Hunger Games Franchise Loses Director Gary Ross; Who Should Replace Him?
Gossip that Hunger Games director Gary Ross would exit the series turned into reality on Wednesday, when Ross confirmed that he would not return for Catching Fire. The announcement leaves Lionsgate Studios in a bind as expectations run high after Ross’ commercial and artistic success, and as they look for a replacement on an already rushed schedule.
In fact, in a statement he issued, Ross blamed the departure entirely on timing:
“As a writer and a director, I simply don’t have the time I need to write and prep the movie I would have wanted to make because of the fixed and tight production schedule.”
Although this could be Hollywood code for money disputes, Catching Fire does indeed have some tough deadlines: star Jennifer Lawrence was already committed to film the next X-Men movie in January 2013 when she signed on to play Katniss Everdeen. Lionsgate not only has to find a new director by then, but that person has to completely staff and plan their production.
The early fan favorite to be put up to this task seems to be Mexican autuer Alfonso Cuarón, who proved that he could bring his stunning visual style to a mega franchise with Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. I would also nominate Steven Soderbergh, who apparently had a hand in shooting the first Hunger Games film– he was cheekily listed as the “Second Unit Director” and in the special thanks.
Who do you want to direct Catching Fire?
[via Culture Vulture]
[...] Games: Catching Fire since November, with Suzanne Collins who wrote the novels. But now he has quit.Hunger Games Franchise Loses Director Gary Ross; Who Should Replace Him?DrJays.com [...]