Sources: Gary Ross Has Not Withdrawn From ‘Hunger Games 2′
Despite reports that have spread like wildfire on showbiz websites, we hear from multiple sources close to Catching Fire that director Gary Ross has not formally withdrawn from The Hunger Games sequel. Ross is off on a family vacation and couldn’t be reached, but these internet reports that described his withdrawal as definitive are simply not accurate.
There have also been reports about a tense standoff between Lionsgate and Fox over the sequel services of Jennifer Lawrence, who will reprise her role as Mystique in the sequel to X-Men: First Class. That has also been somewhat overblown; Fox had an option deal on Lawrence way before she signed on to play Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games. That put Fox in first position. Since Lionsgate has a Catching Fire script done, Fox allowed them to go first.
As for the notion that Ross would simply toss away the opportunity to return and direct Catching Fire because of a salary squabble, the logic seems flawed. The Seabiscuit director knows the benefit of riding in a winner and not switching horses midstream. Ross lobbied hard to get The Hunger Games and turned it into the biggest hit of his directing career. Before that, he developed several serious historical dramatic projects under his deal at Universal that didn’t get off the ground. Staying for a sure-fire hit and a sequel that audiences actually want to see makes a lot of sense for Ross, particularly given how active the filmmaker has been in the construction of Catching Fire.
Ross and author Suzanne Collins have been working on this since last November. They drafted Slumdog Millionaire screenwriter Simon Beaufoy back then, when the Hunger Games post production schedule became too arduous for Ross to see through a plan to write the outline and then pen the sequel script with Collins. We’ve heard that Ross developed a tight bond with everyone involved in the film, including cast. Unless the deal making completely implodes, we expect to see Ross behind the camera when the sequel gets underway.
I’m so bored!!! All this noise for lousy films made by really smart people. What a drag.
Yes, the movie has been a huge hit, but it’s hard not to ignore how almost every review singled out the directing as the weakest part.
Yikes, I meant hard to ignore. I need a nap.
To Behind the Camera –
Directors actually look through the camera quite a bit. Especially on a big film. So that picture is a fairly accurate representation of what Ross does.
Thank you Nikki! I’ve been saying those reports yesterday smelled of something funny, especially since everything Gary has ever said indicated he was “committed” to Catching Fire. It would make no sense to switch now, he helped bring Lionsgate their biggest film ever, why fix what isn’t broke?
Besides he had a hand in ever major casting decision, he knows how to cast these roles and many of the actors came on board because of his involvement with the project (as well as the source material). Woody Harrelson (Haymitch), Donald Sutherland (President Snow) and Jennifer Lawrence to name just 3.
The majority of the fans want him back, he treated this book with respect and made one of the best book to film adaptions we’ve ever seen. We just hope he stays on for the full ride and gives this series “one vision”.
If this film was faithful to the book, they I am really going to pass on reading them.
Dear Garry Ross, PLEASE if you direct, PLEASE DON’T DO THAT SHAKY CAM CRAP! It’s stupid and despite how “artistic” you claim to be. Please invest in a tripo or steady cam this time. And please try using other regular lenses instead of a MACRO lense every time. We don’t need to see the wrinkles and pores of every character. We want to actually see the character in their entirety. Please go back to good ol’ classic filmmaking so we as an audience can enjoy and understand what we’re seeing and not have to leave the theater to go throw up. Thank you.
Gary is an overrated writer and a very underwhelming director. It was a bad choice that worked out but not one Lonsgate needs to repeat. Sorry Gary, your spin and politics are catching up to you mean old man.
THE HUNGER GAMES was not a hit because of Gary Ross! Please, please, use whatever you have to to get rid of him as director! The shaky camera work, the quick cuts…all were disastrous visually and story-wise! This movie was probably going to be a hit no matter what, based upon the popularity of the book, the great casting and the brilliant marketing campaign. If he’s being a pig in the negotiations ( he was braying on NPR a few weeks ago about holding out on his next deal), call his bluff! Or find another way! Get rid of him! Please!
I dunno why all these shaky cam complaints – it’s a good way to translate the first person POV from the book.
I thought Gary Ross did a good job on the movie (some pacing issues, but now I’m just nitpicking) and would love to see him continue with his vision to the end. Seeing how involved he’s been with the development of the sequel, it would be weird to just cut all ties and quit. Everything’s possible I guess, but hopefully he’ll stay on.
Because, dear DK, the shaky-cam apparently was looked at only on video monitors, and not on the big screen. Please believe me when I tell you when shaky-cam is done that way, it will nauseate the theater audience.
(OTOH, because it looks okay on video monitors — the BD and DVD crowd won’t notice as much.)
A probably better way to do the shaky-cam thing is to make it more like the “48 Hours” style of shooting pioneered by a news guy working for CBS by the name of Darrell Barton. The idea is not what the first person sees, or the audience sees, but what the *camera* sees.
nighty nite, all.
Hearing rumors that a certain director famous for his comic book films is in talks to direct ‘Catching Fire.’ Lionsgate loves him, he’s become available, and he’s got a great relationship (working and persona) with Lawrence already. As long as the money is right…
No need to rehire Gary Ross and spend the extra money. Lionsgate/Summit will save by bringing in someone new and actually make a GOOD movie. Wouldn’t be surprised if the Summit guys try and implement this.