Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson Returning for Hunger Games Prequel

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It seems likely that Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson will be back for another Hunger Games movie.

Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson are returning as Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark in the new Hunger Games movie, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. The film, a prequel, will focus on the story of Woody Harrelson’s character, Haymitch Abernathy, according to several reports.

At the end of the movie, we’ll probably see a scene set in the future. This scene mirrors a part in the original Suzanne Collins book where, after the revolution in the Capitol (detailed in Mockingjay), Katniss and Peeta learn about Haymitch’s difficult past.

Haymitch explained in the epilogue of Sunrise on the Reaping that he didn’t want any part of creating a memorial book after the war. He questioned its purpose, asking what good it would do except to make everyone remember the pain of their losses.

It really touched me to see Katniss and Peeta reach out to Haymitch like that. After finding out how much his late friend, Lenora, loved geese, they gave him a whole flock to look after. It felt like a beautiful way to honor her memory and give Haymitch something to care for, especially after everything he’d been through.

 “Like the geese,” Haymitch remarked, “we really did mate for life.”

When Haymitch finally shared the terrible experiences he had as a tribute in the second Quarter Quell, he began to see how similar he was to Katniss.

Haymitch admitted she was a difficult person, much like himself, as Peeta often pointed out. However, he acknowledged she was more clever or fortunate than he was. He also said she was the reason their district avoided having a tribute selected at the reaping – she was the one who changed their fate that year.

Although Woody hasn’t officially said he’s returning to the Hunger Games movies, his voice appeared in a new trailer, saying, “I think these games are gonna be different.”

The new Hunger Games film, Sunrise on the Reaping, will be released on November 20, 2026. The movie stars Joseph Zada as a young Haymitch Abernathy, and features Glenn Close, McKenna Grace, Elle Fanning, Ralph Fiennes, Jesse Plemons, Kieran Culkin, Billy Porter, and Whitney Peak.

For everything to know about the movie, keep reading…

A little birdie, er mockingjay, revealed the movie will be released November 20, 2026.

This book tells the story leading up to The Hunger Games, taking place twenty-four years before Katniss Everdeen’s story begins.

The novel opens on the day of the reaping for the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.

According to author Suzanne Collins, the story begins with widespread fear across the districts of Panem. This year, to mark the Quarter Quell, twice as many teenagers will be chosen as tributes. In District 12, Haymitch Abernathy is focused on surviving the day and being with the person he cares about.

Oh my gosh, you guys, I’m SO excited! They’ve cast Joseph Zada as Haymitch Abernathy for the new Hunger Games movie! I loved Woody Harrelson in the role, of course, but Joseph is just… amazing. And it’s not like he’s a newbie either! I’ve already seen him in We Were Liars, Invisible Boys, Total Control, and even The Speedway Murders – he’s seriously talented and I know he’s going to absolutely nail this role. I can’t wait!

Whitney Peak will portray Lenore Dove Baird, Haymitch’s girlfriend. Peak is known for her roles in several TV series, including the Gossip Girl reboot, Home Before Dark, and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. She’s also appeared in films like Campfire Kiss, Molly’s Game, and Hocus Pocus 2.

Mckenna Grace plays Maysilee Donner, the District 12 tribute alongside Katniss. Many viewers will recognize her from her previous roles – she’s appeared on the Disney show Crash & Bernstein, the soap opera The Young and the Restless, and in the film Gifted, where she won a Critics Choice Award. She’s also been in films like I, Tonya, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Annabelle Comes Home, and The Bad Seed. On television, she’s appeared in shows such as The Haunting of Hill House and The Handmaid’s Tale, earning an Emmy nomination for her work on the latter.

Jesse Plemons is taking over the role of Plutarch Heavensbee, previously played by the late Philip Seymour Hoffman in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and the Mockingjay films. Plemons is a highly acclaimed actor, having received an Oscar nomination for The Power of the Dog and Emmy nominations for his work in Love & Death, Black Mirror, and Fargo – where he met his partner, Kirsten Dunst. He’s also appeared in popular films and series like Killers of the Flower Moon, The Irishman, Battleship, and Breaking Bad.

Kelvin Harrison Jr. will be playing Beetee, the winner of the 74th Hunger Games and father of Ampert Latier, a contestant in the 50th Games. Jeffrey Wright previously played the role in earlier Hunger Games films.

Kelvin Harrison Jr. is known for his work in movies and TV shows like Genius, Chevalier, Waves, Luce, and It Comes at Night. He’s also done voice work for animated films, including Mufasa: The Lion King.

The news that Maya Hawke will be playing Wiress – a Hunger Games victor and mentor (previously played by Amanda Plummer in Catching Fire) – is incredibly exciting! Hawke comes from a famous acting family, with parents Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke, and has already shown her talent in roles like Jo March in Little Women, Eleanor in Do Revenge, Anxiety in Inside Out 2, and, of course, as Robin in Stranger Things.

Lili Taylor is taking on the role of Mags, a former Hunger Games victor and mentor from District 12. The character was originally played by the late Lynn Cohen in Catching Fire. Taylor is an Emmy-nominated actress known for her work in shows like American Crime and Six Feet Under. She’s also appeared in several popular films, including The Conjuring, Mystic Pizza, Say Anything, and I Shot Andy Warhol.

Wyatt Callow, a tribute from District 12, is played by Ben Wang. Wang is also known for his roles in several other projects, including the new Hunger Games movie, Karate Kid: Legends, the film adaptation of Mean Girls, Good Egg, Sight, and American Born Chinese.

Ralph Fiennes is well known for playing President Snow, the ruler of Panem, in The Hunger Games films. Tom Blyth previously portrayed the character in The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, and the late Donald Sutherland took on the role in Catching Fire and both Mockingjay installments.

Fiennes is a highly acclaimed actor, having been nominated for three Oscars for his performances in films like Conclave, The English Patient, and Schindler’s List. He’s also received seven BAFTA nominations, and earned praise for his work in The Grand Budapest Hotel, Coriolanus, The Constant Gardener, and The End Of The Affair. In addition, he was nominated for an Emmy for his role in Bernard And Doris.

 

Molly McCann plays the character of Louella, a tribute from District 12. McCann is an accomplished actress with a growing list of credits, including TV shows like Bad Sisters, The Hardacres, The Boy That Never Was, and Star Wars: Visions. She’s also appeared in films such as Herself, Freelance, Never Grow Old, and Feed.

Iona Bell plays Lou Lou, who looks just like Louella. You might recognize Bell from her roles in films like Fing!, Savage Flowers, and Frayed, as well as the TV show Mandrake.

Many are wondering who will play Effie Trinket in the upcoming film. While Elizabeth Banks previously portrayed the character in The Hunger Games movies, Elle Fanning is now taking on the role. In Sunrise on the Reaping, Effie is Haymitch Abernathy’s stylist leading up to the 50th Hunger Games.

Elle Fanning began her career alongside her sister Dakota Fanning in the 2001 film I Am Sam, and has since starred in popular movies like Maleficent, Somewhere, Super 8, The Beguiled, and A Complete Unknown.

On television, she’s known for her roles in The Girl from Plainville and The Great, the latter of which earned her an Emmy nomination.

Stanley Tucci famously played Caesar Flickerman in the Hunger Games movies, but the franchise has now cast Kieran Culkin to take on the role. Culkin started acting as a child, appearing in films like Home Alone alongside his brother Macaulay, as well as Father of the Bride and She’s All That. After a break, he returned to acting with roles in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, Succession, and A Real Pain, earning his first Oscar nomination for the latter.

Glenn Close is taking on the mean-spirited energy of District 12 tributes’ escort Drusilla Sickle.

In a statement released on June 16th, producer Nina Jacobs praised actress Glenn, calling her a “dream Drusilla.” Jacobs highlighted Glenn’s intelligence and creativity, noting her ability to create memorable and iconic characters.

Before landing her latest role, the actress impressed audiences in films such as Fatal Attraction, The Wife, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Hillbilly Elegy.

Billy Porter played Magno Stift, the fashion designer for the District 12 tributes and the estranged husband of Drusilla. He was known for getting ideas for his designs from live reptiles.

Nina was particularly impressed by Billy’s performance in Pose, the role that won him an award (he received the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series prize in 2019 for playing Pray Tell).

In a statement released on June 16th, she described Billy as a remarkably talented performer who can be both captivating and deeply moving. She noted that working with him on Pose left a lasting impression on her, appreciating him not only as an actor but also as a person.

He’s appeared in several popular projects, such as American Horror Story, Cinderella, and The Broken Hearts Club: A Romantic Comedy.

Francis Lawrence is a seasoned director, previously known for his work on The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and both parts of Mockingjay. Beyond that franchise, he’s directed films like Slumberland, See, and Red Sparrow starring Jennifer Lawrence. He’s also a prolific music video director, with credits including Beyoncé’s “Run the World (Girls),” Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance,” Britney Spears’ “Circus,” and Jennifer Lopez’s “Jenny From the Block.”

Billy Ray is well-known to the series, as he previously directed the first film based on Suzanne Collins’ novel. He’s also worked on movies like Terminator: Dark Fate, Flightplan, and Captain Phillips, earning an Oscar nomination for the latter. Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson are producing the new film, Sunrise on the Reaping, with Cameron MacConomy as executive producer.

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2025-12-11 05:50