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 film adaptation of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. The announcement was made via the official Hunger Games X/Twitter account, marking another significant casting reveal for the much-anticipated movie.

Ralph Fiennes. Image credit Daniele Venturelli/WireImage.

Sunrise on the Reaping is set between the events of the four main Hunger Games films, which starred Jennifer Lawrence, and the earlier prequel, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes from 2023. The prequel explored a young Coriolanus Snow, portrayed by Tom Blyth, as he evolved into Panem's ruthless dictator, a role later played by the late Donald Sutherland in the original series. In Sunrise on the Reaping, Fiennes will depict a middle-aged Snow, focusing on the story of District 12 tribute and future victor, Haymitch Abernathy.

Producer Nina Jacobson expressed excitement about Fiennes' casting, 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 highlight for many fans, he is not the only exciting addition to the cast. Jesse Plemons, known for roles in Breaking Bad and Civil War, will portray a younger version of the late Philip Seymour Hoffman's character, Plutarch Heavensbee. Additionally, Joseph Zada, from Total Control and Invisible Boys, has been cast 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' novel released in 2025 and is slated for a theatrical release on November 20, 2026. The film will be directed by series veteran Francis Lawrence, with the screenplay penned by original Hunger Games writer Billy Ray. The project was announced last summer, and a teaser trailer was released in April of this year.