Fan-Made “Catching Fire” Movie Poster: Finnick

Source: http://nikola94.deviantart.com

OFFICIAL: Francis Lawrence Selected to Direct ‘Catching Fire’

According to a THR Exclusive, Francis Lawrence has been selected by Lionsgate to direct the next ‘Hunger Games’ installment, ‘Catching Fire‘.

The news has been confirmed by Variety! Lawrence has been officially offered the job. As of yet, there is no word as to whether or not he has accepted.

After a quick but fairly exhaustive search, Lionsgate has chosen Francis Lawrence to direct the Hunger Games sequel Catching Fire.

Sources say that Lawrence will receive an official offer this afternoon. If he accepts and a deal can be worked out, he will replace Gary Ross, who directed the first installment of the hugely successful franchise.

The hunt had been a fast and furious one, with the field narrowing down to Lawrence, the director of I Am Legend and Water for Elephants, and Bennett Miller, the director of the acclaimed Brad Pitt baseball movie Moneyball. Both directors met with the studio today, according to sources, and Lionsgate executives have made their pick.

‘Catching Fire’ Director Breakdown: Francis Lawrence and Bennett Miller

If the rumors are true, than Francis Lawrence or Bennett Miller will be taking over ‘The Hunger Games‘ franchise and directing ‘Catching Fire‘. MTV has done a breakdown of both potential directors, take a look and let us know what you think in the comments!

Bennett Miller

Background: Documentary

Miller’s first film was a doc he directed and shot called “The Cruise” about a New York City tour guide.

Big Break: “Capote”

Miller’s first feature film was a biography of Truman Capote during his years writing “In Cold Blood.” Miller’s college classmate, Dan Futterman, wrote the screenplay. Philip Seymour Hoffman’s role in the film won him an Academy Award for Best Actor.

What You Probably Know Him From: “Moneyball”

When “Hunger Games” second unit director Steven Soderbergh’s version of the baseball drama ran aground, Miller picked up the project and led the film to a Best Picture nomination at this year’s Academy Awards.

Pros: Character and Vision

In both of Miller’s feature films, the characters have been in the foreground. “Capote” examined the life of a lost and broken man just as he was reaching the height of his fame. With “Moneyball,” he took a book that did not seem fit for a narrative film and made one of last year’s best movies. He could definitely handle the complex relationships of the series.

Cons: He’s Busy

Since finishing “Capote,” Miller has tried to get a film called “Foxcatcher” off the ground. It would follow the true story of a paranoid millionaire who murdered an Olympic wrestler. Channing Tatum and Steve Carell have been on board since the fall, and Mark Ruffalo joined the film earlier this week. If Miller gets the job on “Catching Fire,” “Foxcatcher” would inevitably be put on the back burner once again.

Francis Lawrence

Background: Music Videos

Lawrence began his career making quite the name for himself as a music video director. His work includes clips for “Waiting for Tonight” by Jennifer Lopez and “I’m a Slave 4 U” by Britney Spears.

Big Break: “Constantine” His first feature was the comic book adaptation “Constantine” starring Keanu Reeves as a supernatural detective.

What You Probably Know Him From: “I Am Legend” and “Water for Elephants” Lawrence helmed the half-a-billion-dollar Will Smith vehicle “I Am Legend.” It was a huge hit at the box office and the second-biggest film of Smith’s career. The director’s most recent film was the Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson romance “Water for Elephants.”

Pros: Style and Action

Lawrence’s background directing music videos helped him establish a particular look for his work, and since most of his films have been action movies, taking on the stunts for “Catching Fire” wouldn’t be a problem.

Cons: Track Record

Of all the directors mentioned so far as candidates for the “Catching Fire” job, Lawrence has the least impressive résumé. Every other director has earned Oscar nominations for their films or the actors in them.

Read the whole article here!

So which director would you prefer for ‘Catching Fire’? Francis Lawrence or Bennett Miller?

Source: MTV

Fan-Made Movie Poster for ‘Catching Fire’

Source: poisonisinjectable

Fan-Made Poster: Catching Fire

Source: http://theoldonetwo.tumblr.com

Variety: What Lionsgate Needs to do to Meet ‘Catching Fire’ Deadline

A new article from Variety takes a look at the 19-month window Lionsgate has to get Catching Fire from script to theater. Filming needs to wrap by the end of the year since Jennifer Lawrence is needed on X-Men beginning in January 2013, and according to Variety, “Lionsgate is holding firm to its Nov. 22, 2013 release date for Catching Fire, a spokeswoman confirmed Wednesday.”

The good news is that Variety doesn’t think Lionsgate will have any problem meeting this deadline, provided that they clear these hurdles:

• It needs to sign a director whose late-summer schedule is open and can immediately begin working with “Slumdog Millionaire” screenwritier Simon Beaufoy, who’s still crafting the “Fire” script.
• Though Lionsgate has the lead actors (Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth and Woody Harrelson) locked in for the sequels, the stunning performance of “Hunger Games” means the company may feel the need to sweeten their deals — even if it’s not contractually obligated to do so.
• Once a director is on board, he or she needs to cast about two dozen additional actors who were not in “The Hunger Games.”

Variety notes that “none of these tasks is insurmountable, and bizzers expect Lionsgate to meet its deadlines.”

“I don’t think it’s a big problem,” said one tenpercenter who covers Lionsgate. “It would have been a problem if it were the first film, but now you already have the infrastructure in place for the next film.”

You can read the full article at Variety (though it requires a subscription).

NextMovie weighs in on Who Should Direct Catching Fire

After the official announcement that director Gary Ross will not be directing Catching Fire, NextMovie is getting a jump start at looking for new potential directors to take the directors seat for The Hunger Games sequel. Here are just a few of the directors on their list.

Steven Soderbergh

We’ve already gotten a taste of what director Steven Soderbergh can bring to the “Hunger Games” fold, as he did second unit work on the first installment and brought forth that nail-biting revolution in District 11 sequence. So, we have little doubt that Soderbergh could ably carry on the tone, message and feel of the franchise. Our friends at Hollywood Crush dig him as the next in line as well. Only problem is, he’s got his hands full with ”The Side Effects.”

Peter Jackson

If he could squeeze it into his very busy ”The Hobbit” schedule, director Peter Jackson would be an excellent choice for “Catching Fire.” Not only is he a proven book-to-film aficionado by way of “The Lord of the Rings” series, but he’s also an actor’s director and he can seriously grapple with the necessary CGI for the film. However, money was among the issues with Ross, and we can’t imagine Jackson wouldn’t cost Lionsgate double whatever Ross wanted.

Jackie, Dayo and Alexander React to Gary Ross Leaving Catching Fire

Jacqueline Emerson talked with Celebuzz, and all three tributes Jackie, Dayo Okeniyi and Alexander Ludwig spoke with E! Online at last night’s 13th Anniversary Party for Nylon Magazine, about Gary Ross leaving The Hunger Games franchise. The stars were shocked and saddened by the news.

Alexander Ludwig with E!:

“One thing about Gary is, he can do everyone’s job better than you can… It’s an honor working with such a talented director. He is an unbelievable guy and an actor’s director, which is amazing…Nobody could really do what Gary did. I honestly believe that 100 percent.”

Dayo Okeniyi with E!:

“I’m heartbroken. He was the perfect person for me for the first movie, because he has this great ability to do the indie thing with the blockbuster thing and I think everybody wants that combination.”

While Okeniyi said he hopes “somehow in the cosmos it works out [that Ross] can do the second movie,” he also had a couple of suggestions for a new director.

“I’d like to see a David Fincher Catching Fire or Darren Aronofsky,” he said. “I think he’d be amazing for the second movie. Be a little bit edgier, darker.”

Jacqueline Emerson with E!, who broke the news to the actress:

“That makes me so sad,” she said. “I’m sorry, I can’t move on yet. I’m still in mourning. I don’t know that anyone else could bring it to life the way that he did.”

Video: Could Grant Gustin Be Finnick Odair?

Grant tells ClevverTV that upon reading Catching Fire about a year ago, he felt a strong connection to Finnick. At the time he even told his friends, “I’m gonna play this part!” We love that he is such a hardcore fan of the series!

What do you think, could you see Grant Gustin as Finnick Odair?