Jennifer Lawrence confirms Katniss return in new Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping #hungergames

In January 2026, Jennifer Lawrence has finally confirmed she will reprise her legendary role as Katniss Everdeen in the upcoming prequel, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. The news was semi-leaked by Maya Hawke on The Tonight Show before Lawrence herself teased the return during a podcast appearance, acknowledging that the rumors "out on the internet" were indeed true. The Role: Since the film is set 24 years before the original trilogy, Lawrence (and Josh Hutcherson as Peeta) will appear in a flash-forward epilogue, directly adapting the final chapter of Suzanne Collins' 2025 novel. The Plot: The main story focuses on a 16-year-old Haymitch Abernathy (played by Joseph Zada) during the brutal 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell. The Release: Directed by Francis Lawrence, the film is officially scheduled to hit theaters on November 20, 2026. Fans are calling this the most anticipated return in franchise history, as it will be the first time seeing the "Girl on Fire" on the big screen in over a decade. #JenniferLawrence #KatnissEverdeen #HungerGames #SunriseOnTheReaping #SOTR #Panem #2026