CONFIRMED: Gary Ross Won't Direct CATCHING FIRE

CONFIRMED: Gary Ross Won't Direct CATCHING FIRE

After it was revealed earlier that the adaptation of the second Hunger Games novel was to begin production this fall, it's been confirmed that director Gary Ross will not return to helm the upcoming sequel.

News
By PaulRom - Apr 06, 2012 08:04 AM EST
Filed Under: Action
Source: The Playlist




This morning, it was reported that Lionsgate and 20th Century Fox worked out their schedules to allow Jennifer Lawrence to film the sequels to both X-Men: First Class and The Hunger Games, with the latter to begin production August-September. But now, The Playlist has learned that Gary Ross - who directed the first Hunger Games film - has departed from the sequel, Catching Fire. The site says that the major reason Ross left wasn't anything financial; instead, he doesn't have a desire to spend another couple years involved with the franchise.

Ironically, The Playlist also notes that "it will be something he [Ross] has written that will earn him a better payday that he would've received on Catching Fire." The search is currently on for a new director. 127 Hours' Simon Beaufoy has written the script, while the main cast from the first film (Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, etc.) have all signed on for future sequels.

Catching Fire is slated to hit theaters November 22nd, 2013.







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RunDTC
RunDTC - 4/6/2012, 8:28 AM
Brad Bird anyone?
WolvieCBM
WolvieCBM - 4/6/2012, 8:31 AM
Huh.
tazmaniak
tazmaniak - 4/6/2012, 8:39 AM
Makes sense.Certain directors like doing different types of movies, so it's understandable that he doesn't want to spend 3+ years doing nothing but these films.
GUNSMITH
GUNSMITH - 4/6/2012, 8:49 AM
ITS "DIRECTOR MUSICAL CHAIRS" FOR THIS ONE.
StrangerX
StrangerX - 4/6/2012, 8:51 AM
It was a cool film, but I could see another director attached.
thewonderer
thewonderer - 4/6/2012, 8:51 AM
@nailbiter

Ross blew hard in Hunger Games. The camera would not stop shaking the whole damn movie.

Thank god they changed him, the films success has nothing to do with his direction
Moriarty117
Moriarty117 - 4/6/2012, 8:52 AM
I concur with RunDTC, bring in the Bird. He actually made a MI better than Abrams, IMO.

Although there are a slew of decent directors that could jive with this franchise, I hope they don't pick a terrible one due to their rushed time constraints.

Catching Fire is probably going to be the hardest one to pull off considering Mockingjay is a pretty straightforward war/war propaganda book. Kinda like Cap. Bring in Joe Johnston?
GUNSMITH
GUNSMITH - 4/6/2012, 8:54 AM
batfan175
batfan175 - 4/6/2012, 9:06 AM
the film was ok, nothing too special and i haven't read the books so i don't have too much of an emotional investment; it didn't get me to read the books, contrary to lord of the Rings or the Shining so....whatever; i'm sure they'll find a competent director 'cause i'm sure they don't want to let their cash cow die.
TayDee
TayDee - 4/6/2012, 9:09 AM
So when a director leaves a regular movie its ok, but when it happens to a CBM everybody here flips out and accuses Marvel? I don't get it!
WolvieCBM
WolvieCBM - 4/6/2012, 9:16 AM
Yeah, the shaky cam was just brutal, but overall, the film was okay. It will be interesting to see who gets to direct the sequel.

TayDee: Don't worry, these things happen all the time with directors and sequels. Most people have no idea how things work, so they have a need to complain. It's all good.
superbatspiderman
superbatspiderman - 4/6/2012, 9:33 AM
Brad Bird would be awesome with this. Good thinking RunDTC.
GiantNerd
GiantNerd - 4/6/2012, 9:38 AM
I was going to see this until I heard it was a shaky camera festival. I [frick]ing hate that type of camera work.

I'll quote Billy Loomis from Scream, "It's called tact you f*ck rag".
Sanderman
Sanderman - 4/6/2012, 9:41 AM
Good! I didn't really care for his directing much and felt the movie could've been better. Still really good tho
QuietStorm
QuietStorm - 4/6/2012, 9:48 AM
I thought the film was pretty good. I was just okay with the shaky cam but the director said that he REALLY wanted to emphasize how chaotic it is for young children to be in a fight for the death. I just finished reading Catching Fire and I cant wait to see how they pull off the Quarter Quell!
Hellsing
Hellsing - 4/6/2012, 9:57 AM
Get Doug Liman or Paul Greengrass kings of shaky cam or Nolan dudes got some experience with shaky cam. Yes I understand why he did but it was still [frick]ing distracting. But Ross did damn fine job with the movie could have been worse oh and please recast Hutcherson any talent the kid showed early on in his career has vanished. Any ways atleast they still have Lawrence in the movie.
GiantNerd
GiantNerd - 4/6/2012, 10:01 AM
I can see the point of the shaky camera during the violence but I read several reviews and they said it was like the DOP was having a seizure for two hours.
Hellsing
Hellsing - 4/6/2012, 10:12 AM
well I wouldn't say the whole two hours that would be unfair more like 15 to 20 minutes
Hellsing
Hellsing - 4/6/2012, 10:13 AM
On a serious note though Alfonso Cuoron FTW. although I was kinda hoping he would do a Dr Strange movie. But I doubt thats going to happen
NeoBaggins
NeoBaggins - 4/6/2012, 10:18 AM
I thought this looked like utter shit. But since I didn't feel like waiting an hour to Vedge out on Titans, I bought a ticket just to see. It was a good flick, nothing more. But good enough to follow the series. When the director leaves after setting the tone of the first film, that may be a problem. The directing wasn't mind-blowing but it set a signature for the mood and tone of the films- part of whatever success it's having. This kinda makes me lose my new found enthusiasm for a film I almost disregarded.

Possible fail.
GiantNerd
GiantNerd - 4/6/2012, 10:36 AM
If it's only 20mins I could probably survive that. I heard it was shaking from the opening scene to the end. I'll red box it. That way I won't be pissed if I have to shut it off.
TheHitchhikingGhost
TheHitchhikingGhost - 4/6/2012, 11:01 AM
The loss of Ross means nothing. He's a director with no style. I compare it to when Columbus made the first two Potter movies; 1 & 2 are point-and-shoot, then Alfonso saved the day in 3 with his style. Get a visionary to take a stab at it because the first one SUCKED.
Denn1s
Denn1s - 4/6/2012, 11:10 AM
why is it CBM news?
claybo4131
claybo4131 - 4/6/2012, 11:51 AM
Kind of surprised, he said he was looking forward to directing it. Kind of a complicated book to do, and casting of some major players coming up. 75th Hunger Games/3rd QUarter Quell is something that has a lot of twists & turns, there are several plot twists in this book that I can not even explain them on here for those who haven't read the book or seen the movie
JonStarkgaryen
JonStarkgaryen - 4/6/2012, 12:01 PM
Good news! He can stick his vibrating camera right up his roodypoo candy @ss!
MercMatt
MercMatt - 4/6/2012, 12:21 PM
Doesn't really bother me. Let another director take a shot at it. Maybe make the movie even closer to the book, this time???
batmitedimension
batmitedimension - 4/6/2012, 12:50 PM
@Denn1s CBM doesn't just cover comic book movies, you know, regardless of the website's name....
marvel72
marvel72 - 4/6/2012, 1:32 PM
i hope the second film is better than the first,it was good but not as great as i was led to believe.
soaponapope
soaponapope - 4/6/2012, 2:04 PM
emilyella
emilyella - 4/6/2012, 2:46 PM
aaargh i was so up for ross coming back, dont want another twilight with switching up directors
claybo4131
claybo4131 - 4/6/2012, 3:22 PM
Enough Battle Royale fanboys/trolls ENOUGH. IF it was so popular why did 95% of us never heard of it till after we read these books? Stop being Jealous that Hunger Games is about to be a 300 million a flick franchise
MrCameron
MrCameron - 4/6/2012, 5:33 PM
How about Duncan Jones or Danny Boyle?
AutobotCommander84
AutobotCommander84 - 4/6/2012, 6:58 PM
MARK WEBB!!!
larzjarrod1
larzjarrod1 - 4/6/2012, 11:00 PM
does anyone know this a rip off of battles royale. I never even heard of hunger games till someone brought the fact its was a rip off os the asian battle royale 2002. I mean who ever wrote the books had to watch battle royale. The only reason I found out about BR was because I love Asian hoorror which BR was placed under. I'm just mad we cant be original. And If you never seen Battle royal u get what I'm Talking just look it up. Hunger games = Twilight cross Battle Royale.
pro346
pro346 - 4/6/2012, 11:29 PM
What do they call the hunger games in France? A battle royale with cheese! Only people that have seen pulp fiction would get that one.
NeoBaggins
NeoBaggins - 4/7/2012, 12:47 AM
Never heard of Hunger Games or Battle Royale. Saw Hunger Games.
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