Gary Ross will not be returning for Catching Fire, the sequel to massive box office smash The Hunger Games, it has been revealed. Rather than negotiate to direct Catching Fire for a late 2013 release, Ross has instead left the project entirely, according to Deadline. In a statement, the director said the following: “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.” He went on to thank various people for their help in bringing the movie to life. Studio Lionsgate released their own statement, thanking Ross for his contributions – now we wait and see who will take on the job.
Any guesses?