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. The announcement was made today via the official Hunger Games X/Twitter account, marking another significant casting reveal for the upcoming film. Fiennes, known for his roles in The Conclave and the Harry Potter series, steps into one of the franchise's pivotal roles.

Sunrise on the Reaping is set in the timeline between the four Hunger Games films starring Jennifer Lawrence and the 2023 prequel, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. The latter explored a young Snow, portrayed by Tom Blyth, and his transformation into the ruthless dictator played by the late Donald Sutherland in the original series. Fiennes' portrayal will depict a middle-aged Snow, focusing on the story of District 12 tribute and future victor, Haymitch Abernathy.

Producer Nina Jacobson expressed her enthusiasm about Fiennes joining the cast, 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 highly anticipated, he is not the only exciting addition to the film. Jesse Plemons, known from Breaking Bad and Civil War, will play a younger version of Philip Seymour Hoffman's character, Plutarch Heavensbee. Additionally, Joseph Zada, recognized for his roles in Total Control and Invisible Boys, will 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 a screenplay by original Hunger Games writer Billy Ray. The project was announced last summer, followed by a teaser trailer released this past April.