Jennifer Lawrence on reprising Katniss Everdeen role in ‘The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping’
Jennifer Lawrence opened up about the experience of reprising her iconic role as Katniss Everdeen in the upcoming film The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.
During a guest appearance on the Call Her Daddy podcast, the Oscar-winning actress reflected on what it was like to return to the franchise and reunite with her former co-stars and crew members more than a decade after the original film series concluded.
“It was unbelievable. It was so crazy. It was the same crew. It was the same AD (Assistant Director), who I’ve worked with a million times because I love him. And with Josh [Hutcherson] and Woody [Harrelson]… it was so emotional,” she said.
Josh portrayed Peeta Mellark in the original Hunger Games films, while Woody played Haymitch Abernathy, the former Hunger Games victor who served as a mentor to Katniss and Peeta.
The actress went on about their reunion: “Josh and I didn’t walk to the bathroom without our arms around each other. It was so beautiful. And 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.”
Set 24 years before the events of the original The Hunger Games, the upcoming film centers on 16-year-old Haymitch Abernathy, portrayed by Joseph Zada, who is chosen to participate in the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.
Unlike the previous editions, the 50th Hunger Games will feature twice the usual number of participants, with 48 tributes competing for survival.
In a recent interview with PEOPLE, Joseph shared that he drew inspiration from certain aspects of Woody’s portrayal of Haymitch Abernathy in the original Hunger Games films when preparing for his role.
“There’s a few things such as Haymitch’s morals, air of sarcasm, and the idea that he is intelligent and usually a step ahead,” he shared.
Joseph also emphasized the heightened stakes in the upcoming installment, as his character must navigate a more dangerous competition with significantly fewer allies to rely on.
Sunrise on the Reaping is adapted from Suzanne Collins’s 2025 novel of the same name. The film is directed by Francis Lawrence, who previously helmed several installments of the Hunger Games franchise.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is scheduled to arrive in theaters on November 20.