A reunion with the old crew
Appearing on the Call Her Daddy podcast, Jennifer Lawrence discussed for the first time what it was like to step back into the role of Katniss Everdeen after an 11-year gap. She described the shoot as extraordinary and chaotic in the best way, noting that the production employed the same crew and the same assistant director she has collaborated with repeatedly over the years.[S1]
Lawrence said the atmosphere on set with Josh Hutcherson and Woody Harrelson became intensely emotional. She recalled that she and Hutcherson were so close during filming that they walked to the restroom with their arms around each other, and she joked that Harrelson showed up through her hotel room window without an invitation, adding that he would not be himself if he respected boundaries or bothered with doors.[S1]
Who is back on screen
Variety reported in December that Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson would appear as Katniss and Peeta Mellark in a scene for Sunrise on the Reaping. In her podcast appearance, Lawrence also revealed that Woody Harrelson will return as Haymitch. The prequel follows a young Haymitch, portrayed by Joseph Zada, as he takes part in the 50th Hunger Games.[S1]
Readers of Suzanne Collins' novel Sunrise on the Reaping know that the book closes with a flash-forward epilogue in which Katniss, Peeta and Haymitch appear, suggesting the film adaptation is taking the same approach. Outlets including KTLO, Deadline, MovieWeb, The A.V. Club and The Independent have all reported on Lawrence's return to the role.[S1][S2][S3][S4][S5][S6]
From early doubts to a $3.3 billion franchise
Lawrence headlined four Hunger Games films between 2012 and 2015, and the franchise, which also includes the 2023 prequel The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes led by Rachel Zegler, has taken $3.3 billion at the global box office to date. Sunrise on the Reaping arrives in theaters Nov. 20 from Lionsgate.[S1]
On the podcast, Lawrence also looked back at her worries when she joined the series at age 20. She said her main fear was how the franchise might damage her acting career and her private life, explaining that she had always been certain she wanted to become a mother and that the scale of the project looked very different from working on independent films. She noted that Twilight had just been released and everyone had seen its impact, so her concern centered on how such a change would reshape her life and her profession.[S1]
