Ralph Fiennes has been cast as President Coriolanus Snow in Lionsgate's latest adaptation from the Hunger Games series, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. This exciting news was shared today through the official Hunger Games X/Twitter account. Fiennes, known for his roles in The Conclave and the Harry Potter series, steps into one of the franchise's most pivotal roles.
Set between the events of the original four Hunger Games films, led by Jennifer Lawrence, and 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 prequel showcased a young Snow, portrayed by Tom Blyth, evolving into the dictator famously played by the late Donald Sutherland in the earlier films. Fiennes' portrayal will focus on Snow during the period surrounding the story of District 12's tribute and victor, Haymitch Abernathy.
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 has generated significant buzz, he isn't the only actor stirring excitement for Sunrise on the Reaping. Jesse Plemons, known for his roles in Breaking Bad and Civil War, has been cast as a younger version of Philip Seymour Hoffman's character, Plutarch Heavensbee. Additionally, Joseph Zada, recognized from Total Control and Invisible Boys, will take on the role of 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 adapts Suzanne Collins’ 2025 novel and is slated for release on November 20, 2026. The film is 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 this year.
