In what seemed like a surprise to Lionsgate, Gary Ross has decided that one film in the installment of Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games series was enough for him. In a statement yesterday, he said that he will not be continuing with the franchise and will not direct Catching Fire. Although they were both critically acclaimed, his previous films Seabiscuit and Pleasantville were not the box office monsters The Hunger Games was and still is, so it seems like an interesting choice to not want to ride that wave with another film. Ross describes his reasons by saying, "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."
We applaud him for making the decision if he made it because he believes that he wouldn't have the time or ability to make the next one just as good as I think we can all thank anyone who doesn't make a movie just for the sake of making it, but actually cares about the quality of it. Many of the most successful book series adaptations have had different directors, ex. Twilight, Harry Potter, but I kind of liked the idea of having some consistency in style and tone of these films. What do you guys think? Did you like his version? Do you think it will hurt the franchise without him?
What a strange move from a man with a strange career. Wonder what made him jump ship in what would be two more guaranteed big hits?
Wow. This is a bit crazy considering this dude could have made some serious cash. I see this as good news because I really thought the direction was lacking.
Crazy.
Well, I didn't think the first film was as good as it could have been, so perhaps this is for the best.
I look forward to less shaky cam and incomprehensible action scenes, though, I thought he did a pretty good job overall.
I really hope they get somebody who is willing to get involved with the project and not just see it as a cashcow, because even though it was flawed I really liked the first movie.
I heard Uwe Boll is looking for a job
If I had thought he brought any weight to the movies I would be sad, but I think they need someone else
More importantly, can they now afford to buy the DP a tripod or steadycam rig?
T___T
Wow figured he would of gone at it again it would of been guaranteed money but if he doesn't feel like he could make it good than good for him.
@AlKusanagi said:
Haha, holy shit. Yes.
I kinda feel like, "...simply don’t have the time I need to write and prep the movie...", is Hollywood speak for, "This book is not gonna make a good movie, and I don't wanna be blamed and waste the time."
I'm reading Catching Fire now, and it's (the first 2/3rds at least) painfully slow. Consisting mostly of people sitting and talking and Katniss being annoyingly indecisive about stuff. There's even the potential for action a few times, but it always gets diverted. Not really the blockbuster potential of the first book.
Hope I'm wrong!
I'm hoping for a switch for the better but they are turning around the next one so quickly that I wonder if even a great director has time to get acclimated. That being said I think one Matthew Rorie's twitter suggestion of Kathryn Bigelow is a really good one.
@Sandor said:
Word for word.
Enjoyed the film, regardless.
I don't think it'll make much of a difference. Films like this are hardly auteur pieces, where the director puts his stamp on everything. The producers are the real ones dictating the direction of how these films look, so I expect few changes.
seems odd because of the bank he would be garuanteed on it but if i remember right the tone of the second one was very different from the first so maybe a different tone from the director won't be so bad
@ddensel said:
You'd be surprised. Just take a look at the stark change in style and tone that occurred in the third Harry Potter movie, and then again in the fourth. While production design and editing can count for a lot, so too does the role of the director.
A bunch of names that are floating around include Alejandro Gonzalez, David Cronenberg (that would be insane,) and Alfonso Cuaron.
I would say that Cuaron is a great choice for director.