If the reactants have more potential energy than the products in a chemical reaction, it means that the reaction is exothermic. In this case, the reaction will have to release energy to the surroundings.
So the correct response is:
**The reaction will have to release energy to the surroundings.**
When the reactants convert into products and the products have lower potential energy, the excess energy is typically released in the form of heat, light, or other forms of energy.