Recasting Beetee For A Hunger Games Prequel Movie: 8 Actors To Replace Jeffrey Wright

Beetee, played by Jeffrey Wright, was a victor introduced in The Hunger Games, but if a prequel about his games came to be, there would be plenty of actors who could take on playing a young Beetee. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire was one of the most popular movies of the series, and part of that is thanks to the historical lore that was opened up by incorporating past winners. This made the fantasy world feel more grounded and led to questions about what past iterations of the games might have looked like.

The success of the Hunger Games prequel Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes proved that there is a market for additional prequels to find out what led up to the events of the original movies. Of all the actors in the series, Wright is incomparable and has graced the screen with some of the best performances of all time, including his work in Westworld, The Batman, and his recent film, American Fiction. However, with so much up-and-coming talent in young Hollywood, there are plenty of options for those who could rise to the occasion and further Wright’s legacy.

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8 Caleb McLaughlin

Stranger Things (2016 – ), The Book of Clarence (2023), Shooting Stars (2023)

Caleb McLaughlin is best known for playing Lucas in Stranger Things, and audiences have enjoyed watching him grow up onscreen. However, in recent years, he has made the conscious choice to branch out into film and show that he is an adult who can handle more complex and serious roles. Luckily, he’s still young enough to play a teenager for a few more years and has illustrated his ability to play a technology wiz on Stranger Things, which would come in handy playing the genius Beetee.

He’s also distinguished himself among large ensembles while still having genuine chemistry with his cast members in his work. This is vital for anyone who takes on a Hunger Games project, as the crux of the story will revolve around his experience in the arena interacting with the other tributes. McLaughlin is also a great choice because he has enough name recognition to get audiences into the theater while still needing time to develop as an actor, which requires a wide range of roles.

7 Asante Blackk

When They See Us (2019), Story Ave (2023), Landscape with Invisible Hand (2023)

Asante Blackk is one of the youngest Primetime Emmy nominees of all time thanks to his fantastic performance in the miniseries When They See Us about the Central Park Five, a group of young men who were wrongly accused of a violent crime. Tackling so heavy a project is difficult for an actor of any age, but Blackk and his peers all demonstrated amazing ability in the series. The most powerful scenes in Ava DuVernay’s When They See Us are thanks to the incredible work of the young men who took on the challenging roles.

Recently, he transitioned into film in the comedic sci-fi movie Landscape with Invisible Hand. Though the film is much lighter than the dystopian reality of The Hunger Games, it does relate to the concept of living in a surveillance state and doing whatever’s necessary to survive. Similarly to Wright, Blackk got his start on stage, which shows in his stillness and ability to subtly emote onscreen. A large part of The Hunger Games films revolves around a person having to hide what they truly feel and believe, and Blackk delivered a taste of that in Landscape with Invisible Hand.

6 Jharrel Jerome

When They See Us (2019), I’m A Virgo (2023 – ), Moonlight (2016)

Jharrel Jerome starred alongside Blackk in When They See Us and gave a just as moving performance, but his breakout role was in the movie Moonlight. In the film, he plays one of the younger versions of Kevin, the love interest of the protagonist. His most recent TV series, I’m A Virgo, allowed him to explore a more magical kind of coming-of-age. As the series’ lead, it’s up to him to drive the plot of the narrative. Based on how he excelled in this role, it’s clear that he’s capable of anchoring a film of his own just as well.

5 Chosen Jacobs

It (2017), Sneakerella (2022), Purple Hearts (2022)

Though Chosen Jacobs’ early work was in It was done as a child actor, he’s only grown since then and branched out into different artistic pursuits as well. Jacobs is also a singer, based on his work in the musical Sneakerella. The Hunger Games franchise has been leaning into its association with music, as seen in Rachel Zegler’s singing in Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. So far, Beetee isn’t much of a singer, but as singing is such a prominent part of life in the districts, casting an actor who could infuse another prequel with music would be wise.

4 Marcus Scribner

Grown-ish (2018 – ), Black-ish (2014 – 2022), How To Blow Up A Pipeline (2022)

Marcus Scribner got his start on Black-ish and now has become the star of the spin-off series Grown-ish, which follows his character, Andre, into his college years. He’s been part of the franchise since 2018 and has developed as an actor since playing the little brother who’s the comic relief. His trajectory after the series concludes is hinted at in the films he’s chosen to be a part of. How To Blow Up A Pipeline is an experimental movie that deals with topics of environmental terrorism, and he easily keeps up with the fast-paced action of the story.

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3 Abraham Attah

Beasts of No Nation (2015), Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), Tazmanian Devil (2020)

Abraham Attah was young when he took on the role of Agu in Beasts of No Nation, but even then, it was obvious that he was going to be a star. Since then, he’s performed in minor roles in Marvel’s Spider-Man series, as well as roles in independent films like Tazmanian Devil. It’s true that Beasts of No Nation is more intense than a role in a dystopian young adult movie. However, being in The Hunger Games could illustrate Attah’s growth as a man and as an actor and will remind the public of how talented he is.

2 McCarrie McCausland

Army Wives (2007 – 2013), The Originals (2013 – 2018), The Darkest Minds (2018)

There haven’t been many leading roles for McCarrie McCausland yet, but that doesn’t mean that he isn’t ready to take on a more prominent role. Most of his early work included playing young versions of adult characters in TV shows, like young Marcel in The Originals, and building that skill could help realize the young Beetee by infusing him with some of Wright’s acting choices.The Hunger Games has a history of casting relatively unknown actors who are ready to take the next step in their careers, and McCausland is the perfect choice for this angle.

1 Michael Rainey Jr.

Power Book II: Ghost (2020 – ), Power (2014 – 2020), Amateur (2018)

Of all the young actors who have proven their ability to shoulder the weight of a franchise, Michael Rainey Jr. has shown this to the extreme. Starting on Power as the son of Ghost (Omari Hardwick) and then assuming the role of protagonist in his spinoff, Power Book II: Ghost, Rainey Jr. is a fan favorite actor with fans of the shows. However, all good things must end, and when Raieny Jr. is ready to leave the Power universe, The Hunger Games is another well-known series that could use a pro like him.