‘The Hunger Games’ Actor Dayo Okeniyi Cast In ‘Terminator: Genesis’

According to Variety, Dayo Okeniyi, the 25-year-old actor who played District 11 tribute Thresh in The Hunger Games movie, has been cast as Miles Dyson’s son, Danny Dyson, in the upcoming film Terminator: Genesis.

Deadline is reporting that the Hunger Games star has landed the final lead role, describing Danny as “a Steve Jobs genius who figures heavily into the conclusion of the film.”

Okeniyi, who was 22 when he filmed The Hunger Games, has had several roles since his time in the arena with Katniss Everdeen including films such as The Spectacular Now, Runner Runner, and Endless Love. The Hunger Games alum has also had small roles in television shows Revolution and Bones.

The Hunger Games remains his largest film role to date. His character, Thresh, played a significant role in the fate of Katniss Everdeen when he spared her life as a debt paid for helping his fellow tribute, 12-year-old Rue. One of the largest tributes in the 74th Hunger Games, Thresh could no doubt have put an end to the girl on fire, had he chosen to do so.

Little is known about the Terminator film at this point, which is being directed by Alan Taylor. Okeniyi’s character made a brief appearance in Terminator 2: Judgement Day when the Terminator, Sarah Connor, and John Connor held Dyson’s family hostage in their home in order to convince Dyson to let them into the office that contained the chip that would eventually lead to the creation of SkyNet. The original Dyson was played by Joe Morton and the son by DeVaughn Nixon. You’d probably most recognize his son as Whitney Houston’s son Fletcher in The Bodyguard.

Rounding out the rest of the Teminator: Genesis cast is Game of Thrones actress Emilia Clarke (the Mother of Dragons) as Sarah Connor, Jason Clarke from Zero Dark Thirty, Jai Courtney as Kyle Reese, and of course, Arnold Schwarzenegger as the Terminator.

Genesis will be a trilogy of films, with the first beginning production soon in Lousiana. The second and third films will be shot back to back over the course of nine months. Whether or not Okeniyi’s character will be in all three is unclear at this point, but one thing’s for sure, with a studio commitment to three films this may be the role that finally trumps his stint in The Hunger Games.

Are you excited about this upcoming trilogy of films for the Terminator franchise?