THR's exclusive reporting has included the recent news that Ralph Fiennes has been cast as the diabolical President Snow and that Molly McCann and Iona Bell will portray standout book characters Louella and Lou Lou, respectively. 'From the moment Suzanne released the book, one question echoed from fans around the world: Who will play Effie?' says Lionsgate Motion Picture Group co-president Erin Westerman. 'Elizabeth Banks made her iconic — so who could honor that legacy while bringing us back to Effie's early, most formative days? For us, there was only one answer. Elle Fanning's career has been transcendent. She has a rare presence — warm, sparkling and layered with extraordinary depth. She was the undeniable fan favorite from the start, and we're honored she answered the call. The odds, it turns out, were in our favor.' Lawrence helms the movie from a script by Billy Ray that adapts Collins' book. Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson produce for Color Force, while Cameron MacConomy executive produces. Meredith Wieck and Scott O'Brien oversee Sunrise on the Reaping for Lionsgate. Robert Melnik handled the deal on behalf of the studio. The book Sunrise on the Reaping takes place in Panem on the morning of the reaping for the 50th Hunger Games, 24 years before the events in The Hunger Games, the first novel that published in 2008. The franchise's first five movies have surpassed $3.3 billion at the worldwide box office, with the initial four films led by Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen. Fanning's recent credits include last year's Oscar-nominated feature A Complete Unknown and Joachim Trier's Sentimental Value, premiering at Cannes this week. She can be seen in such forthcoming projects as the Apple TV+ series Margo's Got Money Troubles and 20th Century's fall movie Predator: Badlands. The actress is represented by UTA, TFC Management and Hansen Jacobson. Best of The Hollywood Reporter 'The Goonies' Cast, Then and Now "A Nutless Monkey Could Do Your Job": From Abusive to Angst-Ridden, 16 Memorable Studio Exec Portrayals in Film and TV The 10 Best Baseball Movies of All Time, Ranked
