Josh Hutcherson, best known for his portrayal of Peeta Mellark in The Hunger Games franchise, has expressed his enthusiasm for reprising the role—if author Suzanne Collins decides to continue the beloved series.
Hutcherson Calls for a New Hunger Games Book
While attending Dream It Con in Paris, Hutcherson shared his thoughts on returning to Panem, revealing that he would “happily” play Peeta again.
“I would happily play Peeta again. The story is incredible. The Hunger Games was incredible,” Hutcherson said. “I think Peeta’s an incredible person to get to bring to life. I’m curious to know what happens between when they have their family and when the story ends, just to understand what happened in the world, how they got to that place. But I’m down. If you can talk to Suzanne Collins and tell her to write a book, I’m in. Sign me up.”
The Future of The Hunger Games
Hutcherson’s comments come at a time of renewed excitement for the Hunger Games universe. Suzanne Collins recently expanded the franchise with a new prequel novel, Sunrise on the Reaping, following the success of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (2020). A film adaptation of Sunrise on the Reaping is already in the works, with a scheduled release for fall 2026.
With Lionsgate investing in more content from the Hunger Games world—including The Hunger Games: On Stage, set to debut in London this October—fans may still have hope for a sequel exploring Peeta and Katniss’s future.
Hutcherson’s Hunger Games Legacy
Hutcherson starred as Peeta Mellark in all four Hunger Games films:
- The Hunger Games (2012)
- The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)
- The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 (2014)
- The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 (2015)
The series, based on Collins’ best-selling novels, became a cultural phenomenon, grossing nearly $3 billion worldwide and cementing its stars—Hutcherson, Jennifer Lawrence (Katniss Everdeen), and Liam Hemsworth (Gale Hawthorne)—as household names.
What’s Next for Josh Hutcherson?
While awaiting any potential Hunger Games news, Hutcherson is keeping busy. He is set to return as Mike Schmidt in Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, premiering December 5, where he reunites with director Emma Tammi and co-star Matthew Lillard.
For now, Hunger Games fans will have to wait and see if Suzanne Collins takes Hutcherson’s plea to heart and delivers another installment of Panem’s gripping saga.