Indiewire.com reports that director Gary Ross is leaving THE HUNGER GAMES franchise and will not take part in the upcoming sequel 'Catching Fire' when production begins this fall. According to the report, Ross formally gave Lionsgate and Summit studios his notice earlier this week.
Recent trade reports have rumored that the director was having financial disputes with the studios, however sources now reveal that Ross simply has no interest in spending the next few years of his life working on the same story. The director's film credits include the satire 'Pleasantville' and the racing drama 'Seabiscuit'.
The search for a replacement director for the highly anticipated 'Catching Fire' will now begin. Shooting on the film is expected to kick-off this fall for a November 22, 2013 release.
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