Katniss and Peeta back: Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson return in The Hunger Games: Harvest Dawn By Maria
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Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson are in advanced negotiations to reprise the roles of Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark in the new film in the Jogos Vorazes franchise. The film, titled Amanhecer na Colheita, will be released on November 20, 2026 in theaters. The production adapts the book of the same name released by Suzanne Collins in 2025 and takes place during the 50th Jogos Vorazes.
Lionsgate confirmed the participation of the original duo in older versions of the characters. Francis Lawrence directs the project again, while Billy Ray signs the script.
- The film is a youth-focused prequel to Haymitch Abernathy
- The story takes place 24 years before the events of the first Jogos Vorazes
- The plot addresses the second Massacre Quaternário, with twice as many tributes
Cast brings together well-known names and newcomers
Joseph Zada plays the young Haymitch Abernathy, a role that belonged to Woody Harrelson in the original saga. Elle Fanning plays Effie Trinket, while McKenna Grace plays Maysilee Donner.
Maya Hawke appears as Wiress and Ben Wang lives as Wyatt Callow. The film also features familiar faces in older versions of iconic characters.
Ralph Fiennes returns as the Presidente Snow. Kieran Culkin plays Caesar Flickerman and Jesse Plemons lives Plutarch Heavensbee.
Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson are officially set to return as Katniss and Peeta in ‘THE HUNGER GAMES: SUNRISE ON THE REAPING’pic.twitter.com/tlfSg1252i
—Film Updates (@FilmUpdates)December 11, 2025
Classic characters gain mature versions
Glenn Close reappears as Drusilla Sickle. Scot Greenan plays Burdock Everdeen, father of Katniss, and Grace Ackary lives Astric March.
Melody Chikakane Brown and Jefferson White complete the cast with the roles of Meeney and Sr. McCoy, respectively. The presence of actors from the original saga reinforces the connection with the previous films.
Management maintains franchise identity
Francis Lawrence directs the film for the fourth consecutive time in the series. The director had already worked on Em Chamas, A Esperança – Parte 1 and A Esperança – O Final.
The choice maintains the visual and narrative continuity established since 2013. Billy Ray, screenwriter of Capitão Phillips, adapts the text of Suzanne Collins for the screen.
Synopsis details context of the 50th Jogos
The plot follows Haymitch Abernathy during the 50th Jogos Vorazes, known as the second Massacre Quaternário. Nesta edition, each district sends four tributes instead of two.
Haymitch comes from Distrito 12 along with a close friend, an arrogant girl, and another young man. Arrancado from family and love, he must fight to survive in a deadly arena.
The story explores the origins of the winner who years later would mentor Katniss and Peeta. The book shows how Haymitch develops strategies that echo in future editions of Jogos.
The duo’s return raises fans’ expectations
The confirmed participation of Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson represents the project’s biggest commercial attraction so far. The actors do not appear as protagonists, but their scenes must connect directly with the original saga.
Lionsgate is betting on the duo’s presence to attract the audience that followed the four films released between 2012 and 2015. The franchise has already grossed almost 3 billion dollars worldwide.
Launch is scheduled for November 2026
Dawn on Colheita hits theaters on November 20, 2026. The date places the film at the beginning of the season of major North American releases.
Production began to take shape shortly after the book was announced in 2025. The project marks the sixth feature film in the Jogos Vorazes franchise.
