Jennifer Lawrence confirms Katniss return in ‘Hunger Games’

Jennifer Lawrence has confirmed for the first time that she plays Katniss Everdeen again in "The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping." She spoke about the role on the latest episode of the "Call Her Daddy" podcast, according to Variety. Her comments end nearly a year of reports and speculation about the original cast's involvement, a little over three weeks before Lionsgate ↘ 3.11% opens the prequel in theaters on Nov. 20.variety.com

An 'emotional' reunion

Host Alex Cooper said that both Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson, who played Peeta Mellark, were returning and asked what it was like. Lawrence answered directly, TheWrap reported, though she had been coy about it on Josh Horowitz's "Happy Sad Confused" podcast in January. "It was unbelievable," Lawrence said. "It was so crazy. It was the same crew. It was the same AD, who I've worked with a million times because I love him". Working with Hutcherson and Woody Harrelson again was "so emotional," she said, adding, "Josh and I didn't walk to the bathroom without our arms around each other. It was so beautiful".thewrap.com+2

She also joked about Harrelson: "Woody, obviously, came through the window of my hotel room uninvited. It wouldn't be the same if he listened to boundaries or used a door". Variety said the remark let slip that Harrelson is also back as Haymitch Abernathy.variety.com+1

Reports date to December

Variety and Entertainment Weekly reported in December 2025 that Lawrence and Hutcherson would return. At the time, it was not disclosed whether they would play their original characters, according to TheWrap. Suzanne Collins' novel ends with a present-day epilogue in which Haymitch tells Katniss and Peeta about his past, TheWrap noted, and Variety said the film appears to follow the book on that point.variety.com+2

The prequel

The film is set 24 years before the original story. It follows a young Haymitch, played by Joseph Zada, through the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell. The cast also includes Ralph Fiennes as President Snow, along with Elle Fanning, Jesse Plemons, Kieran Culkin, Glenn Close and McKenna Grace, The Independent reported.independent.co.uk+1

Lawrence led four "Hunger Games" films between 2012 and 2015. With the 2023 prequel "The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes" included, the franchise has grossed $3.3 billion worldwide, according to Variety. On the podcast, she also recalled why she hesitated to take the part at 20. "What made me nervous was how it could negatively affect my acting career and my personal life," she said.variety.com