The odds are definitely in our favor—Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson are heading back to Panem.
Variety reports that the Hunger Games stars are officially reprising their iconic roles as Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark in Lionsgate’s upcoming prequel, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.
The film is based on Suzanne Collins’ brand-new novel of the same name, set 24 years before Katniss ever volunteered as tribute. But fans can still expect a nostalgic twist: adult Katniss and Peeta will appear in a powerful flash-forward scene, listening to Haymitch Abernathy (formerly played by Woody Harrelson) recount the brutal story of his own games.
Sunrise on the Reaping opens on the day of the 50th Hunger Games—the infamous Second Quarter Quell—where 48 tributes are forced to fight for survival. The prequel centers on a teenage Haymitch (played by Joseph Zada), a clever and defiant kid from District 12 who must outthink and outfight the Capitol’s deadliest tricks.
While Lionsgate hasn’t officially commented, the buzz around Lawrence and Hutcherson’s return has set the internet ablaze. Both stars have been on major career highs—Hutcherson with Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 smashing box office records ($64 million opening weekend), and Lawrence snagging her seventh Golden Globe nomination for her haunting performance in Die My Love.
When asked earlier this year about returning to the franchise, Hutcherson coyly said, “That’d be cool. No, I know nothing in that world right now. Hunger Games is amazing—I’ve loved it for many years and will love it forever.” Now it seems that dream comeback is becoming reality.
The first trailer for Sunrise on the Reaping already broke records, racking up a staggering 109 million views in just 24 hours—making it Lionsgate’s second biggest trailer launch ever, right behind Michael.
With Francis Lawrence returning to direct and Oscar-nominated screenwriter Billy Ray adapting the story, expectations are sky-high. Between the $3.4 billion box office legacy and the novels’ 100 million-plus copies sold worldwide, Hunger Games fever is officially back—and hotter than ever.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping hits theaters November 20, 2026.
