Hunger Games Star Tom Blyth Addresses Potential Return Hopes As President Snow Ahead Of Sunrise On The Reaping Release

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With a new Hunger Games prequel planned for 2026, Tom Blyth is discussing his potential involvement. Though he’s been acting for over ten years in films like Benediction and Scott and Syd, it was his role as a young Coriolanus Snow in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes that truly launched his career in Hollywood.

Donald Sutherland famously played President Snow in the first four Hunger Games films. While Tom Blyth portrayed him briefly, audiences were immediately impressed by his nuanced performance. Ralph Fiennes will now take on the role for the new prequel, Sunrise on the Reaping, as the story requires a younger President Snow, in his fifties.

When asked by Decider if he might return for Sunrise on the Reaping, perhaps in a flashback, the actor playing young Snow, Blyth, stated he wasn’t involved in the new film, adding, “Sorry to disappoint.”

Despite the current story arc concluding, he remains optimistic about the possibility of revisiting his character’s journey. He explained that any future installments would depend on Suzanne Collins, the author, deciding to continue the story, as Lionsgate always adapts her books first. He would gladly participate if she chose to do so. However, even if that doesn’t happen, he’s happy to see the new characters and stories succeed.

The discussion shifted to whether Ralph Fiennes had ever contacted him about the part. Blyth confirmed that Fiennes hadn’t, then playfully expressed surprise that Fiennes hadn’t asked for his advice. He quickly clarified he was joking, adding he wouldn’t be able to help Fiennes anyway. He finished by saying it was amazing to see someone he’d admired for years take on a role he himself had been fortunate enough to play.

In The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, the story centers on Snow and explores the events that turned him from a student into the ruthless dictator he becomes. This prequel to The Hunger Games is set during the 10th annual Hunger Games, which was ultimately won by Lucy Gray Baird, a tribute from District 12 (played by Rachel Zegler).

As a huge fan of the series, I was really intrigued to see Sunrise on the Reaping jump ahead to the 50th Hunger Games – also known as the Second Quarter Quell. It’s famous for being particularly savage, and it’s the Games where Haymitch Abernathy, played by Joseph Zada, actually won – beating out a massive field of 47 other tributes.

Everyone thought the Hunger Games series was finished after Katniss Everdeen’s story, but Suzanne Collins surprised readers with a prequel novel. Soon after The Ballads of Songbirds and Snakes came out, she announced another prequel, this time focusing on Haymitch Abernathy’s experiences in the Games, and Lionsgate immediately began plans to make it into a movie.

Both director Francis Lawrence and producer Nina Jacobson, similar to author Suzanne Collins, are committed to continuing the Hunger Games movies, but only if Collins decides to write additional books. Currently, there’s no word on whether more books are planned. Furthermore, Sunrise on the Reaping would conclude the stories of all the winners from District 12, as the district has only had four victors throughout the series.

Despite this, many fans have expressed a strong desire to see prequel stories focusing on Finnick Odair from District 4 and Joanna Mason from District 7.

Sadly, Wes Bentley won’t be back as his famous character, but Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson are returning to play Katniss and Peeta. This will be the first time in over ten years that the original stars have rejoined the series, and it’s likely their return will focus on the events described in the book’s final chapter.

You can also see Blyth in the new Netflix movie People We Meet on Vacation. Plus, the Watch Dog adaptation is finished filming and being edited, but a release date hasn’t been announced yet.

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping will be released in theaters on November 20, 2026.

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2026-01-11 07:00