Lawrence directing ‘Games’ sequel
Francis Lawrence is set to take over from Gary Ross as director of the next installment of The Hunger Games franchise, according to reports.
The I Am Legend filmmaker is said to have received an official offer to step behind the camera for Catching Fire at a meeting with studio executives at Lionsgate on Thursday.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the hunt was narrowed down to Lawrence and Moneyball director Bennett Miller, but the former landed the job due to his open schedule.
Ross put his departure down to time constraints when he dropped out of the much-hyped franchise earlier this month.
Lawrence now faces a race against the clock to get production rolling on Catching Fire, which is scheduled to be released in November 2013.