Kelvin Harrison Jr. is stepping into a character Hunger Games fans already love, and he is bringing a father’s perspective to the story. In a new Entertainment Weekly conversation published November 5, Harrison and Jeffrey Wright discussed playing Beetee Latier at different stages of his life.
Harrison portrays the younger Beetee in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. Wright established the character in the earlier films. Harrison told EW he wanted to preserve the warmth and calm intelligence of Wright’s performance while showing the pressures facing Beetee before audiences first met him.
That responsibility becomes more personal through Beetee’s son, Ampert, played by Percy Daggs IV. In a separate November 2 interview with The Quintessential Gentleman, Harrison and Daggs discussed creating their father-and-son connection. Daggs acknowledged the expectations of readers who already care deeply about Ampert. Harrison described checking in on his young co-star and connecting with his family during production.
The relationship between the two Beetee actors also extends beyond this franchise. Harrison and Wright have worked together in Monster and the upcoming Samo Lives. Harrison told The Quintessential Gentleman that Wright has been an important influence on him, giving this casting a connection that existed before either actor arrived in Panem together through the character.
An October 28 interview with The Knockturnal adds another layer. Harrison described Beetee’s intelligence as an expression of his love for others, while Daggs discussed the bond he built with Haymitch actor Joseph Zada. The film is scheduled to reach theaters November 20.
Those conversations give fans a reason to watch beyond recognizing a familiar name. This version of Beetee has a child to protect, a younger actor has a demanding role to carry, and two performers are finding continuity across generations of the same character.
The emotional stakes begin well before the arena.
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