Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson Are Back in The Hunger Games: What We Know About Sunrise on the Reaping

Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson in 2013’s The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.

Lionsgate/Kobal/Shutterstock

Key Details

• Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson will reprise their roles in the upcoming Hunger Games movie, Sunrise on the Reaping, scheduled for release on November 20, 2026.
• The characters, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark, are featured in an epilogue chapter of Suzanne Collins’ prequel novel of the same name.
• This film marks a return to the franchise for the two actors.

Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson are set to return to the world of Panem in the next installment of the Hunger Games franchise. Multiple reports confirm that the actors will reprise their iconic roles as Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark in the upcoming film, Sunrise on the Reaping.

As reported on December 10, 2025, by various outlets, Lawrence, 35, and Hutcherson, 33, will appear in a film adapted from Collins’ 2025 novel. Although details regarding their characters’ roles remain undisclosed, readers of the novel will recognize Katniss and Peeta, alongside Haymitch Abernathy—originally portrayed by Woody Harrelson—in an epilogue chapter.

This new adaptation chronicles events occurring 24 years prior to the original Hunger Games movie, following the character played by Joseph Zada, who finds himself competing in the 50th Hunger Games.

Representatives for Lionsgate, the film’s production company, have not commented on this announcement.

Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson in 2012’s The Hunger Games.

Murray Close/Lionsgate

In a recent interview with Variety, Hutcherson expressed enthusiasm about returning to the franchise. He revealed that he discovered the existence of the epilogue chapter only upon the release of Sunrise on the Reaping. “I would love to be back on set with Francis, with Jen, with Liam, with Woody,” he stated, noting that it wouldn’t take convincing to persuade him to return. “I’d be there in a heartbeat,” he added.

Hutcherson emphasized, “That would be a dream come true. Do dreams come true? Sometimes. Sometimes not. Sometimes, yeah.”

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping poster.

Lionsgate

Sunrise on the Reaping will be the sixth film in the Hunger Games franchise and the second prequel following the release of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes in 2023. The film features a star-studded cast that includes Whitney Peak, Mckenna Grace, Jesse Plemons, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Maya Hawke, Lili Taylor, Ben Wang, Edvin Ryding, Elle Fanning, Kieran Culkin, Glenn Close, Billy Porter, Iris Apatow, and Ralph Fiennes, who will portray the villainous President Snow.

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is slated to premiere in theaters on November 20, 2026.