Jennifer Lawrence Confirms Katniss Return in 'Sunrise on the Reaping'
The girl on fire is back. Jennifer Lawrence has confirmed she is returning as Katniss Everdeen in "The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping," the latest prequel in the blockbuster franchise.
Lawrence made the big announcement during Wednesday's episode of Alex Cooper's "Call Her Daddy" podcast, ending months of rumors that she and co-star Josh Hutcherson would make an appearance in the new film.
"So Emotional" to Step Back Into Katniss' Shoes
Lawrence described returning to the role that first made her a household name as "unbelievable" and "so emotional," according to ABC News.
Part of what made it special, she said, was seeing so many familiar faces behind the camera. "It was so crazy because it was the same crew," Lawrence said, noting that camera operators and an assistant director she had worked with many times before were back on set.
The reunion with her former co-stars was just as meaningful. Lawrence said she and Hutcherson, who played Peeta Mellark, "didn't walk to the bathroom without our arms around each other," calling the experience "so beautiful."
She also shared a funny moment involving Woody Harrelson, who played the grown-up Haymitch Abernathy in the original films. Lawrence joked that Harrelson "came through the window of my hotel room uninvited." Harrelson is also returning to the franchise, and SlashFilm noted that he appears to provide the voice-over in the film's trailer.
How Katniss Fits Into a Prequel
"Sunrise on the Reaping" is set decades before Katniss' story, so many fans have wondered how she could appear. The answer may lie in the book's epilogue.
Suzanne Collins' novel ends years after the events of the original trilogy, following the fall of the Capitol. In that scene, an older Haymitch works with Katniss and Peeta, the only other surviving District 12 victors, on a memorial book, SlashFilm reported. Many fans expect that moment to appear on screen.
Reports that Lawrence and Hutcherson would return first surfaced last December, when Variety reported their characters would appear alongside Haymitch, which "indicates some sort of flash-forward," according to Dawn. Until now, though, neither actor had confirmed it. Lawrence did not say how much screen time Katniss will have.
What the New Film Is About
The film is set about 25 years before the original series. It follows a teenage Haymitch, played by Joseph Zada, as he is forced to compete in the 50th Hunger Games, known as the Second Quarter Quell. That year's twist doubles the number of tributes sent into the arena. Fans will also meet younger versions of familiar characters, including Caesar Flickerman and Effie Trinket.
The film features a star-studded cast, including Whitney Peak as Lenore Dove, Ralph Fiennes as President Snow, Mckenna Grace, Jesse Plemons, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Maya Hawke, Elle Fanning, Glenn Close, Billy Porter and Kieran Culkin.
A Franchise That Keeps Growing
Lawrence first played Katniss in 2012's "The Hunger Games," and went on to star in all four films in the original series. The movies turned her into one of Hollywood's biggest stars and made the franchise a box office powerhouse.
Collins' novel "Sunrise on the Reaping" was published in March 2025 and quickly became a bestseller, giving longtime fans a closer look at one of the series' most beloved characters. The movie is the second prequel, following 2023's "The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes," which told the origin story of a young Coriolanus Snow.
Fans won't have to wait long to see Katniss back on the big screen. "The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping" arrives in theaters on Nov. 20, less than a month away.
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