🔗 Share this article

News has broken that fan-favorite stars Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson are returning to their iconic characters in the next chapter of the Hunger Games film series, titled The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. The film is currently in production.

A Significant Comeback for the Franchise

The actors are slated to play Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark, respectively. It is believed their cameos will take the form of a brief glimpse ahead, given that the main film series concluded with their characters married and with children.

This signifies the sixth installment in the blockbuster Hunger Games franchise.

The Source Material

Sunrise on the Reaping is adapted from a 2025 novel by series creator Suzanne Collins. It serves as the second film set before the original story after 2023's The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. Returning to the director's chair is Francis Lawrence, who was behind most of the previous films in the series.

The Storyline and Fresh Faces

The film's events are set 24 years before the first Hunger Games, centering on a young Haymitch Abernathy. Haymitch, later known as Katniss's mentor, is shown as a tribute in the notorious 50th Hunger Games.

The film welcomes several notable actors in important characters:

• Jesse Plemons steps into the role of Plutarch Heavensbee.
• Ralph Fiennes takes on the part of a younger version of the menacing President Snow.

What the Stars Are Doing Now & The Film's Schedule

Separately, Jennifer Lawrence has been nominated for a Golden Globe for the film Die My Love. Josh Hutcherson recently appeared in the hit horror film Five Nights at Freddy's 2.

Regarding the production schedule:

1. Principal photography started in the summer of 2025.
2. Filming was completed in November of the same year.
3. The much-discussed film is targeting a November 2026 release.

Fans of the franchise can now anticipate the reunion of these central characters to the big screen.