Who Tom Blyth Played in ‘The Hunger Games’ Prequel & Why He Won’t Return in ‘Sunrise on the Reaping’

Even though The Hunger Games’ original movies series ended back in 2015 on a pretty definite note, this wasn’t the end for the entire franchise yet.

The first prequel movie, titled The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes and based on Suzanne Collins’ novel of the same name, was released in 2023, introducing a set of new characters, as well as the younger versions of some already familiar faces.

The biggest role in the movie went to Tom Blyth, a young actor who woke up famous ahead of its premiere on par with The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes’ co-star Rachel Zegler.

Eventually, the prequel was a deal so big for Blyth that he reached out to the franchise’s director Francis Lawrence, asking to reprise the role in The Hunger Games’ next prequel movie titled Sunrise on the Reaping.

However, the role of the entire story’s biggest villain has just recently gone to another Oscar-nominated actor.

Tom Blyth Portrayed Future President Snow in ‘The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes’

For The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, the actor was cast as young Coriolanus Snow, first appearing as an Academy student who comes on board for the Hunger Games as one of the mentors.

Also starring Rachel Zegler in one of the leading roles, the movie sees its events unfolding during the 10th Hunger Games, roughly 65 years before Katniss Everdeen volunteered instead of her younger sister Primrose in the original story.

Primarily following the love story between Snow and Zegler’s District 12 tribute Lucy Gray Baird, The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes also witnesses their eventual fallout and the former’s development as one of the most menacing figures in the whole Capitol during more than half a century afterwards.

Tom Blyth Wanted to Reprise His Role in ‘Sunrise on the Reaping’

Even though Coriolanus Snow might not be the most charming person in The Hunger Games’ universe to strive for the role of, Blyth did want to see where his character would go further before becoming Katniss Everdeen’s fiercest rival.

However, the chances were never high neither for him, nor for his co-star Rachel Zegler to return to the franchise.

“Rachel [Zegler] and I are not going to be in this one because the next one takes place 45 years after ours did. It makes me sad because I miss everyone involved. I did text [director] Francis [Lawrence] the other day, and he said, ‘I miss you.’ And I said, ‘Well, prosthetics are really great these days. It wouldn’t be that hard to make me look 65’”, the actor revealed in a recent interview with Variety.

Things aren’t that depressing though, as Conclave’s Oscar nominee Ralph Fiennes will be replacing Tom Blyth as President Snow, just some 40 years older.

“We wanted to honor Donald Sutherland by having one of this generation’s greatest actors play President Snow 24 years before Katniss Everdeen entered the arena. Working with Ralph has been on my bucket list since he traumatized me for life in ‘Schindler’s List.’ It’s genuinely a thrill to welcome him to the Hunger Games”, Sunrise on the Reaping’s producer Nina Jacobson said in an official announcement about Fiennes being cast for one of the leading roles.

When Is ‘Sunrise on the Reaping’ Being Released?

The movie is expected to be released in theatres worldwide on November 20, 2026.