Maya Hawke sparked fan expectations for 'The Hunger Games' by hinting at a possible return for Jennifer Lawrence to the franchise. During her interview on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Hawke, who plays the role of Wiress in the prequel film 'The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes', emphasized the huge influence Lawrence had on her acting career. 'Jennifer Lawrence's performance in the first four movies is a big part of why I want to become an actress,' Hawke said. When Fallon directly asked if Lawrence was indeed returning to the franchise, Hawke answered cautiously: 'Can we say that? Do people know that?'. The host's reaction was comical: 'Now they know!', which sealed an informal confirmation that quickly went viral and reignited public enthusiasm. 'The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes' is based on the 2025 novel of the same name by Suzanne Collins and focuses on Haymitch Abernathy during the 10th Hunger Games, 24 years before the events of the original story. According to the book, Katniss and Peeta appear in the epilogue, fueling speculation about the return of Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson, who have already been mentioned by various media as part of the project. 'The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes' is scheduled for theatrical release on November 20, 2026, and following Hawke's statements, Katniss Everdeen's return seems increasingly likely.
