This article contains a minor spoiler for the Sunrise on the Reaping novel.
Last week, the very first teaser for The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping debuted, becoming one of the most viewed trailers for Lionsgate. GIven that the prequel tells the story of fan-favorite Hunger Games character Haymitch Abernathy, the teaser’s success is hardly surprising. The first three Hunger Games films, based on Suzanne Collins’ trilogy of the same name, were a cultural phenomenon.
Their cast included Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson as leads Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark, as well as Liam Hemsworth, Elizabeth Banks, the late great Donald Sutherland, and Woody Harrelson as the aforementioned Haymitch. In Sunrise on the Reaping, Joseph Zada takes over as Haymitch, with McKenna Grace, Whitney Peak, Elle Fanning, Glenn Close, Billy Porter, Ralph Fiennes, and Jesse Plemons in supporting roles.
In a new interview with Variety, Hutcherson was asked point-blank if he will appear in Sunrise on the Reaping. Skirting the question, the actor said, “That would be a dream come true.” Then, he added, “Do dreams come true? Sometimes. Sometimes not. Sometimes, yeah.”
Though Sunrise on the Reaping takes place decades before The Hunger Games, Collins still managed to sneak in a surprise for fans of Peeta and Katniss. The epilogue of the novel does include a flash forward to Haymitch’s life after the original trilogy, allowing for a brief appearance of the couple. As a result, fans speculated that Hutcherson and Lawrence may cameo in the film adaptation.
“I would love to be back on set with Francis, with Jen, with Liam, with Woody,” Hutcherson stated. Interestingly, despite his positivity towards The Hunger Games now, the actor went through a phase after the films exploded in popularity where he did not want the extra attention. He explained:
I was like, “F*ck that.” I got thrust into a place of notoriety that I never dreamed of, never wanted. It took privacy from me.
Now, a decade after The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2, Hutcherson feels more positively about the films, their fanbase, and the idea of doing more. “It would not take any convincing at all,” he said. “I’d be there in a heartbeat.”
Lenny Kravitz, Woody Harrelson, and Josh Hutcherson as Cinna, Haymitch, and Peeta in The Hunger Games
Previously, Hutcherson addressed a possible return to Panem after the Sunrise on the Reaping novel was released, saying he “would happily play Peeta again.” The FIve Nights at Freddy’s star continued: “I think Peeta’s an incredible person to get to bring to life. I’m curious to know what happens between when they have their family and when the story ends, just to understand what happened in the world, how they got to that place.”
While these comments more directly reference the possibility of a sequel, they, in conjunction with his more recent excitement over the franchise, bode well for Hutcherson rejoining The Hunger Games for another film. As such, the likelihood that he may pop up in the Sunrise on the Reaping epilogue just got a lot higher. The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping releases in theaters on November 20, 2026.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping
Release Date
November 20, 2026
Director
Francis Lawrence
Writers
Billy Ray, Suzanne Collins
Producers
Brad Simpson, Nina Jacobson
Joseph Zada
Haymitch Abernathy
Mckenna Grace
Maysilee Donner
Whitney Peak
Lenore Dove Baird
