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 from the Hunger Games series, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. This exciting news was shared through the official Hunger Games X/Twitter account, marking another significant casting announcement for the upcoming film.

Fiennes, known for his roles in The Conclave and the Harry Potter series, steps into one of the most crucial roles in the franchise. 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, Sunrise on the Reaping explores a pivotal time in President Snow's life. This film focuses on District 12 tribute Haymitch Abernathy, who eventually becomes a victor of the Hunger Games.

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 has generated significant buzz, he is not the only notable addition to the film. Jesse Plemons, known from Breaking Bad and Civil War, has been revealed to be playing a young version of the late 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 and written by original Hunger Games screenwriter Billy Ray. The project was announced last summer, followed by a teaser trailer released in April.