Jennifer Lawrence Reveals Emotional Hunger Games Reunion With Josh Hutcherson

Jennifer Lawrence has confirmed that she is returning as Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, revealing how emotional it was to reunite with Josh Hutcherson and Woody Harrelson more than a decade after the original films.

The actress discussed her return during the Call Her Daddy podcast released on Wednesday 28 October 2026, ending speculation about whether the original stars would appear in the latest instalment of the franchise.

Jennifer Lawrence reunites with familiar faces

Lawrence revealed that returning to the production brought back memories of filming the original movies, particularly because several familiar crew members were involved alongside her former co-stars.

Hutcherson returns as Peeta Mellark, while Harrelson reprises his role as Haymitch Abernathy, bringing three characters from the original storyline into a film primarily set decades earlier.

The reunion was especially emotional for Lawrence and Hutcherson, who developed a close friendship while portraying Katniss and Peeta across the four original films released between 2012 and 2015.

Although the three actors are returning, the main storyline concentrates on a younger generation of characters, and their appearances are not expected to dominate the film.

Why Katniss and Peeta appear in a prequel

Sunrise on the Reaping takes place 24 years before the events of the original Hunger Games, following a teenage Haymitch as he is selected to compete in the 50th Hunger Games.

Joseph Zada portrays the younger Haymitch, who must enter an arena containing 48 tributes after the Capitol doubles the number selected for the deadly competition.

The film adapts Suzanne Collins' 2025 novel, which also connects Haymitch's past to his later relationship with Katniss and Peeta, providing a natural opportunity for the original performers to return.

The precise details of their scenes have not been fully disclosed, although their involvement establishes a connection between the prequel storyline and the characters who helped bring the franchise to international audiences.

Who else stars in Sunrise on the Reaping?

The new cast includes Ralph Fiennes as President Snow, Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket and Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee, while Francis Lawrence returns to direct the film.

The story explores Haymitch's early experiences under the Capitol's rule, long before he becomes the troubled mentor responsible for guiding Katniss and Peeta through their own Hunger Games.

For audiences familiar with the original films, the prequel offers an opportunity to understand more about Haymitch's character while revisiting the world of Panem through a different generation.

Watch the trailer:

When is The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping released?

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping arrives in cinemas on Friday 20 November 2026, with selected advance screenings scheduled for 18 and 19 November.

The film marks Lawrence's first return to the role of Katniss since The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 in 2015, making the reunion one of the most notable connections between the new production and the original film series.

Official website: https://www.thehungergames.movie/