The upcoming Hunger Games prequel, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, has released a new set image offering the first glimpse of Ralph Fiennes as President Snow. Set during the 50th edition of the Hunger Games, this film adapts Suzanne Collins’s latest novel to explore events before the original series, highlighting a crucial period in the franchise’s history and featuring Fiennes in the lead villain’s role.
New Portrayal of President Snow Emerges
The film centers on a younger Haymitch Abernathy with Joseph Zada stepping into the role, replacing Woody Harrelson. This installment also features key character recasts including Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman, Ella Fanning as Effie Trinket, Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee, and notably, Ralph Fiennes taking over the role of President Snow, previously played by Donald Sutherland. Until recently, details on how Fiennes would interpret Snow were unclear.
A since-removed TikTok video by @mira.pdf55 revealed a propaganda-style poster from the set, showcasing Fiennes in costume. The image depicts Snow in military uniform with long, wavy hair reminiscent of Sutherland’s portrayal, suggesting the use of a wig for authenticity. Positioned heroically against a city skyline with an industrial gas tank and a brick building facade nearby, the poster reads:
“Our President Coriolanus Snow: Panem’s No. 1 Peacekeeper.”
— Text from the in-film propaganda poster
Implications for the Story of Sunrise on the Reaping
Previous Hunger Games films were anchored by Jennifer Lawrence’s Katniss Everdeen, but Snow’s shadow loomed as the main antagonist. The 2023 prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, featured a young Snow portrayed by Tom Blyth, while Fiennes’s version represents a later stage in the character’s development, appearing in his late middle age. Unlike Sutherland’s fully white-haired Snow, Fiennes’s wig incorporates dark hair with white streaks, visually marking the film’s timeline.
This propaganda poster hints at how the state continues manipulating public perception to maintain control. Presenting Snow as a “Peacekeeper” could indicate a more front-and-center villain role, in contrast to his earlier depiction as a hidden, sinister force. Fiennes, known for his compelling villain portrayals such as Voldemort in the Harry Potter series, faces the challenge of embodying one of the franchise’s most iconic antagonists, a role Donald Sutherland previously made memorable.
What the Set Photo Suggests About Fiennes’s President Snow
Although the revealed image only shows Fiennes’s likeness on a poster rather than in action, his appearance fits expectations for this version of Snow. The character might bridge the impulsive, morally complex anti-hero depicted in Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes with the cold, calculating tyrant known from the original series. This middle-ground interpretation could provide a fresh perspective on Snow’s rise to power and further deepen the narrative.
Despite the story being a prequel—where audiences already know Snow’s ultimate fate—Sunrise on the Reaping has the opportunity to fill previously unexplored gaps, giving more depth to both Snow and other notable characters in the franchise. The film can enhance fans’ understanding of Panem’s political environment during a defining moment in its history.
Main and Supporting Cast of Sunrise on the Reaping
The cast features several new faces alongside seasoned actors. Joseph Zada takes on the role of Haymitch Abernathy, while Whitney Peak is cast as Lenore Dove Baird, and Mckenna Grace plays Maysilee Donner. Jesse Plemons returns as Plutarch Heavensbee, continuing his presence from earlier entries in the franchise. This ensemble aims to bring complexity and richness to the new storyline, balancing fresh talent with familiar characters.
With these elements in place, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping seeks to deepen the saga’s mythology. Ralph Fiennes’s portrayal of President Snow stands at the center, promising a compelling interpretation that may redefine the franchise’s central antagonist for this new chapter.
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