Ralph Fiennes has been selected to portray President Coriolanus Snow in Lionsgate's latest adaptation from the Hunger Games series, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. This exciting casting news was shared via the official Hunger Games X/Twitter account. Fiennes, known for his roles in The Conclave and the Harry Potter series, is set to take on one of the franchise's pivotal characters.

Sunrise on the Reaping is set in the timeline between the events of the four main Hunger Games films starring Jennifer Lawrence and the 2023 prequel, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. The earlier prequel showcased a young Coriolanus Snow, portrayed by Tom Blyth, evolving into the ruthless dictator later played by Donald Sutherland in the original series. Fiennes' portrayal will explore President Snow at a midpoint in his life, focusing on the story of District 12 tribute and eventual victor, Haymitch Abernathy.

Producer Nina Jacobson expressed enthusiasm 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 generated significant buzz among fans, he is not the only eagerly anticipated casting for Sunrise on the Reaping. Other notable additions include Jesse Plemons, known for his roles in Breaking Bad and Civil War, who will play a younger version of the character originally portrayed by the late Philip Seymour Hoffman, 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: 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 the screenplay penned by original Hunger Games writer Billy Ray. The project was announced last summer, with a teaser trailer released in April of this year.