'Hunger Games:' Gary Ross won't direct 'Catching Fire'

A Catching Fire movie update from LAtimes.com...

Proving the adage that there’s nothing as complicated in Hollywood as a hit, Gary Ross won’t direct “Catching Fire,” the second installment in Lionsgate's massively popular “The Hunger Games” franchise.

After several weeks of reports that the parties were haggling over money and deal points, both studio and director made statements in an email from Lionsgate that sought to dismiss those reports even as they confirmed that they were parting ways.

Ross led the statement, saying that “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." The second installment of the Jennifer Lawrence-starring franchise based on Suzanne Collins' book series is scheduled to come out in November 2013. That’s about 19 months away — not a luxurious timetable, but hardly a bang-bang one either.

Ross went on to call directing “The Hunger Games” “the happiest experience of my professional life.” Then, addressing the reports, he said, “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.”

Lionsgate followed the Ross statement by saying that it was “very sorry that Gary Ross has chosen not to direct ‘Catching Fire,’" adding that he “did an incredible job on the first film and we are grateful for his work.” It also said, "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."

The news will inevitably spark a new round of speculation, calling to mind another famous director-studio separation after a hit: Catherine Hardwicke’s high-profile departure from Summit’s “Twilight Saga.” As in that case, the studio in question was run by Rob Friedman (Summit and Lionsgate were recently combined into one entity), though there are also some differences. Hardwicke’s “Twilight,” for instance, did not earn reviews as strong as Ross’ “The Hunger Games.”

The guessing game can now begin on what director should take on "Catching Fire," which centers on Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark after they leave the Arena in the titular games. The film already has a shiny pedigree in one respect: Simon Beaufoy, the Oscar-winning “Slumdog Millionaire” scribe, is penning the new film.

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Hungry for more money! The Hunger Games sequel faces possible delays as director demands higher fee

A Catching Fire movie update from Dailymail.co.uk...

The Hunger Games sequel Catching Fire may face delays hitting screens.

Screenwriter and director Gary Ross has reportedly asked for more money to lead the project than the studio is willing to pay.

Lionsgate studios only started negotiations with Ross three weeks before the first installment came out, and as a result the release date for the second may be pushed back.

At the point when negotiations started, it was already clear that The Hunger Games would be a huge hit.

Ross was paid $3million for The Hunger Games, in addition to five per cent of the film's profits, according to The Huffington Post.

Lionsgate executives are apparently unwilling to comment on the reported disagreement.

Meanwhile Jennifer Lawrence has come under fire for her portrayal as Katniss Everdeen, with reviewers claiming she was too 'big-boned' for the role.

However, the 22-year-old is hardly bothered as she recently laughed off the critics responses calling it 'hilarious.'

According to the Chicago Sun Times, the actress told a friend: 'First, people say how so many actresses in Hollywood look anorexic, and now they are criticising me for looking normal.

She went on to say that super thin body images 'are too often adopted by young girls and women - thanks to what they are constantly being shown as being attractive.'

Critics of the film feel that the Lawrence was larger than the book's original character - who is supposed to be poor and hungry.

According to the Sun Times, one reporter referred to Lawrence as having 'lingering baby fat.'

However, the blonde star clearly has no problem with her own appearance and will no doubt choose to ignore the 'fat' jibes from now on.

But although the film has been extremely successful, and made almost £135 million worldwide in its opening weekend, it has still been met by more controversy including a race row.

Earlier this week it was reported that racist remarks regarding some of the actors in the film had begun appearing online.

According to BBC News, posts were said to be directed at African-American cast members and included tweets such as 'Why is Rue a little black girl? #sticktothebook.'

However, writer of the original book Suzanne Collins was involved in the making of the film, and therefore would have agreed with the portrayal of the characters.

The thriller follows 16-year-old heroine Katniss - a young women that volunteers to take part in a bloody gladiatorial-style competition in which teens fight to the death in a bid to save her young sister.

Set in a futuristic version of America, 'The Hunger Games' are organised by an authoritarian government.

The event sees two children aged 12-18 from 12 districts put forward to battle with a collection of weapons in a specially adapted arena until only one remains.

But yet more controversy has surrounded the film after parents complained that the film was 'too gory for young teens.'

Scenes that have upset some parents include one where a girl screams for her life as she stung to death by killer wasps, another when a young child is skewered with a spear, another battered with a brick and scenes were piles of bodies lay fallen after bloody battles between the combatants.

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Buy District 12 from Hunger Games for $1.4 million

A Hunger Games movie update from News.Yahoo.com...

Hunger Games fans, take note: you can own the run-down village that served as the Everdeens' hometown in the movie... so long as you're willing to plunk down $1.4 million for it. The 72-acre North Carolina property called Henry River Mill Village was practically a ghost town prior to the flick. Now, the village is enjoying tremendous popularity that's only bound to grow once the sequels come out.

83-year-old owner, Wade Shepherd, lives across the empty village, and originally purchased it to "protect his interests" after the last resident moved out in 1987. While Shepherd never mentioned the exact reason why he's putting the town up for sale, there's probably no better time than now: "I'm getting too many visitors. Day and night, they're driving through, taking pictures, getting out and walking. I'm just bombarded with people," he told the Associated Press. Your $1.4 million will get you several District 12 locations you've seen in the movie, including the Everdeens' house and the Mellarks' bakery.

Hunger Games is the first installment in a trilogy of dystopian novels — and first in what's rumored to be a series of four films — where 24 chosen teenagers from 12 districts have to fight to the death in an arena. The young heroine, Katniss Everdeen (played by actress Jennifer Lawrence in the movie), lived with her family in the slums of District 12.

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