Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson are returning to the world of Panem to reprise their roles as Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark from the original Hunger Games films for the prequel, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, multiple outlets reported.
Lionsgate will release the new film, which is adapted from author Suzanne Collins's dystopian novel of the same name, in theaters on Nov. 20, 2026.
Sunrise on the Reaping is set 24 years before Katniss and Peeta stepped onto the deadly field as reluctant tributes representing District 12. Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson), who was the sole surviving victor of previous Hunger Games from District 12, served as a mentor for Katniss and Peeta.
The story of Sunrise focuses on 16-year-old Haymitch, portrayed by Joseph Zada, as he fights to survive his own Hunger Games — all while refusing to bend the knee to the ruthless Capitol, which selects twice the number of tributes. Haymitch and 47 other children are sent into the deadly arena.
While no specifics have been released about Lawrence and Hutcherson’s roles in the upcoming movie, Collins’s Sunrise on the Reaping novel has a flash-forward scene with a grown Katniss and Peeta, where Haymitch recounts his experience in the Hunger Games to them.
Hutcherson told Variety in November, “I would love to be back on set with [director] Francis [Lawrence], with Jen, with Liam, with Woody [Harrelson],” the star said. “It would not take any convincing at all. I’d be there in a heartbeat.”
Sunrise on the Reaping is the sixth movie in the Hunger Games franchise and comes after the 2023 adaptation of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, which starred Tom Blyth as a young President Snow and Rachel Zegler as Lucy Gray Baird, a singer forced to compete in the Hunger Games.
Lionsgate dropped a star-studded teaser for the new movie back in November, including Whitney Peak as Lenore Dove Baird, Mckenna Grace as Maysilee Donner, Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee, Ralph Fiennes as President Snow, Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket and Glenn Close as Drusilla Sickle.
LATEST POSTS
- 1
Mobility exercises are an important part of fitness as we age. Here are some tips - 2
Top 10 Books That Will Have an impact on Your Viewpoint - 3
NASA astronauts take new moonsuit for a swim | Space photo of the day for Nov. 28, 2025 - 4
Ukraine Now Using Drone Boats To Attack Russian Riverine Targets - 5
NATO needs Ukraine's 'adaptation DNA' and an 'HOV lane' for new war tech, top commander says
Dental, Vision, and Hearing Inclusion in Senior Protection.
Europe’s Airlines Run Low on Fuel
As tetanus vaccination rates decline, doctors worry about rising case numbers
Scientists solve the mystery of 'impossible' merger of 'forbidden' black holes
Step by step instructions to Choose the Right Auto Crash Legal counselor for Your Case
Home Plan Tips for Seniors
SpaceX rocket launches 140 satellites into orbit on Transporter-15, aces landing at sea (video)
Reconnecting with an old friend is a story of distance, loss and rediscovery
2024's Savvy Home Gadgets for an Associated Way of life













