Lionsgate Goes With Francis Lawrence For 'Catching Fire' (HV, VAR, DH, TOH)

By Nancy Tartaglione-Moore

It's come down to Francis Lawrence to direct "Hunger Games" sequel "Catching Fire." Following Gary Ross' departure, a quick search narrowed candidates down to Lawrence and Bennett Miller. Miller had scheduling issues and Lawrence received an offer on Thursday afternoon. However, he had reportedly not yet signed a deal by late in the day.

Heat Vision says Lawrence's selection raises the question of the state of the "Catching Fire" screenplay. Ross worked on the "Hunger Games" script and was planning on spending two months to hone "Fire," working from a script penned by Simon Beaufoy.

Producers and director now will need to keep working with Beaufoy or hire new scribes to hammer out the script before shooting begins.

Lionsgate has set a Nov 22, 2013 release date for "Catching" Fire so the clock is ticking.

Lawrence will need to jump right into the project and get Jennifer Lawrence through the second installment before Fox enforces an option for her to make the second installment of "X-Men: First Class," Deadline notes.

"Catching Fire" features a special edition of the Hunger Games every quarter-century in which tributes are "reaped" from the victors of past games, Variety notes.

Even if a franchise-level gross is virtually guaranteed. An intense summer shooting schedule will be a high-pressure nightmare, says Thompson on Hollywood.

TOH has a take on why Lawrence was hired, here.