Mckenna Grace Says Her Body Was in ‘Fight or Flight Mode’ While Filming Intense “Hunger Games” Prequel (Exclusive)

**Mckenna Grace Discusses Challenges of Filming ‘Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping’**

Mckenna Grace, the 20-year-old actress, is gearing up for the release of the highly anticipated prequel to the beloved Hunger Games franchise, titled “Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping,” which is set to hit cinemas on November 20. In this film, Grace takes on the dual role of twins Maysilee and Merrilee Donner, alongside Joseph Zada, who portrays a young Haymitch Abernathy as he faces the first Quarter Quell, where twice the number of tributes is drawn.

In a recent interview with PEOPLE, Grace revealed the demanding physical and emotional challenges she faced during the shooting of the film. Despite not being a tribute in the traditional sense, she experienced the intense pressure and stress of her character’s circumstances. “Whenever you’re putting your body in fight-or-flight mode every day, your body can’t tell the difference between the trauma of that and if you were really running for your life,” she explained, addressing the emotional toll of portraying a character enduring such treacherous conditions.

Grace’s character, Maysilee, is selected as a District 12 tribute, meaning that she must navigate the brutal and deadly games alongside Haymitch. The actress expressed that while she was excited about her role—having been a devoted fan of the franchise growing up—she was unprepared for the intense demands of both the physicality and the emotional weight of the shoot. “I was also unprepared for the amount of cardio I was doing every day on set,” she shared, noting that her rigorous training regimen soon became insufficient for the demanding physical stunts required of her.

Reflecting on the rigorous training, she said, “I had a whole workout regimen and I was like, ‘There’s no way I’m ever going to be needing to do this much cardio.’ But lo and behold, it was not ridiculous. If anything, I felt underprepared.” Grace admitted that the experience felt akin to being in the actual Hunger Games, given the physical requirements necessary for her role.

Having started her acting career at a very young age, Grace has garnered nearly 80 credits, making her a seasoned performer despite her youth. Her early work includes a role on the long-running soap opera, The Young and the Restless, at just seven years old. Since then, she has made an impression in various projects, including “Gifted” alongside Chris Evans and the acclaimed series “The Handmaid’s Tale,” for which she received an Emmy nomination.

However, growing up in the spotlight has not come without its challenges. Grace reflected on the pressures of being a young actress in the public eye, saying, “I fell into a pit of deep insecurity for a few years.” She acknowledged that trying to figure out her identity while dealing with external scrutiny made her teenage years particularly complex.

Today, Grace finds herself in a new phase of her life that she describes as “intense but fun.” Recently, she learned that she had won the roles of the twins in Collins’s prequel novel, an opportunity that left her in tears of joy. Her deep appreciation for the series, illustrated by her past fan edits, strengthened her connection to the character. Filmmaker Francis Lawrence has praised Grace’s talent, stating that her ability to immerse herself in the world makes her a standout performer.

The filming experience for “Sunrise on the Reaping” allowed Grace to collaborate with peers, which she described as refreshing. The camaraderie among the younger cast members, including Ben Wang, Whitney Peak, and Iris Apatow, added a social element to the production. Grace likened this period to “summer camp or college,” highlighting the joy of connecting with others in her age group after years of working predominantly alongside adults.

Beyond her work in film, Grace is also branching out into music, with a new single titled “Bones and All” recently released. Balancing her artistic pursuits and personal life, she enjoys travelling with her dog, which she has affectionately named Scooby Doo, as well as spending time with her mother.

Ultimately, Mckenna Grace expresses gratitude for her health, family, and the chance to pursue her passions. As the countdown to “Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping” begins, fans eagerly await a new chapter in the beloved franchise while Grace continues to navigate the challenges and rewards that come with being a young actress in the contemporary entertainment landscape.