Why Elle Fanning is next in line to become a big time action star

The dystopian Hunger Games film series is one of the most successful franchises in Hollywood history, mainly due to its highly positive reviews from critics, over three billion at the box office, and a stellar cast featuring A-list actors and actresses across its four films. With the upcoming release of The Hunger Games: Sunrise at the Reaping in November 2026, fans knew its cast would not disappoint, and once actress Elle Fanning was announced she would be playing the role of Effie Trinket, any lingering misgivings were undoubtedly proven wrong.

Once, not too long ago, Elle Fanning was known primarily as Dakota Fanning's younger sibling and the person who portrayed the younger versions of Dakota's characters, such as in the film I Am Sam. At just four years old, Elle got her first role by herself in the movie Daddy Day Care with Eddie Murphy and subsequently had a voice role in the English-dubbed version of My Neighbour Totoro, made by Hayao Miyazaki.

Elle gained international recognition in 2014 when she portrayed Princess Aurora, also known as Sleeping Beauty, in the film "Maleficent" and its 2019 sequel, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, alongside actress Angelina Jolie. Elle demonstrated that she didn't need to play backup and could more than hold her own in multiple productions, garnering critical acclaim with her work. As a result, she has now been nominated for two Golden Globe Awards, one Emmy Award, and four Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Elle's filmography has been notable for her comedic timing, dramatic turns, and splendid work in independent films, such as Sofia Coppola's The Beguiled. Elle also earned critical acclaim with her portrayal of Catherine the Great in the satirical historical drama The Great. However, there is one genre that Elle has yet to conquer: action films. With her future work as Effie Trinket, Elle will surely conquer this steppingstone as well.

Plenty of other actresses have also leapt into the action genre after garnering a repertoire filled with comedy and/or dramatic roles, including the above-mentioned Angelina Jolie, Charlize Theron, and Jennifer Lawrence, to name a few. Angelina was known for her roles in drama films such as Gia and Girl, Interrupted, both of which earned her significant recognition and awards, including an Academy Award for the latter.

Angelina then became part of one of her most well-known commercial works in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and its sequel, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider-The Cradle of Life. Subsequently, Angelina returned to the action world in the MCU's 2021 film, The Eternals, where she portrayed Thena, an Eternal elite warrior with superpowers.

For her part, Charlize Theron took on speaking roles in movies such as The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle in 2000, Madagascar in 2005, and The Ant Bully in 2006 in the midst of landing the role of infamous serial killer Aileen Wuornos in 2004's Monster, which eventually led to her winning an Academy Award. Charlize later starred in the 2008 superhero film Hancock and has continued to perform action work consistently in films such as Mad Max: Fury Road, The Fate of the Furious, and Doctor Strange: The Multiverse of Madness.

Elle's fellow Hunger Games actress, Jennifer Lawrence, also went through the same path, as Jennifer starred in drama films such as Winter's Bone, The Burning Plane with Charlize Theron, and The Beaver before starring in blockbuster hits such as Fox's X-Men franchise as mutant Mystique, a role also shared with acrees Rebecca Romijn, and of course, her most iconic role to date: Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games trilogy.

Several fans were clamouring for Elle to be cast as Effie Trinket, who Elizabeth Banks previously portrayed in the original trilogy, as Elle has a reminiscent Effie vibe that perfectly embodies the character. On May 20, 2025, fans were granted their wish when Elle was officially announced as the new Effie, as Sunrise at the Reaping takes place about 25 years before the events of the first Hunger Games film.

While it's too soon to wonder about Elle's moves following her debut in the Hunger Games universe, her future does seem promising as not only is Elle a well-known A-list star by now but she is now part too of one of the most anticipated films in recent years, making her appearance in other blockbuster hits a guarantee. I, for one, can't wait to see what Elle Fanning, future action movie star, will do next.

Well, audiences don't have too much longer to find out either because Fanning has an upcoming role in Predator: Badlands where she'll portray a Weyland-Yutani synthetic who somehow becomes embroiled in a Yautja clan war. She's either partnered with the titular alien hunter, Dek, or she's the adversary he confronts. Either way, the teases of Fanning in Badlands have already hinted at her putting on the same type of stellar performance as Amber Midthunder pulled off in Hulu's Prey.

Predator: Badlands premieres on November 7, 2025.