Tom Blyth, the actor who portrayed the young Coriolanus Snow in the Hunger Games prequel, has confirmed he will not be part of the next chapter of the franchise, Sunrise on the Reaping. The statement was made in an interview with Decider magazine this Monday (12th), to promote his new Netflix film. Therefore, the return of President Snow in the film premiering in November 2026 will be handled by Ralph Fiennes, who takes on the role previously played by the late Donald Sutherland. This change is significant as the franchise, one of the most influential in dystopian cinema, is in full expansion of its universe, exploring new stories of iconic characters.
The new film, scheduled for release on November 20, 2026, will be an adaptation of Suzanne Collins’s most recent book and will focus on the story of Haymitch Abernathy during the 50th Hunger Games. To tell this narrative, the production opted for extensive recasting, bringing in Joseph Zada as the young Haymitch and other names like Elle Fanning and Kieran Culkin for younger versions of Effie Trinket and Caesar Flickerman, respectively. As a result, Blyth passes the baton to Fiennes with good humor, joking that the veteran actor never asked for his advice, but making his admiration clear.
Future of the Character and the Franchise
Although not in the next film, Tom Blyth left the door open for the future. In his own words, the fate of his Coriolanus Snow depends entirely on author Suzanne Collins, who oversees the creation of the books before Lionsgate’s adaptations. “If she decides to go back and revisit my timeline, then I would absolutely get involved,” stated the actor, showing complete openness to a return. Furthermore, he maintains frequent contact with Francis Lawrence, the director of all the films in the series, showing that ties with the production remain strong.
Another point of great interest for fans is the confirmation that Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson, the original protagonists Katniss and Peeta, are set to return in Sunrise on the Reaping. However, the studio has not yet detailed the extent of the duo’s participation, who appear in a flashforward scene at the end of the new book. Meanwhile, the franchise continues its plan to expand the universe, proving that, even after more than a decade, the games are not over yet. Thus, 2026 promises to be a decisive year for Brazilian fans of the saga, who eagerly await another journey to the districts of Panem.
