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Gary Ross will not return to The Hunger Games movie franchise and direct the follow-up film Catching Fire. The director issued the following statement yesterday:

"Despite recent speculation in the media, and after difficult but sincere consideration, I have decided not to direct Catching Fire. 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.

"I loved making The Hunger Games – it was the happiest experience of my professional life. Lionsgate was supportive of me in a manner that few directors ever experience in a franchise: they empowered me to make the film I wanted to make and backed the movie in a way that requires no explanation beyond the remarkable results. And contrary to what has been reported, negotiations with Lionsgate have not been problematic. They have also been very understanding of me through this difficult decision.

"I also cannot say enough about the people I worked with: Producer Nina Jacobson, a great collaborator and a true friend; the brilliant Suzanne Collins, who entrusted us with her most amazing and important story; the gifted and remarkable Jennifer Lawrence whose performance exceeded my wildest expectations, and the rest of the incredible cast, whom I am proud to call my friends.

"To the fans I want to say thank you for your support your faith, your enthusiasm and your trust. Hard as this may be to understand I am trying to keep that trust with you. Thank you all. It’s been a wonderful experience."

Lionsgate, the film studio that released The Hunger Games, also issued their own statement:

"We’re very sorry that Gary Ross has chosen not to direct Catching Fire. We were really looking forward to making the movie with him. He did an incredible job on the first film and we are grateful for his work. This will not be the end of our relationship, as we consider Ross to be part of the Lionsgate family and look forward to working with him in the future."

- Lionsgate. Comment on this Scoop (1)

A deal has been struck. Slumdog Millionaire screenwriter Simon Beaufoy has been hired to adapt Catching Fire, the second of the Hunger Games books, into a script. He's already hard at work with director Gary Ross.

- The Wrap. Comment on this Scoop (0)

A story is breaking that the studio is in discussions to have screenwriter Simon Beaufoy (The Full Monty) write the script for Catching Fire, the follow-up book to The Hunger Games. Also mentioned is that the director of the Hunger Games movie, namely Gary Ross, is all but officially announced to direct the Catching Fire movie.

- Deadline. Comment on this Scoop (0)