The Hunger Games Revival: Why Jennifer Lawrence Is ‘Totally’ Willing to Play Katniss Again

Jennifer Lawrence’s potential return as Katniss Everdeen in future Hunger Games movies has been a topic of much speculation, particularly as the franchise experiences a resurgence with new installments. The actress’s remarks in recent interviews have fueled the conversation, leaving fans wondering whether we might see the iconic character again. Here’s a closer look at what Lawrence has said about returning to the role, the context behind her comments, and the possibilities for her future involvement in the franchise.

The Key Statement

The most significant and recent statement from Jennifer Lawrence regarding her return as Katniss came during a 2023 interview with Variety. In June of that year, while promoting her film No Hard Feelings, Lawrence expressed enthusiasm about the idea of reprising the role that catapulted her to international stardom. “Oh, my God – totally! If Katniss ever could ever come back into my life, 100 percent,” she said during a Zoom video interview. Her comment was lighthearted and genuine, with her producing partner reportedly clutching her heart upon hearing the response, which underscored her excitement at the thought of returning to the character.

This remark comes amid the Hunger Games franchise’s revival, notably with the release of the prequel The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes in November 2023. While Katniss is not part of the story in the prequel, which focuses on the early life of President Snow, the film’s release has rekindled interest in the series. Lawrence’s comment reflects nostalgia for a role that she played in four films from 2012 to 2015: The Hunger Games (2012), Catching Fire (2013), and Mockingjay – Part 1 and Part 2 (2014-2015).

Earlier Comments and Absence of Pre-2023 Statements

Before 2023, Lawrence had not expressed interest in returning as Katniss, making her 2023 statement significant. After the original Hunger Games series concluded, Lawrence’s focus seemed to shift to other projects, and there was no indication of her considering a return to the franchise. For instance, an article from ABC News in November 2015, which focused on Lawrence’s reflections on her portrayal of Katniss, did not mention any potential future involvement in the Hunger Games films. This absence of comment suggested that, prior to 2023, Lawrence was not interested in revisiting the role. However, as the franchise gained new life, particularly with the success of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, her perspective on the matter appears to have changed.

Post-2023 Developments and Lack of New Statements

Since her 2023 comment, there have been no new statements from Lawrence regarding her return to the Hunger Games series. Articles from 2024, such as one from ScreenRant dated October 11, 2024, have referenced her 2023 remarks but did not include any updated comments. Additionally, a February 2025 article from FandomWire acknowledged her enthusiasm in 2023 but noted the unlikelihood of her appearance in the upcoming Sunrise on the Reaping, which is set to release after 2025 and takes place before Katniss’ time. This suggests that, despite her initial excitement, there has been little public discussion of her return in recent years.

Producer and Director Perspectives

While Lawrence has expressed openness to returning as Katniss, the creative team behind the Hunger Games franchise seems less inclined to revisit her story. Multiple sources, including Variety and NME articles from November 2023, indicate that producers like Nina Jacobson and director Francis Lawrence believe that Katniss’ story has reached its conclusion. They suggest that any potential return would depend on the creation of a new novel by Suzanne Collins featuring Katniss, something that has not yet materialized. As of now, the franchise is focused on prequels such as The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and the upcoming Sunrise on the Reaping, both set long before Katniss’ time.

Potential Scenarios for Return

There have been some speculative discussions about how Jennifer Lawrence might return to the Hunger Games universe without disrupting Katniss’ established story. One idea, mentioned in a ScreenRant article from November 2023, involves Lawrence making limited appearances, such as narrating or making a cameo, to honor the character’s legacy without compromising her original arc. These discussions are speculative, however, and not based on direct statements from Lawrence herself.

While it remains uncertain whether Lawrence will ever reprise her iconic role, her 2023 comments show that she is not entirely closed to the idea. However, as the franchise moves forward with prequels and the creative team seems focused on new stories, it seems unlikely that a full return of Katniss will happen unless a new development is sparked by Collins’ writing.

Conclusion

Jennifer Lawrence’s 2023 remarks about returning to the Hunger Games franchise reflect a genuine affection for the role of Katniss Everdeen, a character that became synonymous with her early career. However, despite her enthusiasm, the creative team behind the series appears focused on new narratives, making the prospect of Lawrence’s return uncertain. Fans of the franchise will have to wait and see whether future developments, both within the films and in the novels, will provide an opportunity for the iconic character to return to the big screen.