Ralph Fiennes has been cast as President Coriolanus Snow in Lionsgate’s highly anticipated adaptation of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. The news of the Harry Potter alum’s involvement was confirmed via the official Hunger Games Twitter account. His casting marks one of the most significant reveals in the franchise’s ongoing transition to new stories.

Taking place before the events of the original Hunger Games quartet and following the prequel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Sunrise on the Reaping shifts focus to District 12 tribute Haymitch Abernathy. Fiennes’ portrayal of Snow bridges the gap between Tom Blyth’s younger version in the prequel and Donald Sutherland’s iconic depiction in the original series.

Producer Nina Jacobson expressed excitement over 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.” She added, “It’s genuinely a thrill to welcome him to the Hunger Games.”

Fiennes joins a star-studded lineup, including Jesse Plemons (Breaking Bad, Civil War), who will portray a younger version of Plutarch Heavensbee, originally played by Philip Seymour Hoffman. Additionally, Joseph Zada (Total Control, Invisible Boys) will star as Haymitch.

Directed by series veteran Francis Lawrence and written by original Hunger Games screenwriter Billy Ray, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is adapted from Suzanne Collins’ 2025 novel. Set for release on November 20, 2026, the film was announced last summer, with a teaser trailer released earlier this year.

Image credit: Daniele Venturelli/WireImage.