Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reading has finally cast the franchise’s main villain, President Snow. The upcoming prequel movie will follow Haymitch Abernathy’s (Joseph Zada) tournament in the 50th Hunger Games, after the original being one of the core characters in the original trilogy. With the movie slated for release in 2026, there have been nearly daily announcements about the casting for Sunrise on the Reaping, including several District 12 tributes and younger versions of returning franchise characters.
According to Deadline, three-time Oscar-nominated actor Ralph Fiennes will portray President Snow in Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. The casting confirmation comes months after the actor was rumored to portray the franchise’s key antagonist. The franchise producer, Nina Jacobson, commented on the reason for the casting, citing it as a way to pay tribute to Donald Sutherland, who passed away last summer. Read her comment below:
“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.”
Why Ralph Fiennes’ Casting As President Snow Is A Big Deal For Sunrise On The Reaping
He Is Now The Third Actor To Portray The Iconic Villain
Fiennes now joins a growing list of actors who have now portrayed the iconic Hunger Games villain. While Sutherland iconized the role during the original trilogy, Tom Blyth portrayed the younger version in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, which followed the villain’s origin story. President Snow remains the key antagonist in the Hunger Games franchise, with the upcoming prequel setting the dynamic between him and District 12 tribute and eventual winner Haymitch. In Sunrise on the Reaping, Snow has already taken up the role of Panem’s President and will be in his 50s.
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President Coriolanus Snow has multiple appearances in Sunrise on the Reaping, including a glimpse of Haymitch Abernathy seeing him physically ill.
While the role comes after having been freshly nominated for Conclave at the recent Academy Awards, Fiennes also has a history of portraying iconic franchise villains. The actor previously portrayed Voldemort in five Harry Potter movies, a franchise that is also expecting its own television reboot. He left quite a mark on He Must Not Be Named, which makes his casting as President Snow pretty solid.
Our Take On Fiennes Casting As President Snow
Despite The Fan Casting With Another Star, Fiennes Is Literally Perfect!
Donald Sutherland was able to create the character so well, and it’s proving more difficult to find stars who can emulate the daunting performance of the powerful tyrant. Understandably, many folks wanted Kiefer Sutherland to portray the iconic villain, considering he is the son of Donald Sutherland and bears his resemblance. While this casting choice will disappoint some, Fiennes is also an Oscar-nominated star, and Jacobson’s statement supports why he was the best actor for the job.
Thankfully, Fiennes won’t require magic to exude the dictator. By this point, President Snow has already become ruthless, which would lead to the tragedy that befalls Haymitch and set the course for the events in the original trilogy. I have no doubt that Fiennes can showcase that side of him, and I can only warn that viewers should be prepared for the performance to come in Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.
Source: Deadline
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping
- Release Date
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November 20, 2026
- Director
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Francis Lawrence
- Writers
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Billy Ray
- Producers
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Brad Simpson
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Joseph Zada
Haymitch Abernathy
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Whitney Peak
Lenore Dove Baird
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Mckenna Grace
Maysilee Donner
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