Summary

Josh Hutcherson is open to returning to The Hunger Games franchise for the upcoming prequel film.
The prequel, The Hunger Games: Sunshine on the Reaping, may see the return of original stars like Jennifer Lawrence and Woody Harrelson.
Despite lower box office numbers, Lionsgate is moving forward with more Hunger Games prequel stories, with Sunrise on the Reaping set for release in 2026.

One might think Josh Hutcherson has his hands full with the Five Nights at Freddy's film franchise, but that apparently isn't the case. The Hunger Games star is game for more antics in Panem, which should delight fans of the YA series.

It can be easy to forget just how big a deal the original Hunger Games films were in the 2010s. For example, when The Hunger Games: Catching Fire was released in 2013, it ended up raking in over $865 million at the worldwide box office. In contrast, when The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes came out in 2023, it brought in $348 million. Now, that is nothing to scoff at per se, but it is a far cry from the moneymaking heights of the original films. Prequel films are always a harder sell than you might imagine. Just ask Warner Bros. How the Fantastic Beasts series is doing. That isn't stopping Lionsgate from moving forward with more Hunger Games prequel stories, however, as The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is set for release in 2026.

Hunger Games President Snow feature image

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By Matthew Wilkinson

Brit + Co recently caught up with Josh Hutcherson at the Pasadena Humane Society during a humanitarian campaign event. Unsurprisingly, the upcoming Hunger Games prequel came up in conversation, and Hutcherson was asked if he would return for the film. "Yeah, no, that'd be cool," Hutcherson said. "No, I know nothing in that world right now." Could Hutcherson return for Sunshine on the Reaping? Of course. But don't expect him to spoil that surprise this early in the game if it is going to happen.

Josh Hutcherson Is Open To Returning To The Hunger Games As Peeta Mellark

Why Wouldn't He Be Willing To Keep That Door Open?

While Sunshine on the Reaping is a prequel, there is a chance that Hutcherson, Jennifer Lawrence, and Woody Harrelson could all return and reprise their roles from the original films. The prequel novel features an epilogue where Harrelson's Haymitch Abernathy opens up to Lawrence's Katniss Everdeen and Hutcherson's Peeta Mellark about the events of the 50th Hunger Games he competed in. Filming such a scene would be a pricy endeavor for the production team and almost impossible to keep secret, but it would delight the fanbase at large.

"[The] Hunger Games is amazing, and I've loved it for many years and I will love it forever." - Josh Hutcherson

After finding himself in a bit of a post -Hunger Games rut following 2015's The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 2, Hutcherson has been having a bit of a career resurgence of late. The Five Nights at Freddy's franchise has been huge for him, he had a delightful villainous turn in the 2024 Jason Statham vehicle The Beekeeper, and he booked a main role on Rachel Sennott's upcoming HBO series. Sunrise on the Reaping would be a feather in his cap, although it's not like that film is lacking in star power. The 2026 prequel features Ralph Fiennes, Glenn Close, Elle Fanning, Kieran Culkin, Billy Porter, Jesse Plemons, Maya Hawke, and Mckenna Grace in its extensive cast list. Not too shabby.

The Hunger Games: Sunshine on the Reaping is set to release in 2026.

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