Alfonso Cuaron, David Cronenberg, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu Shortlisted For ‘Hunger Games’ Sequel ‘Catching Fire’
Chatter about who could or should direct theHunger GamessequelCatching Firebegan the second word got out that the first film’s helmer,Gary Ross, might be leaving the franchise. And now that his departure’s officially been confirmed, the conversation has further heated up, not just among fans but among Lionsgate studio execs as well.
A search has begun in earnest for Ross' replacement, and if the first three names we’ve heard are indicative of the direction that Lionsgate is going, Ross' exit could actually end up being a blessing in disguise. Among the filmmakers supposedly in the mix areAlfonso Cuarón,David Cronenberg, andAlejandro González Iñárritu. Read more after the jump.
The insider spelled out a few other specific criteria from Lionsgate as well. In addition to exciting current fans, Lionsgate needs someone with enough experience and talent to please source material authorSuzanne Collins, who’s less concerned with box office dollars than artistic integrity. Because the plan is to go into production by August, the new hire has to have the ability to work quickly while managing a huge cast and collaborating with Collins and writerSimon Beaufoyon the script. And they apparently want someone even-tempered, probably because getting a lot of work done in a short amount of time is much easier when the guy at the top isn’t having a hissy fit every five minutes.
Discuss:Who’s your pick forCatching Fire? I think Cuarón seems like the most obvious choice here, but also the best one. HisPrisoner of Azkabanholds up as one of the highlights of the eight-filmHarry Potterseries, and he definitely “gets” both adolescents and dark, dystopian worlds (check outChildren of Menif you haven’t already).
