Maya Hawke showered her “The Hunger Games” co-star Jennifer Lawrence with praise as she gushed over her role in the franchise’s upcoming prequel, “Sunrise on the Reaping.” In an interview with Jimmy Fallon on “The Tonight Show,” the “Stranger Things” star expressed her gratitude for being a part of the teen-dystopian series. She also credited Lawrence with inspiring her to pick up acting.
Maya Thinks ‘The Hunger Games’ is ‘So Cool’
Before diving into Hawke’s reaction to the conclusion of “Stranger Things,” Fallon noted that the 27-year-old actress had just wrapped up filming on “another iconic franchise.” Hawke will appear in “Sunrise on the Reaping,” the second prequel in the “The Hunger Games” franchise, as Wiress, a mentor from District 3.
“Oh, yeah!” she said with a smile. Prompted by Fallon asking if she knew the original film when she was growing up, Hawke jumped to show her love for Suzanne Collins’ novels and their film adaptations.
“First of all, ‘The Hunger Games’ as a franchise, I think is so cool because it’s so explicitly anti-fascist but so mainstream, which is so unique and special,” she said, “It makes me so proud to be a part of that.”
A key theme in “The Hunger Games” is the focus on disparities between the all-powerful Capitol and the children of the Districts who are forced to participate in the titular Hunger Games. The series follows Katniss Everdeen, played by Lawrence, as she works to take down the Capitol’s fascist regime.
Jennifer Lawrence Inspires Maya Hawke
After praising the series itself, Hawke turned to compliment Lawrence’s acting work in “The Hunger Games.”
“Jennifer Lawrence’s performance in the first four movies is a big part of the reason why I want to be an actor,” said Hawke, who first appeared on screen in 2017 in an adaptation of “Little Women.”
“She’s amazing,” she continued. Lawrence received praise from critics throughout her time playing Katniss.
Hawke’s admiration for Lawrence doesn’t stop with “The Hunger Games.” She noted that Lawrence’s film “Die, My Love” is one of her favorite movies of the year. Hawke watched the film while she was on set in Berlin working on “Sunrise on the Reaping,” which she said was “pretty cool.”
“Meta!” quipped Fallon in response.
“I’m just such a big fan of hers, and, so, to be anywhere near that franchise means the world to me,” added Hawke.
Jennifer Lawrence will Return for ‘Sunrise on the Reaping’
Fallon and Hawke both confirmed that Lawrence will appear in “Sunrise on the Reaping,” an announcement that first came in December 2025.
“It’s pretty amazing and special,” said Hawke of Lawrence returning to the franchise. She then turned her praise to a different “Lawrence” from the “The Hunger Games” universe–director Francis Lawrence, who is not related to the Katniss Everdeen actress. Hawke praised him for being a “wonderful director” and creating a welcoming, exciting environment on set.
“If anyone ever got the chance to come back and be on that set again, I’m sure they would take it because of him,” finished Hawke.
