Lionsgate has selected Francis Lawrence (Water for Elephants, I Am Legend) to replace Gary Ross as director for the next installment of the Hunger Games franchise, Catching Fire.
Lionsgate is a bit under the gun to get production going on the sequel because FOX is due to start production on the sequel to X-Men: First Class early next year, and Jennifer Lawrence is contractually bound to participate in a sequel. While other directors were circling the project, Francis Lawrence was the one who was able to start on this project immediately – not that he was at the bottom of the list necessarily, but I’m sure this helped.
I think Francis Lawrence is a capable director and will do just fine handling the sequel to the much-applauded Hunger Games. While the first installment was a great film, I don’t think we are in danger of ending up with a poor second installment by losing Ross at the helm. I think that danger comes from what appears to be a very rushed production schedule to ensure this movie gets made before Jennifer Lawrence gets swept up by the X-Men: First Class sequel.
Sound of on your thoughts in this change of directors in the comments below!