Francis Lawrence has closed his deal to direct Lionsgate's "Catching Fire," two weeks after the studio offered him the gig.
Lionsgate is planning to shoot the movie starting in the fall for a Nov. 22, 2013 release date. "The Hunger Games" director Gary Ross ankled the sequel on April 10, citing a "fixed and tight production schedule" as his key reason for exiting.
Fox is planning to start its "X-Men: First Class" sequel in January with "Hunger Games" star Jennifer Lawrence -- no relation to Francis Lawrence -- committed to the superhero pic.
Suzanne Collins' "Catching Fire" story features a special
edition of the Hunger Games every quarter-century in which tributes are "reaped" from the victors of past games. Among the key new characters is Finnick, a combatant in the second book who leads a revolt against the Capitol, and the head Gamemaker in the second book who turns out to be working stealthily for the uprising.
"Slumdog Millionaire" screenwriter Simon Beaufoy is crafting the "Fire" script.
"It is truly an honor and a privilege to bring 'Catching Fire,' the second chapter of Suzanne's beloved trilogy, to the big screen," Lawrence said in a statement. "I fell in love with the characters, the themes and the world she created and this chapter opens all of these elements up in such a thrilling, emotional and surprising way."
Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Lenny Kravitz, Elizabeth Banks, Stanley Tucci, Donald Sutherland, Toby Jones, and Woody Harrelson will return in their roles. The film will be produced by Nina Jacobson's Color Force with producer Jon Kilik.
Lawrence, a native of Austria, broke into show business as a music video director and landed his first feature gig on 2005"s "Constantine." He then directed "I Am Legend" and "Water for Elephants."
Lionsgate has not set the release dates for the final two films in the franchise, based on the concluding "Mockingjay" tome in Collins' trilogy.
Either I made up lies about the Boston Bomber or I fell for someone else's crap. Either way, I have absolutely no credibility and you should never pay any attention to anything I say, no matter what the context. Perm me if I claim to be an insider
I'll give FL this. I really always wanted to see waterforelephants as it looks fantastically shot and had shades of carnivale to its look. I really quite enjoyed Constantine but I am legend is uneven. The directors cut (?) with the alternate ending is better than theatrical.
There are a few major new roles in Catching Fire and industry sites have been closely following the casting process. Joanna Mason is one of those roles and it has finally been cast.
Jena Malone was my top choice as she is clearly the best actress among the names that had been tossed around. Separately I have had had a crush on her since my childhood (we are basically the same age), so she was a sentimental favorite for me as well.
There are a few major new roles in Catching Fire and industry sites have been closely following the casting process. Joanna Mason is one of those roles and it has finally been cast.
Jena Malone was my top choice as she is clearly the best actress among the names that had been tossed around. Separately I have had had a crush on her since my childhood (we are basically the same age), so she was a sentimental favorite for me as well.
I said they should cast Dustin Clare for the part in a different HG thread and still stand by that choice Dude would rock the role, just might be a bit too old if they try to make Finnick into a teen heartthrob :|
