Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark are making their way back into The Hunger Games universe.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson, who play the franchise-leading roles respectively, will appear in the upcoming prequel of the dystopian film series, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.

Hutcherson teased his return to the franchise in November

Lionsgate is keeping the details of Lawrence and Hutcherson’s return to the franchise under wraps. In the book the upcoming film is based on, Suzanne Collins’ novel of the same name, released in March, Everdeen and Mellark appear with Haymitch Abernathy in the epilogue via flash forward, Variety reported.

Lawrence and Hutcherson haven’t said much about their return. But the I Love LA star teased a potential return to The Hunger Games universe in November, telling Variety he “would love to be back on set with Francis, with Jen, with Liam, with Woody,” adding, “It would not take any convincing at all. I’d be there in a heartbeat.”

Hutcherson and Lawrence will appear in the film alongside a star-studded cast, including Elle Fanning as a younger Effie Trinket, who Elizabeth Banks played in earlier installments of The Hunger Games. Ralph Fiennes portrays President Coriolanus Snow, who Donald Sutherland and Tom Blyth played in earlier films. Succession alum Kieran Culkin plays TV host Caesar Flickerman, originally portrayed by Stanley Tucci and Jesse Plemons rounds out the cast as Plutarch Heavensbee, first played by Philip Seymour Hoffman.

Kelvin Harrison Jr., Glenn Close, Maya Hawke, Mckenna Grace, Billy Porter, Whitney Peak, Ben Wang, Molly McCann, Iona Bell and Percy Daggs IV also appear in the upcoming prequel.

Some are enthusiastic about the actors’ return, while others wish it had remained a secret until release

Fans quickly turned to social media to share their excitement for Lawrence and Hutcherson’s return to The Hunger Games franchise.

we got the drama trailer released today and now confirmation that jennifer lawrence and josh hutcherson will be returning in sunrise of the reaping! what a day to love cinema! pic.twitter.com/vVap4WIugN
— a (@barcharbrina) December 11, 2025

jennifer and josh returning for the sunrise on the reaping epilogue i just need a second pic.twitter.com/ZaHmt92Mcs
— day (@balladofsongs) December 11, 2025

“sunrise on the reaping epilogue isn’t real, it can’t hurt you”

sunrise on the reaping epilogue: pic.twitter.com/iU0VI1YI04
— kayla (@biondcd) December 11, 2025

But a few users wished Lionsgate had kept Lawrence and Hutcherson’s return a surprise for fans.

Aww I wish they hadn't announced this, imagine how emotional it would have been as a surprise reveal at the end of the movie
— Venom (@AnkitSi70755453) December 11, 2025

I feel like a child throwing a tantrum kicking the ground because I didn’t want confirmation that Jennifer and Josh would be back for Sunrise on the Reaping, I knew the would be back but I didn’t want them to tell us until we saw them on screen!! https://t.co/VcYLMRzOR7
— Ashley 🩷💜💙 (@AshWonderland) December 11, 2025

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping hits theaters on Nov. 20.

Jennifer Lawrence

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