Josh Hutcherson Reveals If He’d Return for The Hunger Games Sequel — Fans Finally Get an Answer
The Hunger Games may be mining the past, but Josh Hutcherson just looked to the future—revealing to Variety if he’d return as Peeta Mellark in a new sequel.
Quick trip back to Panem: Josh Hutcherson says he went from absolutely not to pretty much begging to suit up again as Peeta. And yes, he also dropped a tease about the next prequel that fans are going to overanalyze immediately.
From 'nope' to 'send me the call sheet'
In a new chat with Variety, Hutcherson was asked if he would ever return to The Hunger Games. When the original run wrapped in 2015, his answer was basically a hard pass.
'I was like, F--k that. I got thrust into a place of notoriety that I never dreamed of, never wanted. It took privacy from me.'
Time does its thing, though. Hutcherson says he now sees what the role gave him and, if the gang got back together, he would jump in without a moment of hesitation. He specifically shouted out wanting to be back on set with Francis, Jen, Liam, and Woody. If you need a quick refresher on who is who, here you go:
- Francis Lawrence - director of the original films (minus the first)
- Jennifer Lawrence - Katniss Everdeen
- Liam Hemsworth - Gale Hawthorne
- Woody Harrelson - Haymitch Abernathy
His vibe now: no convincing required; he would be there in a heartbeat.
So... is Peeta in the next movie?
The franchise is currently living in the past with prequel stories, and the next one up is 'Sunrise on the Reaping,' based on Suzanne Collins' latest novel. The book tracks a young Haymitch Abernathy during an early Games and then, curveball, ends with an epilogue set after the events of 'Mockingjay' that brings back several familiar faces — Peeta included. Translation: even though the movie is a prequel, there is a built-in door for present-day characters to appear.
When Variety asked Hutcherson point-blank if he is in 'Sunrise on the Reaping,' he played coy. He called the idea a dream come true and then teased, in that carefully vague actor way, that sometimes dreams do come true. Not a confirmation, not a denial — just enough to keep everyone guessing.
Bottom line: a few years ago he wanted nothing to do with Panem; now he sounds ready to volunteer as tribute the second someone calls. If Lionsgate finds a smart way to use that epilogue, do not be surprised if we see Peeta again sooner rather than later.