Tom Blyth, who played President Coriolanus Snow in The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, has reacted to Ralph Fiennes being cast as the older version of President Snow in the upcoming Sunrise on the Reaping film. Blyth joked about teaching Fiennes a few acting tricks while discussing his own future within the Hunger Games franchise.
Humorous Exchange About the New Casting
Speaking with ScreenRant, Blyth lightheartedly remarked that Ralph Fiennes, although an accomplished actor, could still pick up some lessons from him before portraying the iconic character on screen.
Well, you know, I can probably teach him a few things. He’s still on the rise as an actor, yeah, he’s fairly unknown. But, like, I think he’s gonna have a great career,
Blyth said with laughter.
Fiennes will be the third actor to take on the role of President Snow, following Donald Sutherland from the original Hunger Games series and Tom Blyth himself. Set 24 years before Jennifer Lawrence’s Hunger Games movies and four decades after The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, Sunrise on the Reaping will depict a 58-year-old Snow, portrayed by Fiennes.
Blyth’s Commitment and Acceptance of the Role Change
Although Tom Blyth is only 30, he expressed strong eagerness to continue playing Snow and revealed his willingness to endure extensive makeup to age himself for the part.
There was a time where I literally texted Francis Lawrence and Nina Jacobson and said, ‘Look, I’m happy to go through six hours of prosthetics every morning to make me look like a 55-year-old, 60-year-old man,’
he explained.
In the end, Blyth accepted the decision gracefully and expressed his support for Fiennes stepping into the role.
I think they made the right choice. I think Ralph Fiennes can handle it just fine,
he affirmed.
Potential for Blyth’s Return in Future Projects
Blyth remains optimistic about his involvement in the Hunger Games franchise, suggesting that his character could reappear in later works.
We don’t know that we’ll never be back. There’s a good chance that Suzanne [Collins; Hunger Games author] might choose to write another book that features Snow, and his story, and Tigris and everything,
he stated, hinting at future opportunities.
Significance of the Casting Shift
The casting of Ralph Fiennes as a more seasoned President Snow marks a notable shift in the Hunger Games series timeline, bridging earlier storylines with the future events seen in the original films. Blyth’s openness about the transition highlights the evolving nature of the franchise and keeps fans engaged with the possibility of more expansions centered around Snow and key characters like Tigris. As Sunrise on the Reaping approaches, the audience can anticipate a fresh interpretation of this complex antagonist through Fiennes’ seasoned portrayal.
