Josh Hutcherson is all in for another round in Panem, the 32-year-old actor, best known for playing Peeta Mellark in the original “Hunger Games” series, says he would “happily” return to the franchise if the opportunity came up.
During a panel at Dream It Con in Paris, Hutcherson made it clear he’s still passionate about the role and the world Suzanne Collins built.
“I would happily play Peeta again,” he said. “The story is incredible. ‘The Hunger Games’ was incredible.”
He even pitched a potential direction for a future story. While Collins’ books wrapped up with Katniss and Peeta building a family, Hutcherson is curious about the time between the final scene and that future glimpse. “I’m curious to know what happens between when they have their family and when the story ends,” he said. “Just to understand what happened in the world, how they got to that place.”
And he’s got one simple request: someone call Suzanne Collins. “If you can talk to Suzanne Collins and tell her to write a book, I’m in. Sign me up.”
Collins recently published a fifth novel in the series, “Sunrise on the Reaping,” a prequel that explores the events of the Second Quarter Quell. The movie adaptation is already underway, with a release date set for November 20, 2026.
Lionsgate is banking on Collins’ new story to reignite the franchise. Adam Fogelson, Lionsgate chair, praised her as the “creative north star” and said the upcoming story will dive deep into a pivotal, often-whispered era of Hunger Games lore.
Josh Hutcherson isn’t the only one ready for a return to “Hunger Games”. Jena Malone, who played Johanna Mason, has also expressed interest in revisiting her character — but this time, she’s pitching a sequel, not a prequel.
The Hunger Games universe clearly still has fuel in the tank. Now it’s just a matter of whether Suzanne Collins wants to drive.
