Corona | Coming Attractions

Lionsgate announced the start of filming of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire which kicked off today. Filming is slated to take place in and around Atlanta, Georgia, before moving to the island of Hawaii in a few months time. The studio anticipates that principal photography for the movie will be done by the end of the year.

"We are so excited to be embarking on this adventure with Francis Lawrence, who has already exhibited immense creative vision and resourcefulness in casting the film and planning its look and feel," said Eric Feig, the president of production for Lionsgate. "The stakes are raised in every way in this second story, and we are thrilled to get the production underway in these perfect locations, with our excellent returning cast and some world class actors in new roles."

The studio is also running a contest where 12 lucky fans will win the opportunity to fly to the set of Catching Fire and watch filming. Starting today and running through October 12, fans need to upload a thirty-second video asking a member of the cast a question. Interested contestants can learn more about the contest and rules by visiting the website www.catchingfiresweeps.com.

E. Robert Mitchell will play the role fo Chaff, the winner of the 45th Hunger Games. Chaff's victory cost him a hand, which he refused to replace with a prosthetic. When he is drafted to participate in the Quarter Quell for the 75th Hunger Games, Chaff enters the competition with a physical disadvantage.

Philip Seymour Hoffman has been cast in the important role of Plutarch Heavensbee, the Head Gamesmaker. Throughout Catching Fire and into Mockingjay he becomes an increasingly important character.

Sucker Punch co-star Jena Malone is now in serious talks to play the part of Johanna Mason, an adversary of Katniss in Catching Fire. The character is slated to reappear as well in Mockingjay, the third movie.

Lionsgate has made a minor but important alteration to the title of Catching Fire: it's added The Hunger Games in front of it. Almost certainly the reason to rename the sequel to The Hunger Games: Catching Fire stems from the brand recognition of the first film in the franchise (which has earned nearly $400 million domestically since it's release.)

Gary Ross will not return to The Hunger Games movie franchise and direct the follow-up film Catching Fire. The director issued the following statement yesterday:

"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.

"I loved making The Hunger Games – it was the happiest experience of my professional life. Lionsgate was supportive of me in a manner that few directors ever experience in a franchise: they empowered me to make the film I wanted to make and backed the movie in a way that requires no explanation beyond the remarkable results. And 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.

"I also cannot say enough about the people I worked with: Producer Nina Jacobson, a great collaborator and a true friend; the brilliant Suzanne Collins, who entrusted us with her most amazing and important story; the gifted and remarkable Jennifer Lawrence whose performance exceeded my wildest expectations, and the rest of the incredible cast, whom I am proud to call my friends.

"To the fans I want to say thank you for your support your faith, your enthusiasm and your trust. Hard as this may be to understand I am trying to keep that trust with you. Thank you all. It’s been a wonderful experience."

Lionsgate, the film studio that released The Hunger Games, also issued their own statement:

"We’re very sorry that Gary Ross has chosen not to direct Catching Fire. We were really looking forward to making the movie with him. He did an incredible job on the first film and we are grateful for his work. 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."

A deal has been struck. Slumdog Millionaire screenwriter Simon Beaufoy has been hired to adapt Catching Fire, the second of the Hunger Games books, into a script. He's already hard at work with director Gary Ross.

A story is breaking that the studio is in discussions to have screenwriter Simon Beaufoy (The Full Monty) write the script for Catching Fire, the follow-up book to The Hunger Games. Also mentioned is that the director of the Hunger Games movie, namely Gary Ross, is all but officially announced to direct the Catching Fire movie.