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SALT LAKE CITY - "The Hunger Games" hasn't been in theaters for a month, but it's already made over $460 million worldwide. The film is a huge success and people are already asking, "When's the sequel coming out?"
Well, the sequel will start shooting later this year and is set to be released in November of next year. But when "Catching Fire" hits the screen a key player from the first film won't be attached. Don't worry fans, none of the actors will be replaced, they've all signed contracts and will return, but the helmer of the first film is out for the sequel.
Gary Ross directed "The Hunger Games" but he has confirmed that he will not do the second film.
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"Despite recent speculation in the media, and after difficult but sincere consideration, I have decided not to direct Catching Fire," Ross wrote in a statement. "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."
In the statement Ross said making Games was the "happiest experience of my professional life."
With Ross out, speculations as to who will direct the upcoming sequel have saturated the web. Here are a few ideas as to who we at ksl.com think could take the reins and do "Catching Fire" justice.
Abrams has proven his ability to take on a big franchise and deliver a solid product. Abrams took over the Mission Impossible franchise on the third installment and produced one of the highest rated films of the bunch. He also rebooted "Star Trek" and created a critical and financial hit.
With his track record Abrams appears capable of tackling the spectacle of "Catching Fire" and still tell a compelling story.
Fuqua is a Hollywood veteran and he knows how to make an entertaining film.
Fuqua has a gift for capturing the excitement of a big budget film, but like Abrams, he knows how to tell a story. If "Catching Fire" could capture the grittiness of Fuqua's "Training Day" and the action of his 2007 effort "Shooter" we'd have a downright entertaining film that would make Gary Ross proud.
Whedon has long been a fan boy favorite, but recently he has become the hottest thing in Hollywood.
Whedon was the executive producer on the TV series "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and the cult favorite "Firefly." Whedon is now breaking into directing feature films and he's done it in great style.
Whedon is directing this summer's "Avengers" which no doubt be one of the biggest films of 2012. Before landing that spot his only other feature film directing effort was the film adaption of his TV show "Firefly," "Serenity."
If he was given control of Marvel's biggest film to date he must have something truly special and it would be interesting to see him take on Panem.
Cortes would be the biggest wild card on this list with the least amount of experience, but he's proven to be an imaginative filmmaker.
Cortes is likely best known for his directorial work on 2010's "Buried." While not everyone loved "Buried" or could get past the claustrophobia of the film, most everyone agreed that Cortes made an inventive, skin-crawling film.
Cortes managed to keep audiences intrigued, entertained and on the edge of their seats for 90 minutes all while inside a tiny coffin. Just imagine what he could do with wide open spaces and a wide open budget.
Bigelow was the first woman to win an Academy Award in the Best Director category for her work on 2008's Best Picture, "The Hurt Locker."
Bigelow's vision was haunting, touching, gripping and at times terrifying. If that doesn't scream "Catching Fire" I'm not sure what does.
Bigelow brings experience to the table and something else that none of the others on the list can. She's a woman. Bigelow can connect on a certain level with Katniss and I think it would be a breath of fresh air and an interesting take to see a woman direct a big budget action film with a woman lead which was written by a woman.
So, there's a list of just five names that could possibly take over for the departing Gary Ross. What directors do you think would be a great choice for the job and have we totally missed the mark on our picks? Let us know on the comment boards and on our Facebook page.
