Elizabeth Banks invokes ‘Hunger Games’ role to call out ‘white ladies’ who voted Trump over Harris

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Actress Elizabeth Banks recently spoke about the 2024 Presidential election and invoked her 'Hunger Games' character Effie Trinket while talking about a voter statistic. She suggested that "white women" should adopt a more "revolutionary" mindset while electing their leaders. 

During a Tuesday, April 14, appearance on Bustle’s 'One Nightstand podcast,' the 'The Miniature Wife' star reflected on her role in the film series based on Suzanne Collins’ novels. She described Effie Trinket’s development as one of the “greatest arc(s)” she has ever portrayed, especially as the character evolves into a revolutionary figure.

Elizabeth Banks reflects on voter trends through a ‘Hunger Games’ lens

Banks made pointed comments about electing President Donald Trump over former Vice President Kamala Harris during the discussion. Her remarks followed reports from CNN and NBC News that 53 percent of white women supported Trump over Harris.

The actress used that statistic as a springboard to discuss the idea of personal and political awakening, drawing a comparison to her character Effie Trinket.

Looking back at the role, she described Effie’s transformation as one of the most meaningful developments she has portrayed on-screen. "I think Effie, for me, is one of the characters that has the greatest arc that I’ve ever played because obviously she props up this fascist regime that she benefits from, and it’s not until she really comes to care for and see how unfair it is when they want to pull Katniss and Peta into the games again," Banks said.

Her reference centers on 'The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,' where former victors are forced back into the arena during the Quarter Quell. "Like, that’s not the deal here. It’s not supposed to be like this. And now, she’s like, 'Wait a minute, hold on.'"

Speaking further about the plot, she said, "I think in Catching Fire when she’s like, ‘I want to be part of this team,’ and you really see her struggling and then by the end she’s like a revolutionary. She gets turned by the events."

Banks then said she wished more women adopted a similar arc in real life. "I wish more of us were becoming revolutionaries! Effie is the model, guys! I don’t understand the 53 percent of white ladies that didn’t vote for Kamala."

In 'Catching Fire,' Katniss Everdeen (played by Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (played by Josh Hutcherson) are forced to enter the Games again, even after surviving once. This moment starts to change Effie’s view of the system she once supported.

Banks also made a broader comparison between her fictional role and real-world politics, blending satire with critique. "Some of you know me from The Hunger Games, in which I play a cruel, out-of-touch reality TV star who wears insane wigs while delivering long-winded speeches to a violent dystopia," she said. "So when I tuned in to Cleveland last week, I was like, hey, 'that’s my act.'"

'The Hunger Games' prequel revisits Haymitch Abernathy’s past

As the 'The Hunger Games' franchise continues to expand, its second prequel, 'The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping,' will dive into the backstory of Haymitch Abernathy and his brutal experience in the arena during an earlier Quarter Quell. 

Joseph Zada steps into the role originally portrayed by Woody Harrelson, while Elle Fanning takes over as Effie Trinket, a character previously played by Banks. 

The film is expected to introduce a wider ensemble of tributes, Capitol figures, and mentors tied to the Games, expanding the dystopian world created by Suzanne Collins, and is scheduled to arrive in theatres on November 20.