Ralph Fiennes Cast as President Snow in Upcoming Hunger Games Prequel

LOS ANGELES, CA — Ralph Fiennes has been cast as President Coriolanus Snow in the upcoming Hunger Games film, Sunrise on the Reaping, directed by Francis Lawrence. The film, set to be released on November 20, 2026, adapts the latest novel by Suzanne Collins.

Fiennes, a three-time Oscar nominee, takes over the role from Donald Sutherland, who played President Snow in the original series until his passing in June 2024. 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.” Jacobson reminisced about her admiration for Fiennes, saying, “It’s genuinely a thrill to welcome him to the Hunger Games.”

Sunrise on the Reaping returns audiences to Panem during the reaping for the 50th Hunger Games, a pivotal event that occurred 24 years prior to the first Hunger Games film. The cast includes Joseph Zada as Haymitch Abernathy, Whitney Peak as Lenore Dove Baird, Mckenna Grace as Maysilee Donner, and Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee, among others.

The story follows 16-year-old Haymitch, who is unexpectedly chosen as a tribute for this edition of the Hunger Games. This installment promises a deadly twist with double the number of tributes.

After completing five installments that have grossed over $3.3 billion worldwide, the franchise continues to attract top talent. Fiennes is set to appear in other upcoming films, including 28 Years Later and The Choral.

The film is produced by Color Force, with Jacobson and Brad Simpson leading production efforts. With a script by Billy Ray, Sunrise on the Reaping promises to deliver the same thrilling storytelling fans have come to expect from the series.