The Hunger Games: Ralph Fiennes Officially Cast as President Snow for Prequel "Sunrise on the Reaping"

There were rumors a few weeks ago, but now it's official: a central character has been cast for the upcoming "Hunger Games" prequel "Sunrise on the Reaping". "Harry Potter" star Ralph Fiennes will play the antagonist President Snow.

President Snow

Coriolanus Snow is the main antagonist in the "Hunger Games" saga. As the authoritarian ruler of Panem, he uses cruel methods to secure the power of the Capitol – including the annual Hunger Games. In the original four films, he was played by the now deceased Hollywood legend Donald Sutherland. Snow also played a central role in the prequel film "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes". Tom Blyth played the young Coriolanus here, around 60 years before the main plot.

Ralph Fiennes as President Snow

Ralph Fiennes will now follow in Sutherland's big footsteps. After all, Fiennes has already taken on several iconic villain roles in his long film career. Most people will probably know him as Lord Voldemort from the "Harry Potter" films. He also made a big impression as Amon Göth in "Schindler's List". Producer Nina Jacobson emphasizes:

"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"."

Fiennes was last seen in the Academy Award-winning "Conclave". He will also soon be taking on a role in the end-time sequel "28 Years Later".

Plot and start date

"Sunrise on the Reaping" will again be based on a novel by "Hunger Games" author Suzanne Collins. This time, the focus is on Katniss' later mentor Haymitch Abernathy. Haymitch takes part in the 50th Hunger Games, in which twice as many tributes have to compete against each other.

Recently, there have already been a number of new casting announcements for "Sunrise on the Reaping". You can find all the information here. Filming of the prequel is scheduled to start in July 2025. The director is once again franchise veteran Francis Lawrence, who has directed all films in the series from "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" onwards. The theatrical release is scheduled for November 20, 2026.

Ralph Fiennes and his antagonist roles

In addition to his serious and nuanced character roles, Fiennes has also established himself as one of the most impressive actors of movie villains. Whether ice-cold Nazi commander, power-obsessed wizard or choleric gangster – his antagonists are never mere caricatures of evil.

Amon Göth in "Schindler's List"

In Steven Spielberg's Holocaust drama, Fiennes plays SS officer Amon Göth – one of the most terrifying portrayals of a historical antagonist in modern cinema. Göth is the commandant of a concentration camp and is shown as a sadistic man of power. Fiennes was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance.

Francis Dolarhyde in "Red Dragon"

In this prequel to "The Silence of the Lambs", Fiennes plays the serial killer Francis Dolarhyde - also known as "Red Dragon". The film is based on the novel by Thomas Harris and depicts the investigations of FBI agent Will Graham, who is hunting Dolarhyde. He lives in seclusion and is driven by an inner voice that compels him to commit gruesome murders. Fiennes' performance makes "Red Dragon" a psychologically complex thriller with a haunting antagonist.

Harry in "In Bruges"

Fiennes plays Harry, a gangster boss with a choleric temperament, in Martin McDonagh's black-humored tragicomedy "In Bruges". He is the boss of two hitmen who are hiding out in Bruges, Belgium, after a botched job. Fiennes plays him with a mixture of furious determination and absurdly comic pathos. Despite his limited screen time, Harry remains a memorable character – above all because of Ralph Fiennes.

Lord Voldemort in the "Harry Potter" series

The "Harry Potter" series is one of the most successful film series of all time – a global phenomenon that has shaped an entire generation. Lord Voldemort is the main antagonist of the "Harry Potter" universe – a character that for many viewers has merged with Ralph Fiennes' portrayal. Fiennes lends this character a nightmarish presence. Through his performance, Voldemort has become one of the most iconic movie villains.