Jennifer Lawrence confirms "emotional" return for new Hunger Games movie

Jennifer Lawrence has confirmed her return for the new Hunger Games movie, admitting it was "emotional" to come back to the franchise. The star famously led the original films as Katniss Everdeen, with the series set to return with prequel Sunrise on the Reaping next month.

Lawrence has been heavily rumoured to be making a comeback in the movie, and has now revealed that she will appear alongside fellow originals Josh Hutcherson (Peeta Mellark) and Woody Harrelson (Haymitch Abernathy) – the latter's younger incarnation (Joseph Zada) being the focus of the film.

Asked what it was like to go back on podcast Call Her Daddy, the Oscar-winner responded: "Oh my! Unbelievable. It was so crazy, because it was the same crew. It was the same camera guys, the same AD who I've worked with a million times too, because I love him.

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"Josh and Woody. It was emotional. Josh and I didn't walk to the bathroom without our arms around each other. It was so beautiful," she added, before quipping: "And Woody obviously came through the window of my hotel room, uninvited, because it wouldn't be the same if he listened to boundaries and used a door."

Lawrence teased her return earlier this year too, notably regarding a "catch up" with original director Francis Lawrence, who is helming Sunrise on the Reaping.

"Oh yeah, it is out on the Internet, isn't it?" she said on Happy Sad Confused, and when host Josh Horowitz asked if he should see the new film, Lawrence responded with an emphatic "yes".

Sunrise on the Reaping sees Haymitch recall his involvement in the 50th Hunger Games, telling the tale to Katniss and Peeta.

Alongside Zada, the film features Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket, Ralph Fiennes as President Coriolanus Snow, Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee, Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman, and Glenn Close as Drusilla Sickle.

It has been confirmed that the prequel will be the longest Hunger Games movie yet, running at an epic 158 minutes.

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is released in cinemas on 20 November.

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Sam is a freelance reporter and sub-editor who has a particular interest in movies, TV and music. After completing a journalism Masters at City University, London, Sam joined Digital Spy as a reporter, and has also freelanced for publications such as NME and Screen International.  Sam, who also has a degree in Film, can wax lyrical about everything from Lord of the Rings to Love Is Blind, and is equally in his element crossing every 't' and dotting every 'i' as a sub-editor.