Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson will return to the world of "The Hunger Games," reports The Hollywood Reporter.
The two stars, known for their roles in the original “Hunger Games” films, will appear in the prequel “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.” Lawrence will reprise her role as Katniss Everdeen, and Hutcherson will reprise her role as Peeta Mellark, so their scenes are expected to be brief and set in the present, while the plot will focus on the past.
Francis Lawrence will direct the adaptation of Suzanne Collins' novel. It was previously announced that the prequel would star Ralph Fiennes as President Snow, as well as Calvin Harrison, Kieran Culkin, Ella Fanning, Joseph Zaida, Glenn Close, McKenna Grace, Maya Hawke, and Whitney Peak.
“Sunrise on the Reaping” follows the action that takes place in Panem, on the morning of the 50th anniversary of the Hunger Games, or 24 years before the events of the first film “The Hunger Games”, based on the 2008 novel of the same name.
The first five films in the franchise have grossed a combined $3,3 billion worldwide. The first four films starred Lawrence as Katniss, Hutcherson as Peeta, and Liam Hemsworth as Gale.
Lawrence and Hutcherson were at the center of the plot and the final film in the series, “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2” from 2015, and their characters ultimately experienced a happy ending, as a married couple with children.
“Sunrise on the Reaping” is a sequel to “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes” from 2023, which also depicts the plot in the past compared to the original films, and starred Rachel Zegler, Tom Blythe, and Hunter Shaffer.
Francis Lawrence will direct the new film from a script by Billy Ray, and Cameron McConaughey will serve as executive producer.
The premiere is scheduled for November 2026.
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