Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson make a comeback in The Hunger Games spinoff

Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson will reprise their roles as Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark in the upcoming film The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.

Deadline confirms that the new spinoff will bring the two original protagonists back to the popular dystopian universe.

The movie takes place 24 years before the events of the first Hunger Games movie, but in one scene, the adult versions of Katniss and Peeta appear.

Their mentor, Haymitch Abernathy, recounts his own victory in the 50th edition of the Hunger Games.

The role of Haymitch was played in the previous films by Woody Harrelson, who has yet to be confirmed for this production.

Prequel focuses on Haymitch as a teenager

The protagonist of Sunrise on the Reaping is the young Haymitch, played by Australian Joseph Zada.

Based on Suzanne Collins’ book universe, the film expands on the story of the brutal game in which children and adolescents fight for survival in the arena.

The new story is expected to provide a deeper insight into the Capitol and its control over the districts.

The cast also includes names such as Kieran Culkin, Elle Fanning, Ralph Fiennes and Jesse Plemmons.

Francis Lawrence, who also directed four of the previous films in the series, is behind the camera again.

The script is written by Billy Ray, who also wrote the script for the first film in 2012.

Premiere in 2026

The film opens in cinemas on November 19, 2026, and with the reunion of both Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson, great interest is expected from both fans of the books and audiences who have followed the original films.

Expectations are high for how the new story will expand the universe while connecting with the original characters.

No further details about the film’s plot or trailer have yet been released.

It’s also not known if Woody Harrelson himself will appear in the role of the elderly Haymitch, or if the character will only appear via flashbacks and stories.