Ralph Fiennes has been cast to portray President Coriolanus Snow in Lionsgate's latest adaptation, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. This exciting casting news was shared through the official Hunger Games X/Twitter account, making Fiennes the latest in a series of eagerly awaited announcements for the film, where he takes on a pivotal role.
Set before the four Hunger Games films starring Jennifer Lawrence and following the 2023 prequel, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Sunrise on the Reaping delves into the life of President Snow at a crucial juncture. The earlier prequel showcased a young Snow, portrayed by Tom Blyth, evolving into the ruthless dictator played by Donald Sutherland in the original series. Fiennes' portrayal will focus on a middle-aged Snow, set against the backdrop of District 12 tribute Haymitch Abernathy's journey to becoming a Hunger Games victor.
Producer Nina Jacobson expressed her enthusiasm, stating, "We wanted to honor Donald Sutherland by having one of this generation’s greatest actors play President Snow 24 years before Katniss Everdeen entered the arena. Working with Ralph has been on my bucket list since he traumatized me for life in Schindler's List. It’s genuinely a thrill to welcome him to the Hunger Games."
While Fiennes' casting is a major highlight, he's not the only actor generating buzz for Sunrise on the Reaping. Jesse Plemons, known for his roles in Breaking Bad and Civil War, will play a younger version of Philip Seymour Hoffman's character, Plutarch Heavensbee. Additionally, Joseph Zada, recognized from Total Control and Invisible Boys, is set to star as Haymitch.
President Snow.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping – in theaters November 20, 2026. pic.twitter.com/mj9gXk1hTt
— The Hunger Games (@TheHungerGames) May 16, 2025
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is an adaptation of Suzanne Collins' 2025 novel and is slated for release on November 20, 2026. The film will be directed by series veteran Francis Lawrence, with the screenplay penned by original Hunger Games writer Billy Ray. The project was announced last summer, followed by a teaser trailer released in April of this year.
