Accio, President Snow? The Capitol just found its voice — and it’s one we know all too well.Ralph Fienneshas officially been cast as Coriolanus Snow inThe Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, Lionsgate’s latest installment in the ever-expanding dystopian franchise based onSuzanne Collins' bestselling novels.Harry Pottervillain Fiennes, who played Lord Voldemort across the franchise, joins the prequel’s already starry cast that includesJoseph Zadaas a young Haymitch Abernathy,Whitney Peakas Lenore Dove Baird,Mckenna Graceas Maysilee Donner,Jesse Plemonsas Plutarch Heavensbee,Ben Wangas Wyatt Callo,Maya Hawkeas Wiress,Kelvin Harrison Jr.as Beetee,andLili Tayloras Mags.
Fiennes’ version of Snow falls squarely betweenTom Blyth’sportrayal inThe Ballad of Songbirds and SnakesandDonald Sutherland’siconic original performance. Set 40 years afterSongbirdsand 24 years before Katniss Everdeen takes up her bow,Sunrise on the Reapingwill see the rise of a calculating, hardened Snow asPanem prepares for its 50th Hunger Games — the brutal Second Quarter Quell.
This latest installment will once again be directed byFrancis Lawrence, who has helmed everyHunger Gamesfilm sinceCatching Fire.Billy Rayis adapting the screenplay, with Color Force’sNina JacobsonandBrad Simpsonproducing alongsideCameron MacConomyas executive producer. The prequel is based on Collins’ latest novel, which sold 1.5 million copies globally in its first week — doubling the opening sales ofThe Ballad of Songbirds and Snakesand tripling those ofMockingjay.
Ralph Fiennes' Casting Will Honor Donald Sutherland
Jacobson, who has overseen the franchise’s casting from the start, said the decision to cast Fiennes was about continuing a tradition of excellence. “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,” she toldVariety. “Working with Ralph has been on my bucket list since he traumatized me for life inSchindler’s List. It’s genuinely a thrill to welcome him toThe Hunger Games.” Fiennes — a BAFTA and Tony winner who recently earned Oscar and Globe nods forConclave— brings his gravitas to a role that has been defined by cunning, cruelty, and complexity. And as we know, Snow always lands on top.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reapinghits theaters June 10, 2025.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping
