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 upcoming adaptation of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. The announcement came via the official Hunger Games X/Twitter account, marking another exciting reveal for the eagerly awaited film.

Ralph Fiennes. Image credit: Daniele Venturelli/WireImage.

Sunrise on the Reaping is set between the events of the original Hunger Games films, starring Jennifer Lawrence, and the 2023 prequel The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. The latter film explored a young Snow, portrayed by Tom Blyth, and his transformation into the ruthless leader of Panem, a role famously played by Donald Sutherland in the earlier series. Fiennes' portrayal will delve into a mid-life President Snow, focusing on the story of District 12 tribute and future victor, Haymitch Abernathy.

Producer Nina Jacobson expressed her excitement about Fiennes joining the franchise, 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's not the only notable addition to the film. Jesse Plemons, known for his roles in Breaking Bad and Civil War, will portray a young version of Plutarch Heavensbee, originally played by the late Philip Seymour Hoffman. 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 is an adaptation of Suzanne Collins' 2025 novel. The film is slated for release on November 20, 2026, and will be directed by series veteran Francis Lawrence, with a screenplay penned by original Hunger Games writer Billy Ray. The project was announced last summer, followed by a teaser trailer released in April.