The Hunger Games movies are moving in a new direction, making it more difficult for Jennifer Lawrence to reprise her role as Katniss Everdeen. Adapted from Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games novels, The Hunger Games movies have become one of the most successful franchises, making an estimated $3.3 billion at the box office. The Hunger Games movies were not only a huge success, but they played a huge role in helping Jennifer Lawrence become a household name.
Although Katniss’ story ended a decade ago, the franchise seen a resurgence. The franchise has expanded with the addition of two new Hunger Games books: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, and Sunrise on the Reaping, which is yet to be released. While there has been an expansion to The Hunger Games series, Lawrence is not likely going to be part of it, unless there is a reason for Katniss to return to the films.
Hunger Games Shifting To Prequels Makes Jennifer Lawrence’s Return More Difficult
The New Hunger Games Books Are Prequels
After The Hunger Games ended, Suzanne Collins shifted to writing sequels. The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, which detailed president Coriolanus Snow's rise to power, was released in 2020, with a movie adaptation following three years later. Another prequel, Sunrise on the Reaping, which will focus on Haymitch Abernathy's Hunger Games, is set to be released on March 18, 2025. Lionsgate announced the release date of Sunrise on the Reaping, the very day they confirmed they would be adapting the latest installment in the franchise into a movie.
Since the latest installments in The Hunger Games franchise have been prequels, Jennifer Lawrence's return has become more difficult. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes happened 64 years before Katniss' games, so there was no place for her in the story. Similarly, Sunrise on the Reaping will occur during a time when Katniss wasn't even born, so again, there will be no need to include her in the new installment. The only way Jennifer Lawrence can return to The Hunger Games franchise is if a new book that doesn't delve into Panem’s history is written.
Katniss Everdeen’s Hunger Games Ending Also Makes A Sequel Complicated To Pull Off
Katniss Everdeen’s Story Is Complete
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 concluded with Katniss and Peeta getting married and having two children. Katniss was the main protagonist in the first four Hunger Games movies, and her story as the Girl on Fire seems to be complete. Following the events of the Hunger Games and Katniss's role in helping liberate Panem, it's unlikely that she would want to return to the chaos of the dystopian country. She chose to live quietly with her husband and children, which, given everything she went through, is a satisfying resolution to her story.
Given how The Hunger Games ended, it wouldn't be easy to bring Katniss back. There would have to be a good reason for Katniss's return to the franchise, especially because there doesn't seem to be a clear role for her in the books or the movies. There are simply no loose ends when it comes to Katniss's story, and the fact that the new Hunger Games books are prequels shows that Suzanne Collins might think so too.
Are There Any Katniss Everdeen Stories Left To Be Told In Hunger Games?
Katniss Could Have A New Story If Suzanne Collins Writes A New Book With Her As The Main Protagonist
During an interview with Variety, Jennifer Lawrence expressed how she felt about returning as Katniss in The Hunger Games franchise (via Variety). When the Academy Award-winning actor was asked if she would reprise her role, she said, “Oh my God – totally. If Katniss ever could ever come back into my life, 100 percent.” Although Lawrence would reprise her role as Katniss, it doesn't seem like there are any more stories that need to be told with that character. The whole essence of Katniss's story was for her to assist in ending President Snow’s tyranny, which she did, thus rendering her story complete.
The Hunger Games’ producer Nina Jacobson and the franchise’s director, Frank Lawrence, also believe that Katniss' story had a fitting ending (via Variety). However, Jacobson and Lawrence would be willing to make another movie involving Katniss if a new book was written. While Katniss's story in The Hunger Games seems to be complete, there is still room for her to be in the franchise. She could maybe play a new role in rebuilding Panem after the civil war or maybe choose another cause she is passionate about to focus on.
Sources: Variety, Variety
