Jennifer Lawrence Calls Return as Katniss Everdeen 'Unbelievable' After 11 Years

Jennifer Lawrence has opened up for the first time about stepping back into the role of Katniss Everdeen after 11 years. The Oscar winner discussed the experience on the latest episode of the "Call Her Daddy" podcast, ahead of the release of the prequel film "Sunrise on the Reaping," which Lionsgate is set to put in theaters Nov. 20.

"It was unbelievable," Lawrence said of the return. "It was so crazy. It was the same crew. It was the same AD, who I've worked with a million times because I love him." She described the reunion with co-stars Josh Hutcherson and Woody Harrelson as deeply emotional, saying she and Hutcherson barely went anywhere without their arms around each other.

Lawrence also joked about Harrelson's behavior during the shoot, saying he "came through the window of my hotel room uninvited." She added that it "wouldn't be the same if he listened to boundaries or used a door."

Variety reported last December that Lawrence and Hutcherson would return as Katniss and Peeta Mellark for a scene in the film. Lawrence has now let slip that Harrelson will also appear again as Haymitch. The new movie centers on a young Haymitch, played by Joseph Zada, as he takes part in the 50th Hunger Games.

Readers of Suzanne Collins' novel "Sunrise on the Reaping" know it closes with a flash-forward epilogue featuring Katniss, Peeta and Haymitch. The film adaptation appears to be following that structure.

Lawrence had signaled interest in a comeback before. During her 2023 press tour for "No Hard Feelings," she told Variety she was "totally" open to playing Katniss again if the right opportunity came along. "If Katniss ever could ever come back into my life, 100 percent," she said at the time.

She starred in four Hunger Games films between 2012 and 2015. The franchise, which also includes the 2023 prequel "The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes" led by Rachel Zegler, has earned $3.3 billion at the worldwide box office to date.

On the podcast, Lawrence also reflected on her hesitation about joining the series at age 20. She said her worry was how it could hurt her acting career and personal life. "The one thing I was always sure of when I was younger was that I wanted to be a mom, and this looked so different than doing some indies," she said, noting that "Twilight" had just come out and everyone had seen its effect. She wondered how the franchise would change her life and her career.