Jennifer Lawrence Confirms Final Return as Katniss Everdeen

Lionsgate will release the Hunger Games prequel Sunrise on the Reaping in theaters on Nov. 20. The film marks the first time in eleven years that Jennifer Lawrence has portrayed Katniss Everdeen.

Lawrence discussed the production during a recent appearance on the Call Her Daddy podcast. She described the experience of rejoining the franchise as unbelievable. The actor noted that the crew remained largely intact from the original films. She specifically mentioned the assistant director, a collaborator she has worked with multiple times.

The reunion with co-stars Josh Hutcherson and Woody Harrelson was the most emotional part of the shoot. Lawrence said she and Hutcherson rarely went anywhere without their arms around each other. Harrelson also returns to the cast, a detail Lawrence revealed for the first time during the interview. He will reprise his role as Haymitch Everdeen.

Variety reported in December 2025 that Lawrence and Hutcherson would appear as Katniss and Peeta Mellark. The new film focuses on a young Haymitch, played by Joseph Zada, during the 50th Hunger Games. The story follows the structure of Suzanne Collins’ novel, which ends with a flash-forward epilogue featuring the original three characters.

Lawrence had previously expressed interest in returning to the role. During a 2023 press tour, she told Variety she was totally open to the opportunity. She said if Katniss ever came back into her life, she would say yes 100 percent.

The actor originally starred in four Hunger Games films between 2012 and 2015. The franchise includes the 2023 prequel The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, led by Rachel Zegler. The series has generated 3.3 billion dollars at the worldwide box office to date.

Lawrence reflected on her initial hesitation to join the project at age 20. She worried about the impact on her acting career and personal life. She stated she always wanted to be a mother and felt the franchise was different from independent films. She noted that the release of Twilight had shown how a major series could change an actor’s life.