Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson are set to reprise their iconic roles in the upcoming prequel film, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, which is scheduled for release on November 20, 2026. Both actors, recognized for their performances in Lionsgate’s original Hunger Games series, will be returning to the screens as Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark, respectively. Reports suggest their appearances will likely be in flash-forwards, although specific details about their roles remain undisclosed.
The new film is directed by Francis Lawrence, who previously helmed several installments of the franchise. It is based on Suzanne Collins’ best-selling novel and follows the story set in Panem, occurring on the morning of the reaping for the 50th Hunger Games—24 years prior to the events detailed in the first book, which debuted in 2008. The series has already seen a remarkable box office success, with the first five films grossing over $3.3 billion worldwide.
Joining Lawrence and Hutcherson in the cast are notable actors such as Ralph Fiennes portraying President Snow, Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee, and Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket, to name a few. The core cast also includes Kelvin Harrison Jr., Kieran Culkin, Joseph Zada, Glenn Close, Mckenna Grace, Maya Hawke, and Whitney Peak, promising an ensemble rich in talent.
The last appearance of Lawrence and Hutcherson in the franchise was in 2015’s The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2, which concluded with their characters married with children. Lawrence has recently been nominated for a Golden Globe Award for her performance in Die My Love, and Hutcherson is currently featured in Five Nights at Freddy’s 2.
The screenplay for Sunrise on the Reaping is adapted by Billy Ray and will be produced by Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson under the banner of Color Force, with Cameron MacConomy serving as the executive producer. This new installment follows 2023’s The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, which introduced audiences to a younger generation of characters. As excitement builds for the new film, Lionsgate has yet to provide further comments on the project, but the anticipation is palpable among fans of the franchise.
