Katniss Returns! Why Jennifer Lawrence Is Back for a New Hunger Games Movie & What It Means for the Future

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Okay, Hunger Games fans, get ready! Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson are officially returning as Katniss and Peeta! It’s been over ten years since we last saw them in the arena, and honestly, it feels huge to have them back for the 2026 prequel, Sunrise on the Reaping. This new film adapts Suzanne Collins’ book of the same name, and it’s going to delve into the backstory of Haymitch Abernathy – specifically, how he won his Hunger Games. Now, a quick heads-up: if you’re going in completely blind, be aware this movie will reveal some details about the events leading up to his victory.

Since Sunrise on the Reaping is set over twenty years before Katniss and Peeta compete in the Hunger Games, they aren’t characters in the main story – they haven’t even been born yet. The book primarily focuses on the 50th Hunger Games, known as the Second Quarter Quell. However, it includes a concluding section where Haymitch shares his life story with Katniss and Peeta after the events of Mockingjay, when he feels safe enough to reveal his past. This is the part that will allow Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson to return as Katniss and Peeta.

Could Katniss & Peeta’s Sunrise On The Reaping Roles Have Been Kept A Secret?

The announcement of Lawrence and Hutcherson’s involvement has generated a lot of buzz, though some fans are disappointed it wasn’t kept a secret for those who’d discover it in theaters. While the scene will probably be short and filmed quickly on a private set, keeping it a surprise until the movie comes out seems unlikely. Secrets rarely stay hidden for long, and news usually leaks somehow.

This benefits Lionsgate because it creates a strong marketing angle. Bringing back familiar characters instantly makes Sunrise on the Reaping a major event, which is important for the series’ success. The previous film, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, earned $348.9 million, making it the lowest-performing movie in the franchise so far.

Compared to the next highest-grossing film, Mockingjay – Part 2 ($661.4 million), this movie saw a noticeable decrease in earnings. However, a lower production budget (around $100 million) helped lessen the impact. While several things contributed to the difference, the fact that this film wasn’t as directly tied to the main storyline likely hurt its performance. Featuring the original characters and actors in the marketing should definitely improve results this time.

It’s likely some characters will have a bit more screen time than they do in the book, though the story and its timeline will limit how much they can add. Instead of just appearing at the end, the movie could open with scenes featuring Katniss, Peeta, and possibly Haymitch, using them to set up the story and provide context throughout.

Could Katniss & Peeta Return For A Hunger Games Sequel?

While Katniss and Peeta’s quick appearance in Sunrise on the Reaping has fans wondering if more could be coming, a full return – perhaps with Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson reprising their roles in a new Mockingjay sequel – seems to hinge on author Suzanne Collins. Every Hunger Games film has been based on one of her books, and there’s no indication she’d want to deviate from that pattern. If Collins were to write another book, Lionsgate would almost certainly be eager to adapt it into a film, though it’s less clear if Lawrence and Hutcherson would be interested in returning.

In an interview with Variety in early 2025, David Levithan, Suzanne Collins’ editor at Scholastic, stated he felt Mockingjay provided a definitive conclusion to the series. While he believes that’s where the story should end—particularly since Collins hasn’t published any further Hunger Games books—he acknowledged that sequels often happen and characters frequently reappear, so nothing can be completely ruled out, even if it seems unlikely.

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping will be released in theaters on 20th November, 2026.

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2025-12-11 18:40