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 exciting news was shared through the official Hunger Games X/Twitter account, marking another significant casting announcement for the eagerly anticipated 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 earlier prequel, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes released in 2023. The prequel delved into the early life of a young Coriolanus Snow, portrayed by Tom Blyth, showing his transformation into the ruthless leader played by Donald Sutherland in the original series. Fiennes' portrayal will capture a middle-aged Snow, focusing on the events surrounding District 12 tribute and eventual 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 is a major highlight, he's not the only exciting addition to the cast. 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 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 based on Suzanne Collins' 2025 novel and is slated for a theatrical release on November 20, 2026. Francis Lawrence, a veteran of the series, will direct, with the screenplay penned by original Hunger Games writer Billy Ray. The film was announced last summer, followed by a teaser trailer released in April.