Ralph Fiennes Cast as President Snow in Hunger Games Prequel

Ralph Fiennes has been cast as President Coriolanus Snow in Lionsgate's latest adaptation of the Hunger Games series, titled The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. The announcement was made through the official Hunger Games X/Twitter account, marking Fiennes as a key addition to the film's ensemble.

Ralph Fiennes. Image credit: Daniele Venturelli/WireImage.

Sunrise on the Reaping is set between the events of the original Hunger Games films, which starred Jennifer Lawrence, and the 2023 prequel, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. The latter introduced audiences to a young Coriolanus Snow, portrayed by Tom Blyth, showcasing his transformation into the tyrannical leader of Panem, a role later played by Donald Sutherland in the main series. Fiennes' portrayal in Sunrise on the Reaping will depict Snow at a pivotal point in his life, focusing on the story of District 12's tribute and eventual victor, Haymitch Abernathy.

Producer Nina Jacobson expressed her 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' announcement has sparked significant anticipation among fans, he is not the only exciting casting news for Sunrise on the Reaping. Jesse Plemons, known for his 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, 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 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 in April.