Jennifer Lawrence chats Hunger Games on the Call Her Daddy Podcast
Jennifer Lawrence is officially returning to Panem! Although Katniss Everdeen appears in the epilogue of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping novel, it remained unclear whether the Oscar-winning actress would reprise her iconic role in the film adaptation.
During the October 28 episode of Alex Cooper’s Call Her Daddy podcast, Lawrence has confirmed her return and opened up about reuniting with former co-stars Josh Hutcherson and Woody Harrelson. She also shared hilarious and surprising behind-the-scenes stories from the original Hunger Games films.
While Deadline has previously reported Lawrence and Hutcherson’s return in December 2025, the Call Her Daddy interview is Lawrence’s direct acknowledgment of their involvement.
What Is ‘The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping’ and Why Is Katniss’s Return Significant?
Based on Suzanne Collins’ 2025 novel, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping takes audiences back 24 years before Katniss Everdeen volunteered as tribute. The story follows a 16-year-old Haymitch Abernathy (Joseph Zada) as he competes in the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell, where the Capitol doubles the number of tributes from 24 to 48.
Until now, readers have only seen a glimpse of Haymitch’s Games. In Catching Fire, Katniss and Peeta watch archival footage of his games. The film adaptation omits this scene. Whether in the books or films, Haymitch has never opened up about the events of the Games or the tragedy that preceded them. Sunrise on the Reaping finally tells his full story.
While Katniss and Peeta aren’t part of the novel’s main storyline, they do play a meaningful role in its epilogue. The novel’s final moments take place after the events of Mockingjay. Their appearances would serve as more than a nostalgic reunion. They would reinforce one of the novel’s central themes: survival is not the same as healing, and even after unimaginable loss, finding love and family again is possible.
Jennifer Lawrence Reunites With Josh Hutcherson and Woody Harrelson On The Set Of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping
During the Podcast, Lawrence describes returning to the franchise after 11 years as emotional, especially with so many familiar faces involved in the production.
“It was unbelievable,” Lawrence told Cooper. According to the actress, several original crew members returned, including camera operators and an assistant director she had worked with on numerous projects.
The reunion with Hutcherson, who portrayed Peeta Mellark, was particularly meaningful. “Josh and I didn’t walk to the bathroom without our arms around each other,” Lawrence shared. “It was so beautiful.”
“Josh and I didn’t walk to the bathroom without our arms around each other,” Lawrence shared. “It was so beautiful.”
And apparently, Woody Harrelson hasn’t changed much since his days playing Haymitch Abernathy. Lawrence joked that Harrelson entered her hotel room through a window without an invitation, adding that it wouldn’t be the same if he respected boundaries and used a door.
Jennifer Lawrence Broke a Window on Her First Day of ‘The Hunger Games’
While discussing her original experience playing Katniss on Call Her Daddy, Lawrence shared a particularly chaotic memory from her first day on set. The cast was filming scenes involving the District 12 reaping and Katniss’s family home in North Carolina. During one scene, Lawrence was working near a washbasin inside a historic house when she spotted a fly.
“I saw a fly, and I punched it through a window and shattered the window,” Lawrence recalled. The unexpected incident left the crew questioning what had happened.
When Cooper asked why she punched the fly, Lawrence offered a simple explanation. “I was just like, something moved me.”
Despite the incident, Lawrence said she felt confident during filming because she had spent months preparing for the role, including extensive stunt training, archery, and other physical preparation.
The Original ‘Hunger Games’ Had Some Surprisingly Dangerous Stunts
Lawrence also revealed that one of the original film’s most memorable action sequences involved more practical effects than audiences might realize. Recalling a scene where Katniss runs down a mountainside while fireballs explode around her, Lawrence explained that the explosions were real.
“Everything really was exploding and catching on fire,” she recalled. The actress explained that she had to follow a specific route to avoid the explosions, but the path wasn’t clearly marked because visible tape would have appeared on camera. She joked that taking the wrong route could have meant getting blown up.
Her Original Katniss Audition Involved Candy and a Crying Director
Lawrence also looked back on the audition that changed her career. She recalled stopping to purchase candy before arriving at director Gary Ross’s home, where the audition took place in an office above his garage.
Ross became emotional during her performance. “He cried in my audition,” Lawrence recalled. “So, I was like, that seems like a good sign.”
When Cooper asked if she had ever watched the tape, Lawrence immediately rejected the idea, explaining that she didn’t even want to remember what she had worn. The actress also admitted that accepting the role was intimidating, particularly after watching the enormous cultural impact of Twilight. She wasn’t worried about fans of the books; she worried about how starring in such a massive franchise might change her career and personal life.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping arrives exclusively in theaters on November 20, 2026.
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