"The Hunger Games: Dawn at the Reaping" Casts Ralph Fiennes as President Snow
Ralph Fiennes has been cast as the next Coriolanus Snow in the forthcoming prequel film "The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping", Lionsgate announced on Friday. The British actor, who rose to fame in the "Harry Potter" and "Conclave" series, will take on the role of the hard-hearted autocratic president of Panem, a position previously held by the late Donald Sutherland in the original series.
"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," producer Nina Jacobson said in a statement. "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."
The production company also revealed on Instagram that "American Born Chinese" star Ben Wang has been cast as Wyatt Callow, a tribute from District 12. Other cast members include Joseph Zada, Whitney Peak, Mckenna Grace, Jesse Plemons, Maya Hawke, and Lili Taylor.
"The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping" hits theaters on Nov. 20, 2026. The film will follow the events leading up to the 10th Hunger Games competition.
Notably, Tom Blyth played the character of President Snow in the 2023 prequel "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes". The film, however, is set decades before the events of the upcoming prequel.
The casting of Fiennes and other actors adds to the growing anticipation for the return to the world of "The Hunger Games". The fifth movie is expected to begin filming in July.
- The upcoming film "The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping," set to release in 2026, promises an environmentally conscious climate, as the production company incorporates a diverse international cast, including Ralph Fiennes, who portrays the young Coriolanus Snow.
- In addition to his duties as the hard-hearted autocratic president of Panem, Fiennes is also known for his involvement in movies and TV, such as "Schindler's List" and the "Harry Potter" series, a testament to his influence in the entertainment industry.
- Whilst discussions about climate change and the environment are gaining importance worldwide, international food rights organizations are monitoring the dietary requirements and circumstances of the actors involved in "The Hunger Games" prequels, to ensure their adherence to the series' thematic roots.
