Entertainment
Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson Are Officially Back… ‘Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping’ Confirms Return in 2026 Blockbuster
For fans of The Hunger Games, the unthinkable has happened — and it’s now officially confirmed. Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson are returning to the franchise that defined a generation.
Lionsgate’s new prequel film, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, will hit theaters on November 20, 2026, and yes — the iconic duo behind Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark will appear once again. While their roles are expected to be brief and likely shown in a flash-forward, the news has already set the internet on fire, reigniting nostalgia for one of the most successful young-adult franchises in cinematic history.
The film will be directed by longtime franchise filmmaker Francis Lawrence, adapting the upcoming novel by Suzanne Collins.
A Return No One Expected — But Everyone Wanted
The original Hunger Games films, led by Lawrence and Hutcherson, grossed more than $3.3 billion worldwide, becoming a cultural phenomenon and turning the pair into global superstars. Their last appearance came in 2015, in Mockingjay – Part 2, ending with the characters living peacefully with their children after years of rebellion and trauma.
Their return, even in cameo form, feels symbolic — a bridge between the franchise’s past and future.
Jennifer Lawrence, fresh off her Golden Globe nomination for Die My Love, has remained one of Hollywood’s most respected actresses. Hutcherson, meanwhile, is riding high after the success of Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, proving he’s still a fan favorite.
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The decision to bring them back signals Lionsgate’s intention to connect the old and new eras of Panem in a deeply emotional way.
A Star-Packed Prequel With New Faces in Old Roles
Alongside the returning icons, Sunrise on the Reaping boasts one of the most intriguing casts in recent franchise history. Confirmed stars include:
- Ralph Fiennes as a young President Snow
- Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee
- Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Beetee Latier
- Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman
- Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket
And rounding out the ensemble are Joseph Zada, Glenn Close, Mckenna Grace, Maya Hawke, and Whitney Peak.
It’s a blend of celebrated veterans, rising stars, and franchise newcomers — exactly the kind of lineup fans expect from one of Hollywood’s most enduring dystopian worlds.
What Is the New Story About?
Based on Collins’ forthcoming novel, Sunrise on the Reaping is set 24 years before the 2008 book, unfolding on the morning of the 50th Hunger Games — also known as the Second Quarter Quell, a brutal event that reshaped Panem’s political landscape long before Katniss volunteered in District 12.
This era introduces new tributes, new power struggles, and the early shadows that eventually led to the rebellion Katniss would one day ignite.
Director Francis Lawrence, who has helmed the franchise since Catching Fire, is expected to deliver the sweeping world-building fans love while grounding the narrative with deeper political and emotional layers.
Why Lawrence and Hutcherson’s Return Matters
Even though their roles may be small, their presence is huge.
Katniss and Peeta are more than characters — they are symbols of hope, rebellion, and survival. Their relationship became one of the most beloved arcs in YA film history, and bringing them back serves several purposes:

Emotional closure for longtime fans- A connective thread linking the prequel to the original saga
- A marketing powerhouse, boosting global interest
- A reminder of the franchise’s legacy
It is rare for a prequel to honor its predecessors with such intentionality, and Lionsgate seems to know exactly what audiences want.
The Hunger Games Legacy Isn’t Just Returning… It’s Evolving
More than a decade after the first film premiered in 2012, The Hunger Games continues to influence pop culture, fashion, activism, and dystopian storytelling.
By reuniting Lawrence and Hutcherson — even briefly — the new film acknowledges the franchise’s roots while boldly expanding its universe.
With a compelling cast, a beloved director, and the promise of new political intrigue in Panem, Sunrise on the Reaping is shaping up to be one of 2026’s most anticipated films.
And as fans already know:
Once you enter the arena, nothing is ever the same again.
Entertainment
Olivia Rodrigo Leaves Her Idol ‘Mind Blown’ With Stunning A Cappella Christmas Cover
Teaming up with Jacob Collier, Olivia Rodrigo delivers a pitch-perfect ‘I’ll Be Home for Christmas’ that earns praise from Sheryl Crow
Olivia Rodrigo just delivered an early holiday gift that instantly melted the internet — and left one of her biggest idols completely stunned.
On Monday, December 8, acclaimed musician Jacob Collier shared a video featuring himself and the Gen Z pop superstar performing an a cappella cover of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” The stripped-down rendition, rich with layered harmonies and emotional warmth, quickly became a fan favorite — and even earned a jaw-dropping reaction from Sheryl Crow.
“Ok MIND BLOWN,” Crow wrote in the comments, summing up what thousands of listeners were thinking.

A Simple Start, A Breathtaking Finish
The video begins casually, with Olivia Rodrigo flashing a heart with her hands and asking, “Hi, Jacob! How’s this?” What follows is anything but casual.
Rodrigo launches into a soft, crystal-clear vocal take on the classic holiday song — originally made famous by Bing Crosby in the 1940s. One by one, Jacob Collier layers in intricate backing harmonies, creating a rich, almost orchestral soundscape without a single instrument.
“I’ll be home for Christmas / You can plan on me,” the pair sing in perfect sync. “Please have snow and mistletoe / And presents under the tree.”
Sharing the clip, Collier wrote, “I’ll Be Home For Christmas with my dear friend @oliviarodrigo 🎄,” keeping the caption as understated as the performance was powerful.
A Classic Song, A Modern Revival
Though “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” dates back more than 80 years, the song has enjoyed a resurgence in recent years, even peaking at No. 50 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2021. Rodrigo and Collier’s version feels both timeless and modern — respectful of the original while infused with their distinct musical identities.
Fans praised Rodrigo’s control and emotional restraint, while Collier’s signature harmonic genius elevated the performance into something almost sacred.
Sheryl Crow’s Full-Circle Moment
The most notable reaction came from Sheryl Crow, a longtime inspiration for Rodrigo. The admiration between the two artists has been mutual and well-documented.
The pair first crossed paths at Billboard’s Women in Music Awards in 2022, where Crow presented Rodrigo with Woman of the Year. During her acceptance speech, Rodrigo gushed,
“Sheryl, I am such a massive fan of you and your songwriting… It really means the world.”

In 2023, Rodrigo returned the favor by helping induct Crow into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Reflecting on that moment, Rodrigo told Billboard,
“It was an honor to join Sheryl on stage. She’s equally as kind as she is talented.”
Crow, for her part, has been equally generous with praise. Speaking on The Tonight Show, she called Rodrigo “the real deal,” adding,
“She’s a great songwriter. She seems kinda unaffected by all of it.”
A Holiday Moment Fans Won’t Forget
For Rodrigo, who first rose to fame on High School Musical: The Musical: The Series before becoming one of pop’s most defining voices, the performance marks another reminder of her versatility — not just as a hitmaker, but as a vocalist deeply rooted in melody and storytelling.
For fans, the collaboration is more than just a Christmas cover. It’s a meeting of generations, talent, and influence — and a reminder that sometimes, the most powerful performances need nothing more than voices and heart.
Entertainment
Justin Bieber Revisits the Bowling Alley From His ‘Baby’ Era 15 Years Later — A Full-Circle Moment Fans Didn’t Expect
The pop star returns to the iconic filming location of his breakout hit ‘Baby,’ reliving memories from the start of his global superstardom
Justin Bieber recently took fans on a nostalgic journey back to where it all began. On Thursday, December 11, the global pop icon shared an Instagram Reel revealing that he revisited the bowling alley where he filmed the music video for his career-defining hit “Baby” — a full 15 years after the song changed his life forever.
“Went to where I shot my music video for baby. This is what happened,” Bieber captioned the post, instantly sending longtime fans into an emotional spiral. The Reel shows Bieber casually walking through the bowling alley, singing Baby a cappella while friends beatbox beside him — recreating the magic that once introduced him to the world as a teenage sensation.
A Casual Look, A Powerful Memory
Now 31, Bieber appeared relaxed and reflective in the video, wearing an oversized gray T-shirt, baggy embellished shorts, a silver chain, and a beanie. The vibe was far from the polished pop-star image of his early years — instead, it felt intimate, spontaneous, and deeply personal.

Friends and collaborators including Eddie Benjamin, Oranj Goodman, Gabriel Jacoby, and Kyle Massey accompanied him. In one moment that delighted fans, a friend even stepped in to perform Ludacris’ famous verse: “When I was 13, I had my first love…”
‘Baby’: The Song That Changed Everything
Released in 2010, “Baby” was the lead single from Justin Bieber’s debut studio album My World 2.0. The track quickly became a global phenomenon, peaking at No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard 200 and turning Bieber into one of the most recognizable faces in pop culture.
The music video was filmed at Universal CityWalk and Lucky Strike Lanes in Los Angeles, locations that became instantly iconic for an entire generation of fans who grew up watching Bieber’s rise.
Inspired by Michael Jackson
Back in 2010, Ludacris compared the Baby video to a modern-day version of Michael Jackson’s “The Way You Make Me Feel” during an interview with MTV News — a comparison that underscored how massive Bieber’s breakout moment truly was.
At the time, Bieber explained that the song and video centered around teenage heartbreak and persistence.
“It starts off, I really like this girl, but we didn’t get along,” Bieber said then. “I want her back, and I’m chasing her around. She’s playing hard to get, but I’m persistent.”
Ludacris Knew It Was a Hit
Ludacris, now 48, recalled having to creatively frame his verse to fit a teen love story.
“I knew it was a hit as soon as I heard it,” he said. “I just had to figure out how I could get on a record with a 15-year-old.”
He famously added, “Mark my word, that’s going to be one of the biggest songs of 2010.”
History proved him right.

Jasmine Villegas Looks Back
Jasmine Villegas, who played Bieber’s love interest in the Baby music video, later reflected on the experience in a PEOPLE interview.
“I was around 16 or 17,” she said. “I knew he was on YouTube, but I didn’t realize what it would become. I didn’t put two and two together at first.”
From Teen Idol to Global Icon
Bieber’s quiet return to the bowling alley wasn’t just about revisiting a set — it symbolized how far he’s come. From a YouTube discovery to a chart-topping artist who has navigated fame, controversy, marriage, health struggles, and reinvention, Justin Bieber’s journey has been anything but ordinary.
Fifteen years later, Baby still echoes — not just as a song, but as the starting line of one of pop music’s most defining careers.
Entertainment
Euphoria Season 3 First Photos Drop After Four-Year Wait — Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney and Jacob Elordi Return Older and Darker
HBO unveils new Season 3 images as Euphoria jumps five years ahead, revealing adult lives, broken ties, and shocking futures
After nearly four years of silence, HBO’s Euphoria is finally back in focus. On Friday, the network released the first official photos from Euphoria Season 3, giving fans their first glimpse at where the beloved — and deeply troubled — characters have landed after a dramatic five-year time jump.
The images confirm what creator Sam Levinson has been hinting at for months: Euphoria is no longer a high school story. The former teens are now adults, navigating careers, relationships, addiction, ambition, and consequences that didn’t fit inside lockers and classrooms.
Zendaya’s Rue Enters a New, Dangerous Phase
At the center of the series remains Zendaya, returning as Rue Bennett. In the newly released photos, Rue appears isolated and solemn — sitting alone in a church in one image, and riding in a truck in another.

Across the first two seasons, Rue’s struggle with substance abuse — fueled by grief over her father’s death — defined the emotional core of Euphoria. Season 3 takes that struggle even further.
According to Sam Levinson, Rue is now “south of the border in Mexico,” deeply in debt to drug dealer Laurie, played by Martha Kelly. The new season will follow Rue as she searches for “very innovative ways” to survive and pay off what she owes — a storyline that suggests the show is entering its darkest territory yet.
Nate and Cassie’s Shocking Future
One of the biggest reveals from Levinson confirms a jaw-dropping arc: Nate Jacobs (Jacob Elordi) and Cassie Howard (Sydney Sweeney) are now living together in the suburbs — and they’re engaged.
In the Season 3 photos, Nate is seen in a suburban kitchen making hamburgers, a quiet image that contrasts sharply with his violent and manipulative past. Cassie, meanwhile, stands outside a house as an ice cream cone melts in her hand — a visual metaphor for her unraveling emotional state.
Levinson revealed that Cassie is now addicted to social media and obsessed with the illusion of success surrounding her former classmates. He also confirmed that Nate and Cassie will get married before the end of the season, a development that is already dividing fans online.
Jules, Maddy and Lexi Find New Worlds
Jules Vaughn, played by Hunter Schafer, is now attending art school. A new image shows her working in an art studio, with Levinson describing her as “nervous” about her future as a painter.
Maddy Perez (Alexa Demie) has moved to Hollywood, working at a talent agency while juggling undisclosed “side hustles.” In one of the most striking photos, Maddy appears fully glam on a film set — a far cry from her high school chaos.
Interestingly, Maddy appears alongside Lexi Howard (Maude Apatow) in multiple images. Lexi is now working as an assistant to a showrunner, played by Sharon Stone, and is seen wearing a “crew” pass on what looks like a large-scale production set, complete with gladiator costumes in the background.

The Losses Still Linger
Season 3 also carries the weight of real-life and fictional loss.
At the end of Season 2, Fezco (Angus Cloud) watched helplessly as his younger brother Ashtray (Javon Walton) was killed during a SWAT raid. Tragically, Angus Cloud himself died of an accidental overdose in 2023, and his absence looms large over the new season.
Not all characters are returning. Barbie Ferreira, who played Kat Hernandez, previously exited the show, citing creative differences and a lack of direction for her character. Storm Reid, who portrayed Rue’s sister Gia, will also not return for Season 3.
A Grown-Up Euphoria
Speaking earlier this month at an HBO presentation, Sam Levinson explained why the five-year leap felt necessary.
“It felt natural,” he said. “It allows the characters to not only leave high school behind, but college as well.”
The new photos hint at adulthood without spoiling key plot points — solitude, ambition, domesticity, and identity all quietly woven into the visuals.
If Seasons 1 and 2 were about chaos in youth, Euphoria Season 3 looks poised to explore something more unsettling: what happens when trauma grows up with you.
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