‘The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping’ Brings Back Two Major Stars
Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson are coming back to the world of Panem, according to reports about the upcoming movie “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.”
The two actors are expected to appear again as Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark. Their roles are described as cameos, and the details are still being kept quiet. Fans of the book know the characters show up with Haymitch in the epilogue, which suggests the film may jump forward in time.
The new movie is based on Suzanne Collins’ latest novel and focuses on the 50th Hunger Games, long before Katniss and Peeta were chosen as tributes. This story looks back at Haymitch Abernathy when he was sixteen. Joseph Zada plays the young Haymitch, a role that was originally played by Woody Harrelson.
The film follows his brutal experience in the arena and the events that shaped him into the mentor audiences already know.
“Let the 50th Hunger Games begin.”
— The Hunger Games (@TheHungerGames) November 20, 2025
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping – in theaters & IMAX November 20, 2026. pic.twitter.com/QrViO2Ss1t
“Sunrise on the Reaping” is set to come out on November 20, 2026. The film is directed by Francis Lawrence, who has led the franchise since 2012’s “Catching Fire.” The script is written by Billy Ray, and Brad Simpson and Nina Jacobson return as producers. The series has already earned more than $3.3 billion at the box office, and Lionsgate appears ready to continue that momentum.
The cast includes several new actors playing younger versions of familiar characters. Elle Fanning steps in as Effie Trinket, a character first portrayed by Elizabeth Banks. Ralph Fiennes becomes President Coriolanus Snow, taking over from Donald Sutherland and Tom Blyth, who played Snow in earlier films.
Kieran Culkin appears as Caesar Flickerman, replacing Stanley Tucci’s earlier take on the role. Jesse Plemons plays Plutarch Heavensbee, originally portrayed by Philip Seymour Hoffman. The movie also features Kelvin Harrison Jr., Glenn Close, Maya Hawke, Mckenna Grace, Billy Porter, Whitney Peak, Ben Wang, Molly McCann, Iona Bell and Percy Daggs IV.
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