Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson Return in Hunger Games Prequel

Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson are reuniting to portray Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark in a new Hunger Games prequel. The project will feature a flash-forward scene that hints at the couple's life after the events of the original trilogy.

What to expect

The film serves as a prequel, telling the story of the 50th Hunger Games, set 24 years before the events of the first movie. The central focus is a young Haymitch Abernathy, played by Joseph Zadey. This marks Lawrence's return to the franchise after the 2015 finale, Mockingjay – Part 2.

Director Francis Lawrence returns to helm the project, with a screenplay by Billy Ray based on Suzanne Collins's 2020 novel. Alongside Zadey, the cast includes Ralph Fiennes, Jesse Plemons, Elle Fanning, Kieran Culkin, Maya Hawke, and McKenna Grace.

The global premiere is planned for November 20, 2026, with Russian theaters opening on November 19. The earlier prequel The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes released in 2023 drew mixed reviews, holding around 64% on Rotten Tomatoes from 243 critics.

Expert comment

Expert comment: Industry observers note that bringing back Lawrence and Hutcherson signals strong continuation appeal for fans. A younger focus on Haymitch could expand the universe while keeping core fans engaged.

Summary

Summary: Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson return to the Hunger Games world in a new prequel that explores events 24 years before the original films. Francis Lawrence directs the project, with Billy Ray writing, and a cast that includes Ralph Fiennes, Elle Fanning, Maya Hawke, and more. Based on Suzanne Collins's 2020 novel, the film is set to hit theaters worldwide in late 2026, with a separate release in Russia.

Key insight: Reuniting iconic stars in a fresh prequel demonstrates the franchise's ability to grow while honoring its roots.