Comments on: Exclusive: Gary Ross Leaves ‘The Hunger Games’ Franchise, Won’t Direct ‘Catching Fire’ Sequel

By: I like this Series a lot

I like this Series a lot — Sun, 22 May 2016 04:12:56 +0000

Lionsgate isn't going to go after a big name director. I'm positive Gary Ross saw the writing on the wall in regards to any kind've raise and probably figured Liosngate was going to be more hands on with Catching Fire.

They aren't going to pay the millions up millions that go with a popular name filmmaker – someone who could possibly strongarm the film into being THEIR film & not a sequel – so I'd say Bryan Singer, Alfonso Cuaron and those guys are out. Besides – they're all busy with their respective projects and won't be available until Mockingjay most likely.

I'd hypothesize Liosngate will go after someone similar to Gary Ross. A proven solid filmmaker who doesn't allow any flourishes to get in the way of the narative. A filmmaker with a real sense of storytelling and character above all else.

I'd place my vote behind GAVIN O'CONNOR. Like Ross, he's a proven solid filmmaker – was I the only one who went gaga for Warrior- who can pull out great performances and tone out of a story.

By: BoyOnFire

BoyOnFire — Sun, 22 May 2016 04:12:56 +0000

Michael Bay, anyone? <—— sarcasm

By: lizzie

lizzie — Sun, 22 May 2016 04:12:56 +0000

Nope. I seriously think this is a fake article. Gary loves the series, the cast, and the project too much to leave. He's the one who read the books and then sat down to make it happen with the producer. I really doubt that after all that work he'd just give up like that and especially after all the success. Don't believe articles like this until you get an OFFICIAL word from Gary himself or Lionsgate. I truly believe this is all just one big fat lie.

By: Jd

Jd — Sun, 22 May 2016 04:12:56 +0000

This is the best news ever!!!! Maybe this time they can afford a tripod for the camera and I won't get nauseated from the experience iPod watching the film. From now on I will notice what films Gary Ross directs and avoid them like the plague.

By: RC

RC — Sun, 22 May 2016 04:12:56 +0000

aww…i just hope the next director will be good…it will be a whole lot different feel for Catching Fire then…yes i don't like the shaky cam but if the next movie will be awful then i will still prefer Gary Ross i still think he did a good job on the hunger games…

By: Zine

Zine — Sun, 22 May 2016 04:12:56 +0000

Noooooo-oooooooooo-oooooooo

By: Kim

Kim — Sun, 22 May 2016 04:12:56 +0000

Bummer. I liked "Hunger Games." I thought Ross got the idea of it. I am now kinda' bummed. I really would hate for this to become "Twilight" -esque.

By: 88

88 — Sun, 22 May 2016 04:12:56 +0000

Nice exclusive! Would that Gary Ross mystery project happen to be OUTBACK with Carey Mulligan?

By: kitcon

kitcon — Sun, 22 May 2016 04:12:56 +0000

They can find someone better suited to the material. And good riddance to the shaky cam.

By: Dara

Dara — Sun, 22 May 2016 04:12:56 +0000

Is this super reliable information? It just doesn't make sense. Gary Ross talked so excitedly about filming Catching Fire, saying he had so many ideas about it and everything. He even said in several interviews that he was committed to it….for this article to say that he just wanted to do something different…I don't know…it just sounds inconsistent. And super sudden, at that. Am I naive to wait for a more familiar source to confirm this information, before I decide to believe it?

By: TH

TH — Sun, 22 May 2016 04:12:56 +0000

Although I think he did an admirable job, I'm honestly not too concerned about this. The Harry Potter franchise changed directors numerous times.

By: Jen

Jen — Sun, 22 May 2016 04:12:56 +0000

This article doesn't seem very reliable… This doesn't sound believable. I truly hope it's fake, because I would die if he doesn't direct Catching Fire! He did such a great job with The Hunger Games </3

By: Amanda

Amanda — Sun, 22 May 2016 04:12:56 +0000

I really, really hope this is untrue. Although I've seen several articles, I don't think there could be a better director than Gary. He did such a great job with this one and I don't want it to disintegrate into a "Twilight" type movie franchise..

By: K

Sun, 22 May 2016 04:12:56 +0000

It'd be nice if the article revealed a source. How valid is this?

By: huxtableJr

huxtableJr — Sun, 22 May 2016 04:12:56 +0000

GET SPIKE LEE ON THIS JOINT!!!

By: Sarah

Sarah — Sun, 22 May 2016 04:12:56 +0000

This is a crap. I don't believe it for a second.

By: Wallace

Wallace — Sun, 22 May 2016 04:12:56 +0000

Nicholas winding refn or steven soderbergh

By: Katy

Katy — Sun, 22 May 2016 04:12:56 +0000

The article is correct, this is the umpteenth article I seen saying this. Like this one http://movies.ign.com/articles/122/1222501p1.html?utm_campaign=ign+main+twitter&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social#.T38WpBv6Xzo.twitter
Doesn't matter too much, I felt the director was pretty damn shoddy in just film design alone for this (I won't even go into the adaptation pieces). I'd like to see someone else take a crack at this.

By: Eleo

Eleo — Sun, 22 May 2016 04:12:56 +0000

Gary Ross's casting choices were so perfect. Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Elizabeth Banks… that man knew what he was doing. Now God knows who will be chosen to play Finnick, probably the most important casting choice in the whole series… RIP Hunger Games Franchise. RIP. :'(

By: Chase

Chase — Sun, 22 May 2016 04:12:56 +0000

At least this guarantees an end to the shaky camera effect for this franchise.

By: Rachael

Rachael — Sun, 22 May 2016 04:12:55 +0000

Hmmmm â¦ the more I think and hear about this, the more fishy it seems. The statement in this article about Gary simply "not having the desire" to stick with the franchise makes ZERO sense. ZERO. We KNOW from EVERY interview heâs done that he was FULLY planning on doing Catching Fire and he fought hard to direct this franchise from the beginning. We also know that he even promised his cast that he was in it for the long haul. So itâs clear that the reason given in this article is absolutely NOT true.

Now, if this is all about money, I get it, BUT â¦ it still doesnât totally add up. Reason being â We all now know that this thing is a JUGGERNAUT financially. I just saw a report that itâs even still beating Titanic 3D, which opened Weds, at the box office. If this was ALL about money, it makes zero sense that they would not be able to come to a compromise on numbers. I mean come ON. Itâs not THAT difficult if itâs just a numbers game, given the INSANE amount of money this is bringing in for Lionsgate.

What I worry about is the reports I hear of the Summit brass taking over this division of the studio, or however this all works. Are they trying to change directions in some respects or forcing creative decisions on Gary that he doesnât agree with?? It could be possible. If anything, thatâs what makes the most sense to me by FAR. But even if thatâs the case, could these Summit people really be THAT frakking stupid?? Really?? Even if they donât give a crap about anything but money, donât they understand that losing Gary puts the ENTIRE project at risk?? From schedule to actors to everything?? They could SO easily lose Woody and lord only knows who else. I heard that it's only the main three cast members that are actually under contract, but I'm not sure if that's true. Either way I just â¦ donât get it. It doesnât add up, at ALL. Something strange and VERY FISHY is afoot. And sadly I think weâll be wondering about this all weekend at the very least.

By: ccbaxter

ccbaxter — Sun, 22 May 2016 04:12:55 +0000

Thank goodness he's gone. Maybe the next director will use a frickin' tripod!

By: artvandelay

artvandelay — Sun, 22 May 2016 04:12:55 +0000

Have any of you came to the realization that only the three stars signed on for Catching Fire? A lot of big time name actors who were in The Hunger Games signed on because they worked or wanted to work with Gary Ross. Listen to interviews with Woody H., Donald, S., E. Banks, and/or S. Tucci and you will see their admiration is with his story telling and directing. I seriously doubt that any of the four noted above, not including L. Kravitz, will sign on for Catching Fire if Gary Ross isn't involved and they were all pivotal in their roles. This would be awful.

By: FranklynRules

FranklynRules — Sun, 22 May 2016 04:12:55 +0000

Switching directors for franchise, ala Harry Potter or Twilight, is par for the course. Not sure why this is surprising.

By: Oogle monster

Oogle monster — Sun, 22 May 2016 04:12:55 +0000

I second the Spike Lee and Gavin O'Connor comment. It would be nice to see a woman direct the next film… maybe Patti Jenkins? She has an eye for the gritty. I was just watching Ross on Charlie Rose the other day and he seemed only interested in the first book, so this makes sense. Oh well, I'm sure a million and one other filmmakers are lining up to replace him.