Like a Katniss arrow through an apple, Catching Fire has finally hit the bullseye on a new director to replace the departed Gary Ross. Director Francis Lawrence will helm the followup to the box office smash The Hunger Games. Francis, whose credits include Water for Elephants and Constantine, already has experience with dystopian/post apocalyptic films, having directed Wil Smith in 2007's I Am Legend.
It's good to know that Lionsgate has finally decided on a director. Pre-production is now full steam ahead with principal photography set to start in late August or early September. My only concern is that Francis was apparently the studio's third choice. Juan Antonio Bayona had to turn the film down due to scheduling conflicts and Moneyball director Bennett Miller wanted to direct the Steve Carrell film Foxcatcher first. However, as I've mentioned in previous posts, Lionsgate has to get the show on the road before Lawrence is contractually obligated to start filming the X-Men: First Class sequel in January.
Furthermore, the apparent push to get things started fast was what prompted director Gary Ross to leave in the first place. Well that and money. But the point still stands. I'd rather have a great Catching Fire movie rather than a merely good one. At the same time I don't think this is really that big of a deal. September is over four months away and aside from casting a few new characters and set designs I really don't see the problem. It's not like they are planning to deviate from the source material.
Now that I would have an issue with.
Catching Fire releases November 22, 2013
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