For those of you who don’t know, March 23rd sees the release of the first film based on Suzanne Collins’ epic trilogy, THE HUNGER GAMES. The books have legions of fans worldwide (including me) and could well be the next big tween book to make the transition into a massive movie franchise event.

The first film hasn’t even been released yet and Lionsgate already have the sequel in pre-production. CATCHING FIRE will be the next chapter in the series and concerns the fallout from events in the first movie in the totalitarian state that is Panem. Clearly Lionsgate have a good feeling about the first movie as they have retained the services of director Gary Ross (PLEASANTVILLE) for the sequel. The screenwriter will be award winning scribe Simon Beaufoy (SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE, THE FULL MONTY) so not exactly a lightweight in the writing department.

The release date of CATCHING FIRE is currently November 2013. If THE HUNGER GAMES makes billions worldwide expect this to be brought forward.

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