The Hunger Games continued to roll at the multiplexes earning $253 million at the domestic box office since its March 23 opening. Despite the huge box office biz, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that Lionsgate and director Gary Ross remained in “tough” negotiations over his contract to direct the sequel, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.
In addition to directing, Ross co-wrote the script with Billy Ray and novelist Suzanne Collins the adaptation of Collins' near future tale about children who fight each other to the death on TV and sixteen-year-old Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) who enters the games in order to protect her sister.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Ross’ paycheck was a modest $3 million with a five percent backend for his work on The Hunger Games and he’s requested a significant raise to helm the sequel and adapt Simon Beaufoy’s script.
Lionsgate recently scheduled The Hunger Games: Catching Fire for November 2013; meaning that a decision has to be made shortly.
Jennifer Lawrence’s tight work schedule due to her commitment to the X-Men: First Class sequel also added to the sense of urgency over signing Ross or bringing a new director on-board.
Hunger Games fans, are you hopeful Gary Ross returns to direct?