Jennifer Lawrence & More To Return in Hunger Games Prequel Movie

Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson are reportedly returning to the Hunger Games franchise. The actors will appear in Lionsgate’s upcoming prequel, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, which will also be their first on-screen reunion as Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark since the original films ended.

Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson will appear in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping

While The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is set 24 years before Katniss Everdeen volunteers as a tribute, the film will cleverly incorporate its veteran stars, Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson, Deadline confirmed.

The plot finds a narrative bridge through the new Suzanne Collins book, which features a scene where an adult Katniss and Peeta listen as Haymitch Abernathy recounts his own harrowing experience in the arena. This framing device allows the Oscar-winning Lawrence and fan-favorite Hutcherson to return without disrupting the prequel’s timeline, also giving a glimpse into their characters’ future.

The prequel itself follows a 16-year-old Haymitch, played by Joseph Zada. The story begins on the morning of the reaping for the 50th Hunger Games, aka the Second Quarter Quell. This edition infamously forces 48 tributes into the arena, where the clever District 12 boy must fight to survive and ultimately become the future mentor to Katniss and Peeta.

Directed by franchise veteran Francis Lawrence, the film is already getting a lot of buzz. Its first teaser trailer scored 109 million views in 24 hours. Further, the latest confirmation ends months of speculation.

Josh Hutcherson had previously addressed their casting rumors, telling Brit + Co in August, “That’d be cool. No, I know nothing in that world right now.” He added, “Hunger Games is amazing, and I’ve loved it for many years and I will love it forever.” Their return comes as both actors enjoy major career momentum. Lawrence just got her seventh Golden Globe nomination for Die My Love, while Hutcherson was part of the massive $64 million opening of Five Nights at Freddy’s 2.

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is set to release on November 20, 2026.

Originally reported by Devanshi Basu on SuperHeroHype.

Source: Comingsoon.net