'Water For Elephants’ director Francis Lawrence takes over director’s chair on 'Catching Fire'

Producers of "The Hunger Games" were busy looking for a suitable director for the movie's sequel, “Catching Fire”, since Gary Ross had decided not to return for the directing job. The first movie became a smashing hit on Box Office, making around $212 million during first week of release.

According to neontommy.com, Lionsgate has said that Francis Lawrence will be directing the sequel. Other candidates for the hot seat were Bennett Miller, director of “Moneyball” starring Brad Pitt, “Let The Right One In” and "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy’s" director Tomas Alfredson, "Jane Eyre’s" Cary Fukunaga and Duncan Jones, who directed movies like "Source Code" and "Moon".

Lawrence, the Australian film director, first got fame as a music video director, receiving a Grammy for his work on the video of Lady Gaga’s song, “Bad Romance". He has directed three other movies, which include "Constantine", "I Am Legend" and "Water For Elephants".

Ross has worked on a script with writer Simon Beaufoy. Only time will tell whether Francis Lawrence will collaborate with Beaufoy or find another writer for the movie. Lionsgate’s insistence on November 2013 release date does not give Lawrence much time to plan. They face more of a ticking clock scenario, as shooting for "Catching Fire" needs to be done by the end of December so that the star of the movie, Jennifer Lawrence, can get time to shoot the sequel to "X- Men: First Class".

Judging from Lawrence's works in music videos and his distinctive movies, it seems like he is the perfect man for the job. He has an eye for good images and believes in remarkable aesthetics. He can make "Catching Fire" an improvement on "The Hunger Games" by developing the love triangle between Katniss, Peeta and Gale.