Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson are set to reprise their iconic roles as Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark in the new prequel, “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping,” slated for release on November 20, 2026.
A Return to the Arena
The film, a prequel that centers on Woody Harrelson’s Haymitch Abernathy, will bring back the former costars in the roles that made them household names. According to multiple outlets, Lawrence and Hutcherson will appear in a flash‑forward scene at the end of the movie, mirroring the epilogue of Suzanne Collins’ novel. In that scene, Katniss and Peeta sit with Haymitch following their revolution in the Capitol, which occurred in “Mockingjay,” and learn about his tragic backstory.
Haymitch’s Epilogue Dialogue
Haymitch, voiced by Harrelson in a teaser trailer, speaks in the epilogue: “I didn’t want to have anything to do with their memorial book after the war,” he insists. “What use? What point? To relive all the loss.”
Later, the two former tributes embrace their former mentor and offer him a flock of geese, because his late love, Lenora Dove Baird, cared for the animal. Haymitch comments, “Like the geese,” he remarks, “we really did mate for life.”
Reflections on the Reaping
In another moment, Haymitch admits, “She’s not an easy person; she’s like me, Peeta always says. But she was smarter than me, or luckier,” and adds that when it came to the reaping, “She’s the one who kept that sun from rising.”
Harrelson’s voice was heard in a recently released teaser trailer, where he says, “I think these games are gonna be different.”
Cast and Production Details
The film will star Joseph Zada as a young Haymitch, alongside Glenn Close, McKenna Grace, Elle Fanning, Ralph Fiennes, Jesse Plemons, Kieran Culkin, Billy Porter, and Whitney Peak. The production team has confirmed the release date as November 20, 2026.
Related Franchise News
“The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes” also features a notable cast, including Rachel Zegler, Tom Blyth, Josh Andrés Rivera, and Hunter Schafer. Director Francis Lawrence and producer Nina Jacobson have answered audience questions about the franchise, covering topics such as the sole survivor and special talents for sponsors.
Key Takeaways
- Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson return as Katniss and Peeta in the prequel.
- The film centers on Woody Harrelson’s Haymitch and includes a flash‑forward epilogue.
- Release is scheduled for November 20, 2026, with a star‑studded supporting cast.
The return of the beloved duo signals a new chapter for the franchise, blending familiar characters with fresh storytelling elements set to launch in late 2026.
