Glenn Close may have found one of the most unsettling ways to disappear into a Hunger Games character. While filming The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, Close underwent an elaborate transformation to become Drusilla Sickle, the ruthless District 12 escort whose extreme Capitol appearance left even her co-star Elle Fanning struggling to recognize her.
Fanning already knew Close from their previous work together, making her first encounter with the fully transformed Drusilla even more surprising. What she saw on set was a character built from prosthetics, wigs, makeup, altered facial features and taped-back skin — creating exactly the kind of exaggerated cosmetic look expected from the Capitol.
More Franchise Casting Moves: Glenn Close isn’t the only star transforming into a franchise icon this year — Marvel just made a major move of its own, casting a new face for one of its most iconic mutants. For more, check our article on Samara Weaving landing the role of Emma Frost and what it means for the X-Men reboot.
Elle Fanning’s Reaction to Glenn Close’s Drusilla Sickle Transformation
Fanning plays a younger version of Effie Trinket in Sunrise on the Reaping, while Close takes on the new character of Drusilla Sickle. Drusilla occupies a role comparable to Effie’s position in the original Hunger Games films, serving as the District 12 escort.
But getting Close into that role required a seriously dramatic physical transformation.
Fanning had already worked with Close in the 2014 film Low Down, so she was familiar with the actress underneath the makeup. Still, seeing Close fully transformed for the first time was apparently a completely different experience.
“The first day on set with her, I was like, ‘Glenn, is this you? Are you in there?’ I mean, she was stretching her face back with, I don’t know, I guess it was being taped back. It is frightening and amazing and I’m like, ‘You look so different! This doesn’t even look like you!’”
That reaction gives a pretty clear idea of just how far the production went with Drusilla’s appearance. The transformation wasn’t built around a single prosthetic or makeup trick. Instead, several different departments worked together to create the character’s deliberately altered Capitol aesthetic.
More Head-Turning Hair Moments: Drastic transformations aren’t limited to the movie screen — even the World Cup had its own surprise makeover moment this year. Read our post on Landon Donovan’s hair transformation stealing the show at World Cup 2026 for the full reveal.
How Glenn Close Was Transformed Into Drusilla for Sunrise on the Reaping
Close has described the process as an unusually creative collaboration involving several specialists. Her transformation included a prosthetic makeup artist, regular makeup artist, wig maker and costume designer, with the team working together to establish Drusilla’s appearance.
“It was a great playground for me to do that,” Close said. “I had a prosthetic makeup artist, I had a regular makeup artist, we had a wig maker, and then you had the costumer. That was my core team. And we sat down and just kind of figured out the looks. It was really, really fun.”
Among the most noticeable elements were taped-back facial features, a prosthetic nose and new teeth. Those additions changed the shape of Close’s face and mouth, helping produce the protruding-lip effect associated with Drusilla.
The final result apparently went beyond simply making Close look different. It made her look almost unrecognizable.
That was exactly the point.
Drusilla is part of a Capitol society obsessed with beauty, youth and cosmetic alteration. Her appearance therefore becomes another visual example of how extreme those standards can become within the world of The Hunger Games.
Demi Moore: Close leaned into prosthetics for her transformation, while other stars are opting for simpler but equally striking style changes — Moore’s new bangs turned heads at a recent Gucci campaign. Our story covers Demi Moore’s bangs transformation for Gucci’s The Tiger for the full look.
Mckenna Grace and Whitney Peak Also Reacted to Glenn Close’s New Look
Fanning wasn’t the only cast member struck by Close’s transformation.
Mckenna Grace, who plays Maysilee Donner, described Close as “incredible and terrifying,” while Whitney Peak called her “scary and intimidating as Drusilla.”
Those reactions fit the production’s approach to the character. Drusilla is a new figure created for Suzanne Collins’ Sunrise on the Reaping, rather than a returning character from the original movie series. That gave Close and the filmmakers considerable freedom to create a distinctive look that immediately communicates her connection to Capitol culture.
And judging by the cast’s reactions, they certainly succeeded.
More Cosmetic Curiosities: Drusilla’s look leans into exaggerated Capitol beauty standards, and real-life cosmetic transformations are sparking their own conversations off-screen. For more, check our article on Kris Jenner’s facelift transformation and the truth behind her new look.
Who Is Elle Fanning Playing in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping?
Fanning portrays a younger Effie Trinket, giving audiences a chance to see the character before the events of the original Hunger Games movies.
The prequel takes place 24 years before the first film and focuses on the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell. The story brings younger versions of several familiar characters into the spotlight, including Haymitch Abernathy and President Snow, while also introducing new characters such as Drusilla Sickle.
Joseph Zada plays a young Haymitch Abernathy, with Jesse Plemons, Ralph Fiennes, Kieran Culkin and other cast members rounding out the highly anticipated prequel.
That timeline makes the film particularly intriguing for longtime fans, since it returns to Panem long before Katniss Everdeen’s story began.
More Bold Reinventions: Close isn’t the only actor going to extremes for a role — Hill underwent his own striking physical reinvention for Apple TV+’s dark comedy Outcome. Read our story on Jonah Hill’s bald, bearded transformation for Outcome for the full look at his reinvention.
When Does The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping Release?
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, based on Suzanne Collins’ novel of the same name, is scheduled to open exclusively in theaters on November 20, 2026.
| Official Detail | Information |
| Film | The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping |
| Release date | November 20, 2026 |
| Setting | 24 years before the first Hunger Games film |
| Main event | 50th Hunger Games / Second Quarter Quell |
| Glenn Close’s character | Drusilla Sickle |
| Elle Fanning’s character | Younger Effie Trinket |
| Young Haymitch | Joseph Zada |
With the release still ahead, Glenn Close’s transformation is already shaping up as one of the film’s most talked-about pieces of character work. The fake teeth, prosthetics, wigs, taped-back skin and altered facial features don’t simply make Drusilla look different — they help sell the unnerving excess of the Capitol itself.
And considering Elle Fanning’s genuine shock at seeing Close in full costume, audiences may be in for an even bigger surprise when Drusilla finally arrives on the big screen.
More Personal Transformation Journeys: Beyond his physical role transformation, Hill has also been open about a very different kind of change in his own life. Our story on Jonah Hill’s 40+ pound weight loss and journey to self-love looks at what drove that transformation.
Disclaimer
This article has been written based on a thorough review of the verified information and statements provided in the supplied source material, including Entertainment Weekly, Yahoo Entertainment/Cover Media, CinemaBlend coverage, official promotional materials and cast interviews for The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. Quotes attributed to Elle Fanning, Glenn Close, Mckenna Grace and Whitney Peak have been retained exactly as provided in the supplied material. Release dates, casting details and other production information are subject to change.
Sources
- Entertainment Weekly — How Glenn Close achieved a ‘terrifying’ look for “Sunrise on the Reaping”’s Drusilla Sickle
- Yahoo Entertainment/Cover Media — Elle Fanning barely recognised co-star Glenn Close after Hunger Games transformation
- CinemaBlend — Coverage of Elle Fanning’s comments on Glenn Close’s transformation
Featured Image Credit: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 / Toglenn
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