Summary
Tom Blyth and the officialHunger GamesInstagram account pay tribute to Donald Sutherland following news of his passing, celebrating the actor’s on-screen presence, impact, and kind nature. Sutherland first portrayed Panem dictator Coriolanus Snow in the 2012 adaptation of Suzanne Collins' young adult novel and reprised the role for three sequels, while Blyth played the young Coriolanus inThe Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.Alongside hisHunger Gamesrole, Sutherland was recognizable for his roles inInvasion of the Body Snatchers, Pride and Prejudice,andM.A.S.H,among many others.
Following news of Sutherland’s passing, theofficialHunger GamesInstagram accountandBlythhave released tributes celebrating the acclaimed actor.
While they never met, Blyth celebrated Sutherland’s talent in his many roles, thanking him for inspiring him. He then references his iconic character Snow, saying, “Thank you sir for birthing one of the great movie characters of all time.”
Meanwhile,The Hunger Gamescelebrated his kindness away from the camera and for bringing the memorable villain to the screen, saying, “Such was the power and skill of Donald Sutherland’s acting that he created one more indelible character among many others that defined his legendary career.”
Why Donald Sutherland Chose To Play President Snow
Sutherland Has A History Of His Political Activism.
While Snow’s role was limited primarily to a handful of new scenes, Sutherland ensured each moment conveyed the cold, controlling, crushing reign the Capitol inflicted on Panem.
Despite Coriolanus Snow’s true villainy being well documented between Blyth and Sutherland’s portrayal, the latter couldn’t be further fromhisHunger Gamescharacter. Alongside Jane Fonda, Sutherland was a notable anti-war protester throughout the US’s invasion of Vietnam as part of the Free the Army tour, while he would later be a vocal opponent of the US invasion of Iraq. His activism led to him being recognized as someone authorities felt they had to keep an eye on, with the CIA placing Sutherland on the NSA watch list throughout the early 70s.
Donald Sutherland’s 10 Best Movies, Ranked
Donald Sutherland is a prolific actor whose influence and abilities have inspired countless filmmakers and up-and-coming actors through his movies.
As such, it is perhaps unsurprising that Sutherland quickly recognized the subtext and themes behindThe Hunger Games, and envisioned how Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) could embolden a new generation. The actor stated in an interview ahead of the first film’s release that he was “thrilled” by the prospect of younger viewers that he considered politically dormant being spurred into action. While Snow’s role was limited primarily to a handful of new scenes, Sutherland ensured each moment conveyed the cold, controlling, crushing reign theCapitol inflicted on Panem inThe Hunger Games.
Sutherland also wrote a letter toThe Hunger Gamesdirector Gary Ross to portray the character.
With his dedicated, celebrated work inThe Hunger Gamesand beyond, Sutherland’s loss is felt by viewers and those who worked alongside him in the industry. As such, the sentiments from Blyth andThe Hunger Gamesare sure to be shared by many. Sutherland recognized the impact the stories could have on the world, leaving behind an incredible legacy both on-screen and off-screen.
Source:The Hunger Games/Instagram,Tom Blyth/Instagram
The Hunger Games
The Hunger Games is a multi-movie franchise starring Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen. The films are based on the young adult dystopian book series by author Suzanne Collins. The first film was released in 2012, followed by Catching Fire in 2013, Mockingjay Part 1 in 2014, and Mockingjay Part 2 in 2015. In 2023, the fifth film in the series was released, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
