Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson Returning for New Hunger Games Prequel

by

It’s been ten years since Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson appeared in a Hunger Games movie. However, Deadline reports they are both set to return to the world of Panem for The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, a new prequel taking place 24 years before the events of Katniss Everdeen’s story. Francis Lawrence, who has directed all Hunger Games films since Catching Fire (2013), will direct this new installment as well.

Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson, who starred in the original ‘Hunger Games’ films, are officially returning for Lionsgate’s new prequel, ‘Sunrise On The Reaping’.

This new movie takes place in the world of Panem, 24 years before the story of ‘The Hunger Games’ begins, and it…

— Deadline (@DEADLINE) December 11, 2025

The newest book in Suzanne Collins’s Hunger Games series includes a final section where Haymitch Abernathy tells Katniss and Peeta about his own experience competing in the Games. It’s currently unknown if Woody Harrelson will reprise his role as Haymitch in any future films, or how much Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson will appear.

A Brief History of The Hunger Games

Joseph Zada will portray a young Haymitch Abernathy as he competes in the Hunger Games arena. Viewers know Haymitch later guides Katniss and Peeta, but he rarely spoke about his own time in the Games. Fans are eagerly speculating about how Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson might appear – perhaps in brief scenes at the beginning and end, a short epilogue, or even throughout the movie in a way similar to the storytelling style of The Princess Bride. This is a topic of much discussion among enthusiasts until the film comes out.

Published in 2008, The Hunger Games helped kickstart the popularity of young adult (YA) fiction, a trend that began with Twilight. Suzanne Collins, a former television writer, created stories that translated well to film. So far, five Hunger Games movies have been made, with the first four featuring Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson. These films have collectively earned over $3.3 billion worldwide.

A Star-Making Turn for Lawrence and Hutcherson

Before becoming famous for The Hunger Games, Jennifer Lawrence had already earned critical praise and an Oscar nomination for her role in Winter’s Bone. She also appeared as Mystique in X-Men: First Class the year before taking on the role of Katniss Everdeen. However, The Hunger Games truly launched her into superstardom. With her recent seventh Golden Globe nomination, her return to this iconic franchise feels especially significant.

Josh Hutcherson started his career appearing in adaptations of popular books, including 2007’s Bridge to Terabithia and Journey to the Center of the Earth. He was also in the 2009 film Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant, another book adaptation that didn’t perform well in theaters. After finding fame with The Hunger Games, Hutcherson took on smaller roles, but his recent leading role in the Five Nights at Freddy’s movies has brought him back into the public eye.

Returning to Panem

The upcoming movie, Sunrise on the Reaping, boasts a stellar cast alongside some returning characters. Elle Fanning will be playing a younger version of Effie Trinket, a role previously held by Elizabeth Banks. Ralph Fiennes will portray Coriolanus Snow, a character previously played by Donald Sutherland and Tom Blyth in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Glenn Close, Maya Hawke, and McKenna Grace are also set to appear in major roles.

Rachel Zegler’s character, Lucy Gray Baird, won’t be appearing in the new movie, as she would be approximately 80 years old by the time it takes place.

Published in March, the novel is currently ranked #14 on Amazon’s bestseller list. With stars Lawrence and Hutcherson set to reprise their roles, Sunrise on the Reaping is expected to be very popular and gain significant traction before its release on November 20, 2026.

Read More

2025-12-14 18:57