Lionsgate has filled the final major role in "The Hunger Games." Donald Sutherland will play the villainous President Snow.
The studio announced the casting Tuesday morning.
Sutherland joins an impressive cast. Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Stanley Tucci, Wes Bentley and Lenny Kravitz also star.
"The Hunger Games" is based on Suzanne Collins' novel — the first in a trilogy.
Also Read: 'Hunger Games' Ditches Billy Ray's Script for One by Novelist Suzanne Collins and Director Gary Ross
In the book, teenagers from the 12 districts of the nation of Panem are forced to participate in an annually televized fight-to-the-death events. President Snow has been the ruler of Panem for 25 years and uses the games to intimidate the populace.
On May 27, Lionsgate announced that it instead of using the script by Billy Ray, who wrote "State of Play" and "Shattered Glass," it is filming a script written by the novelist Collins and the movie's director, Gary Ross. Ross wrote "Seabiscuit" and "Dave."
"The Hunger Games" will be produced by Nina Jacobson’s Color Force along with producer Jon Kilik.
Lionsgate will release “The Hunger Games” on March 23, 2012.