As you may or may not know, hunger Games director Gary Ross has backed down from directing the sequel “Catching Fire” as I commented on the show, we thought it was more because of studio pressure than personal reasons. As it turns out Ros was not too happy with the cut on the production schedule (Due to Jenifer Lawrence’s contract for the sequel of X-Men First Class).
Ross declared:
“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.”
Fox has dibs on J. Lawrence’s schedule because their contract precedes the HG contract. And rumor has it Fox wasn’t too thrilled when shooting of the Hunger Games prevented the actress from appearing on the premiere tour of First Class.
Quote from fan site Hypable concerning this:
“According to knowledgeable sources, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group co-chair Rob Friedman pressed Fox to set a later start date for the X-Men movie, even offering allurements such as a chance to handle some of the overseas distribution on Catching Fire.
Fox was willing to move its start date back a few weeks and is still in conversations with Lionsgate on that issue. But the additional time would not have been enough to allay Ross’s concerns. And Fox may have been inclined to cooperate only up to a point. When the first X-Men film was released in June 2011, the studio very much wanted Lawrence to attend the premiere. The star was starting The Hunger Games then and Lionsgate did not make her available, apparently causing severe friction with Fox. Friedman, who was not at Lionsgate then and has a good relationship with Fox’s Tom Rothman, has been negotiating to win a little more time. Lionsgate is now said to be confident that it can complete shooting in the time allotted.”
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