Jennifer Lawrence Confirms Her 'The Hunger Games' Return: "Crazy"
Sunrise on the Reaping hits theaters on November 20, 2026.
Right after refusing to confirm her The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping participation, Jennifer Lawrence decided to open up in a new interview and confirm she's back as Katniss Everdeen.
While in Call Her Daddy podcast, Lawrence revealed that being back on a The Hunger Games set was "unbelievable". "It was so crazy because it was the same crew — the same camera guys, the same assistant director I've worked with a million times too cause I love him", said the actress.
She also went on to confirm that Woody Harrelson and Josh Hutcherson were also present, reaffirming that the trio shot an epilogue together. "And Josh and Woody, it was so emotional. Josh and I didn't walk to the bathroom without our arms around each other. It was so beautiful".
jennifer lawrence FINALLY admits she's in sotr with josh and woody!! https://t.co/seWypkWSqC
— kimi 🥝 (@kimichkis) October 28, 2026
To those who haven't read the latest book written by Suzanne Collins, Katniss' return was already expected among fans due to the character's appearance in the epilogue. The last pages of the book focused on a young Haymitch Abernathy show him, Katniss and Peeta Mellark reunited during the events of the original trilogy, attempting to show how Sunrise on the Reaping's male protagonist is doing in life in the modern days.
Everything you need to know about The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping
Once again directed by Francis Lawrence, who helmed every feature film in the saga except the first, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping adapts the book of the same name released early in 2025. It was also announced that Billy Ray wrote the screenplay.
The film’s cast includes some major names. Joseph Zada will play the lead, Haymitch Abernathy, who was portrayed by Woody Harrelson in the films starring Jennifer Lawrence. Elle Fanning will play Effie Trinket, McKenna Grace is Maysilee Donner, Maya Hawke will play Wiress, and Ben Wang plays Wyatt Callow. Among the older characters are Ralph Fiennes as President Snow, Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman, Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee, Glenn Close as Drusilla Sickle, Scot Greenan as Burdock Everdeen, Grace Ackary as Astric March, Melody Chikakane Brown as Meeney, and Jefferson White as Mr. McCoy.
The the official synopsis of the book reads: "As the day dawns on the 50th annual Hunger Games, fear grips the districts of Panem. This year, in honor of the Quarter Quell, twice as many tributes will be taken from their homes. Back in District 12, Haymitch Abernathy is trying not to think too hard about his chances. All he cares about is making it through the day and being with the girl he loves. When Haymitch’s name is called, he can feel all his dreams break. He’s torn from his family and his love, shuttled to the Capitol with the three other District 12 tributes: a young friend who’s nearly a sister to him, a compulsive oddsmaker, and the most stuck-up girl in town. As the Games begin, Haymitch understands he’s been set up to fail. But there’s something in him that wants to fight ... and have that fight reverberate far beyond the deadly arena".
Sunrise on the Reaping hits theaters on November 20, 2026.
