Two More Directors Could Be Catching Fire
Wed, April 18, 2012 
That wishlist of Catching Fire helmers, comprising of David Cronenberg, Alfonso Cuaron and Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, read exactly as that; a wishlist. Filmmakers with distinct visions who would put every ounce of fiber of themselves into their work and, with their high skills, help to avoid the big trap-fall of Catching Fire being a glorified retread of The Hunger Games and, most important, get over the fact Gary Ross has left the building. Who Lionsgate would love to get their hands on, but not necessarily who they'll get.
The Playlist (who scooped Ross' exit) says Moneyball director Bennett Miller and Francis Lawrence, of I Am Legend, are also up for the gig. This feels closer to reality in terms of aspiration, though Miller has the same whiff of prestige as the aforementioned wishlist. In lament's terms, he seems as unattainable as those guys. Not a "No chance in Hell!" choice. After all, Bill Condon directed Twilight: Breaking Dawn.
Lawrence, at face value, has the credentials. He's a shooter, and shooters make tight release dates as Catching Fire has (Lionsgate has November 22, 2013 set in stone, a start-date in this fall all the while they have to share Jennifer Lawrence for the X-Men: First Class sequel Fox says will roll cameras in January). A studio guy he may be, he shoots with enough style and visual pizzazz to not be so paint-by-numbers in order to meet deadlines.
Lionsgate has to make a decision very soon to get pre-production going. These won't be the last guys we see thrown around the Rumor-Mills, but if I'm a betting man, my cash is on Lawrence.
Reader Comments (2)
I could definitely see Lawrence doing it. He's a decent director, if the script is decent the movie should come out fine.
I so wish Joss Whedon would get this gig. Sadly, it'll never happen, especially now that Whedon will finally get a chance to break out with Avengers. I'd have been fine with Alfonso Cuaron, too.