I AM LEGEND Director Francis Lawrence To Direct CATCHING FIRE

THE HUNGER GAMES sequel finally has its new director: Francis Lawrence.

Deadline has confirmed this morning that Lionsgate has chosen Francis Lawrence to direct CATCHING FIRE, ending the fan speculation as to who would be able to replace Gary Ross.

The website says that after Juan Antonio Bayona was deemed unavailable, it came down to Lawrence and MONEYBALL director Bennett Miller.  Miller was interested in the job, but wanted to make the Steve Carell vehicle, FOXCATCHER, first.  This would be impossible, as Lionsgate needs to start production by late August, so star Jennifer Lawrence could start filming the X-MEN: FIRST CLASS sequel in early 2013. (Fox has an option to pull her from CATCHING FIRE, if they deem necessary, for X-MEN).

Lawrence’s last film was WATER FOR ELEPHANTS, starring Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon.  Before that, he took control of I AM LEGEND and CONSTANTINE.