Donald Sutherland joins cast of "The Hunger Games"

Donald Sutherland arrives for the "The Pillars of the Earth" premiere on Oct. 26, 2010, in Berlin.

/ Getty

(CBS) "The Hunger Games" has added another notable name to its star-studded cast.

The actor will play President Snow, the ruler of Panem, Lionsgate announced in a press release on Tuesday.

Pictures: "The Hunger Games" cast

In Suzanne Collins' novel, Snow is described as a small, thin man, with cruel and ruthless sensibilities. He controls Panem (and its annual Hunger Games) from his palace in the nation's Capitol.

Sutherland ("M*A*S*H," "Ordinary People," "Klute") joins previously-announced castmembers Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Elizabeth Banks, Woody Harrelson, Lenny Kravitz and Stanley Tucci in the film, which is scheduled to be released on March 23, 2012.

Tell us: What do you think of Sutherland's casting?

18 Photos

"The Hunger Games" cast