In news that has electrified fans of the dystopian franchise, Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson are officially confirmed to return as Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark in the upcoming prequel, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. The reunion marks the first time the beloved stars have appeared in the franchise since 2015’s Mockingjay Part 2, securing a massive emotional anchor for the next installment.
Sunrise on the Reaping is set 24 years before the original Hunger Games saga and centers on a young Haymitch Abernathy (played by Joseph Zada) as he competes in the deadly 50th Hunger Games (the Second Quarter Quell). Given the prequel timeline, Lawrence and Hutcherson are widely expected to appear in a flash-forward or epilogue scene, possibly expanding on the post-war future of their characters and their children.
Francis Lawrence, who directed all but the first film in the original series, returns to helm the project. The cast also features major names taking on younger roles, including Ralph Fiennes as President Snow and Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee. The inclusion of Katniss and Peeta Return signals the filmmakers’ intent to connect the dark history of the Second Quarter Quell directly to the heroes who ultimately ended the games.
Lionsgate has confirmed the film will hit theaters on November 20, 2026. This announcement provides a massive payoff for fans, transforming a prequel focused on Haymitch’s tragedy into an essential bridge that completes the emotional arc of the franchise’s original stars.
