Lawrence Returns as Katniss in Prequel Opening Nov. 20

Jennifer Lawrence ended months of speculation about the upcoming Hunger Games movie by confirming her return as Katniss Everdeen. The announcement settles questions about the cast for In Sunrise on the Reaping, which opens in theaters next month.

Lawrence shared the news during an interview with Alex Cooper, host of the Call Her Daddy podcast. She described the production as "unbelievable" and noted the familiarity of the set. "It was the same crew. It was the same camera guys, the same AD, who I've worked with a million times," she said. The continuity of the production team helped recreate the atmosphere of the original films.

The actress also confirmed that Josh Hutcherson and Woody Harrelson are back in their previous roles. Their participation had been rumored for some time before her official statement. Lawrence called the reunion "so emotional" and said she and Hutcherson rarely went anywhere without their arms around each other. "It was so beautiful," she added. Harrelson maintained his own tradition of making an unusual entrance. According to Lawrence, he came through the window of her hotel room uninvited. "It wouldn't be the same if he listened to boundaries and used a door," she joked.

Lawrence also revisited a memorable incident from the 2013 filming of Mockingjay. She gave herself a pixie cut as a protest after producers initially refused to provide a wig for the role. She had grown tired of dyeing her hair brown for the character. She described the result as "the worst haircut anyone has ever seen in their life" and noted that the style became famous.

In Sunrise on the Reaping is a prequel set 24 years before the events of the first movie. It follows 16-year-old Haymitch Abernathy as he competes in the 50th Hunger Games. This event is known as the Second Quarter Quell, in which twice as many tributes are forced to fight to the death. Joseph Zada plays the young Haymitch, and Ralph Fiennes appears as President Snow. Legacy characters from the original films are expected to appear in flashforwards or a framing device.

The film opens on Nov. 20.