Directors battle for Hunger Games sequel NEWS
Water for Elephants director Francis Lawrence and Moneyball director Bennett Miller tipped as the two most likely to succeed Gary Ross for Hunger Games sequel, Catching Fire.
After Gary Ross's walk from the sequel Catching Fire competition has been hot to score what is Hollywood's hottest directing job.
Last week Ross bowed out of the sequel due to time restrictions.
In a statement, The Hunger Games director said: '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.'
Lionsgate film distribution said they were 'very sorry' Ross has chosen not to direct the film.
Full Monty screenwriter Simon Beaufoy has been drafted in to work on the Catching Fire script after The Hunger Games' post-production proved to arduous for Ross to work on with Collins.
According to a report in Deadline, Lionsgate have narrowed down the job to Miller and Lawrence as the two leading contenders.
Lionsgate want the film in cinemas by November 2013 while the hype from Hunger Games is still high. Miller is currently working towards completing another film Foxcatcher first so it is a possibility that may rule him out.
Lawrence has previously proven his post-apocalyptic sci-fi directing talent with 2007's I Am Legend, starring Will Smith.
Other names said to be competing for the job include Spanish director Juan Antonio Bayona (The Orphanage) and Joe Cornish whose directorial debut was Attack the Block.
The Hunger Games tells of a dystopian future where young people are chosen each year to participate in a broadcasted 'game' where the opponents fight to the death.
Based on the book of the same name, The Hunger Games' worldwide box office currently stands at $533.6m.
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