Ralph Fiennes as President Snow and Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee in ‘The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping’ Character Posters

Every great dystopian saga needs a captivating villain, and Panem’s President Snow has always fit that bill. With his signature white rose, silver hair, and soft-spoken menace, he stands as one of modern cinema’s most recognizable tyrants. For fans of the franchise, the anticipation has never been about his return, but rather who would don the cravat next.

Donald Sutherland portrayed Snow in all four original films, while Tom Blyth took on the younger version in ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes‘. Now, Ralph Fiennes steps into the role for the upcoming prequel, ‘The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping’. This casting choice has sparked significant intrigue among fans.

Fans have already caught a glimpse of Fiennes’ portrayal. A propaganda-style poster released last year showcased him as Snow, complete with a wig mimicking Sutherland’s flowing hairstyle, under the slogan “Panem’s #1 Peacekeeper”. The militaristic tone of the poster received an enthusiastic response.

Now, Lionsgate has unveiled a new character poster featuring Fiennes as President Snow, presenting a tight close-up of his face. The design incorporates white roses and thorny vines, while his long, swept-back white hair and piercing blue eyes complete the striking image. The tagline confirms the film will hit theaters and IMAX on November 20.

Fiennes portrays Snow at a pivotal moment in his life. In ‘Sunrise on the Reaping’, Snow is in his late 50s, long before he assumes control over Panem for decades. This makes him a slightly younger version than the character Sutherland portrayed, which Fiennes reportedly embraces.

Fiennes has acknowledged the challenge of stepping into Sutherland’s shoes, noting the complexity Sutherland brought to the role. The roses featured on the poster allude to the villain’s famous trademark, which he famously used to communicate with Katniss.

The film revisits Panem 24 years before the events of ‘The Hunger Games’. It begins on the morning of the reaping for the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell. This installment features a larger scale, with 100% more contestants than usual.

Joseph Zada plays young Haymitch Abernathy, a role made famous by Woody Harrelson. According to the logline, Haymitch forms an unexpected alliance with fellow tribute Maysilee Donner, portrayed by Mckenna Grace. Together, they join a coalition aimed at challenging the Capitol’s control under Snow.

An earlier trailer opened with Haymitch facing off against Snow, who reveals he knows quite a bit about him, including his love for Lenore Dove Baird, played by Whitney Peak. This sets the stage for tense interactions between the villain and other characters.

The supporting cast is filled with talent. Elle Fanning plays a young Effie Trinket, Kieran Culkin is Caesar Flickerman, and Jesse Plemons takes on the role of Plutarch Heavensbee. Glenn Close portrays Drusilla Sickle, while Maya Hawke, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Lili Taylor, Billy Porter, and Ben Wang complete the ensemble. Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson are also listed in the cast.

Francis Lawrence returns to direct, working from a screenplay by Billy Ray. The movie is based on Suzanne Collins’ 2025 novel, with Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, and Lawrence producing. Principal photography took place from July to November 2025 across various locations in Spain and Germany.

Witness the beginning of the revolution. #TheHungerGames: Sunrise on the Reaping – in theaters & IMAX November 20. https://t.co/fKCrWXIk3T

— The Hunger Games (@TheHungerGames) September 16, 2026

As the sixth installment in the franchise that began in 2012, the film is rated PG-13 and has a runtime of 2 hours and 30 minutes. With the release date just over a month away, the marketing efforts are clearly ramping up.

Fiennes’ poster suggests the film aims to convey the weight of Snow’s presence. He appears calm and polished, which enhances his dangerous allure. If the movie lives up to this promise, it could deliver one of the franchise’s most memorable villain portrayals.

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