John Malkovich to haunt London stage as President Snow in ‘Hunger Games’ show

John Malkovich has been officially announced as the face of President Coriolanus Snow in the upcoming The Hunger Games: On Stage production in London. But in a twist, he will not physically tread the boards, his portrayal will instead appear via on-screen segments integrated into the stage narrative.

The stage adaptation, based on Suzanne Collins’s dystopian novels, arrives at the purpose-built Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre. Previews are slated to begin 20 October 2025, leading up to a press opening on 12 November. Malkovich’s domestic role as Snow will live across screens in every performance, elevating a hybrid theatre-meets-film model.

In a statement, Malkovich said he is “delighted to join the world premiere production” and called taking on President Snow “thrilling,” given his admiration for Collins’s novels, the film adaptations, and adaptor Conor McPherson’s script. In the film adaptations, Snow was memorably played by Donald Sutherland; this new version reimagines how the character is represented in a live theatre context.

The cast also includes Mia Carragher as Katniss Everdeen, Euan Garrett as Peeta Mellark, Joshua Lacey as Haymitch Abernathy, Tristan Waterson as Gale, Sophia Ally as Prim, Tamsin Carroll as Effie Tristan, among others. The creative team features director Matthew Dunster, set designer Miriam Buether, video designer Tal Rosner, illusion designer Chris Fisher and a host of other theatre artisans.

Fans and theatre watchers have already begun speculating about how the on-screen Snow will impact the immersive atmosphere. Many see it as a bold move to preserve the presence of this iconic villain without compromising stage logistics. Others question whether a screen role distances the menacing authority Snow demands in the narrative. Online reactions varied, some applauded the innovation, while purists worried it would feel less immediate.

As The Hunger Games: On Stage readies for its London run, Malkovich’s casting deepens the intrigue. Will Snow feel as terrifying when mediated through a screen? The answer could redefine the boundaries of modern theatre.