Ralph Fiennes Cast as President Snow in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping

Ralph Fiennes has been cast as President Coriolanus Snow in Lionsgate's latest adaptation, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. This exciting news was shared through the official Hunger Games X/Twitter account, marking another significant casting announcement for the eagerly awaited film.

Ralph Fiennes. Image credit: Daniele Venturelli/WireImage.

Sunrise on the Reaping is set in the timeline between the four main Hunger Games films, starring Jennifer Lawrence, and the 2023 prequel, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. The earlier prequel showcased a young Snow, portrayed by Tom Blyth, evolving into the ruthless dictator later played by Donald Sutherland in the original series. Fiennes steps into the role at a pivotal point in Snow's life, with the story focusing on District 12 tribute and future victor, Haymitch Abernathy.

Producer Nina Jacobson expressed her excitement about Fiennes joining the project, 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 is not the only one generating buzz for Sunrise on the Reaping. Jesse Plemons, known for his roles in Breaking Bad and Civil War, will portray 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 adapts Suzanne Collins’ 2025 novel and is slated for release on November 20, 2026. The film will be directed by Francis Lawrence, a veteran of the series, with a screenplay penned by original Hunger Games writer Billy Ray. The project was announced last summer, followed by a teaser trailer in April.