Bennett Miller & Francis Lawrence In The Mix To Direct CATCHING FIRE

After the previously revealed short list of directors for Lionsgate's The Hunger Games sequel, Moneyball's Bennett Miller and I Am Legend's Francis Lawrence are also said to be in contention to direct the upcoming film.

By PaulRom - Apr 17, 2012 04:04 PM EST

Filed Under: Action

After Gary Ross' recent departure from directing the adaptation of the second film in the Hunger Games trilogy, Lionsgate has been searching for a replacement. Last week, we learned that David Cronenberg, Alfonso Cuaron and Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu were being considered to direct Catching Fire. Now, The Playlist has learned that Bennet Miller (Moneyball) and Francis Lawrence (I Am Legend) are also in contention for the gig. Miller is currently attached to direct Foxcatcher, which is aiming at a fall shoot (around the time that Catching Fire will be filming); it's possible that production on the film would be pushed back if the director decides to go with Catching Fire. On the other hand, Lawrence's schedule is currently free, and would have no trouble getting right to work on the sequel (penned by 127 Hours' Simon Beaufoy). With production beginning in months, Lionsgate is currently searching hard for a director. Expect an official announcement to be made soon.

Image Via The Playlist

Starring Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth and Josh Hutcherson, Catching Fire is set to hit theaters November 22nd, 2013. Below is a plot summary of the novel:

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge.

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15 Comments

pro346 - 4/17/2012, 4:44 PM

Whoever they choose lets hope they know how to use a tripod.

gastitdk - 4/17/2012, 4:49 PM

Francis Lawrence is a de-aged Bradley Cooper

FightAs0ne - 4/17/2012, 4:50 PM

@shocktron plenty of movies that have been on this website have not been related to comics or super heros...if you dont wanna know about it then dont click and read...simple as that

PaulRom - 4/17/2012, 4:51 PM

Sci-fi films in general can be covered on the site, and Hunger Games is sci-fi related. There ya go.

AutobotCommander84 - 4/17/2012, 5:15 PM

@spanglish LOL

AutobotCommander84 - 4/17/2012, 5:20 PM

Most of the directors who are being considered I've never heard of aside from Alfonso Cuaron and Francis Lawrence. But I am really hoping to see I Am Legend so...

Sanderman - 4/17/2012, 5:27 PM

@shocktron it can be related because the main star is mystique in xmen

pro346 - 4/17/2012, 5:34 PM

@SHOCKTRON yeah like suspensesmith said....even though i thought the movie was shit it still deserves coverage.

pro346 - 4/17/2012, 5:37 PM

Alfonso cuaron is a great director he directed the only watchable harry potter movies and done the brillant children of men a proper post apocalyptic movie.

P862010 - 4/17/2012, 6:13 PM

half of these short listed directros wont do it because lionsgate wants to rush this film

they want to shoot in august for god sakes

sweetalchemies - 4/17/2012, 6:18 PM

@spanglish

I'm all for Lawrence. And Cuaron, he made Prisoner of Azkaban amazing, one of the best movies of the series.

AUSSYACE - 4/17/2012, 6:32 PM

Who Cares...

Theboyfromkrypton - 4/17/2012, 6:56 PM

The second guy looks like bradley cooper.

Bennett Miller & Francis Lawrence In The Mix To Direct CATCHING FIRE

After the previously revealed short list of directors for Lionsgate's The Hunger Games sequel, Moneyball's Bennett Miller and I Am Legend's Francis Lawrence are also said to be in contention to direct the upcoming film.

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