Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson to return

Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson will reportedly return to The Hunger Games in next year’s highly anticipated prequel.

The duo most recently starred together in the thrilling installment of the original film series, Mockingjay – Part 2.

US magazines Hollywood Reporter And Deadline reported that Jennifer, 35, will return as Katniss Everdeen, while Josh, 33, will reprise his role as Peeta Mellark in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Harvest.

They suggest that the actors will appear in a later scene set in the novel on which the new film is based.

BBC Newsbeat has approached production company Lionsgate for comment.

Lawrence, who became a household name playing Katniss, previously said she would be “totally” ready to return as the character.

Last month Josh Hutcherson told US magazine Variety that he would “be there in a heartbeat” if asked to return.

“It doesn’t need any convincing,” he said.

Hunger Games fans were very excited about the news that the beloved characters would be getting a new look.

One wrote: “For fans who didn’t like The Hunger Games, this is like Rihanna coming back to music.”

Another added: “Basically Jesus returning to Earth.”

However, there were also those who were not happy with the disclosure of the information and said that it could remain an “emotional” surprise.

The Hunger Games: Harvest Sunrise also stars McKenna Grace, Maya Hawke, and Ralph Fiennes and will be released in theaters in November 2026.

Author Suzanne Collins’ book of the same name sold more than 1.5 million copies worldwide during its week of release earlier this year; it was the biggest debut sales for one of his books.

The Hunger Games series has reportedly earned $3.3 billion since its first film was released in 2012, and a theatrical version was recently released.

Listen to Newsbeat live weekdays at 12:45 and 17:45 – or listen again Here.