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Francis Lawrence, 'Catching Fire': Lionsgate Settles On 'I Am Legend' Director For 'Hunger Games' Sequel

And The 'Hunger Games' Sequel Director Is ...
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Lionsgate, the studio behind the "Hunger Games" film franchise, has found its man. THR reports that the studio has settled on Francis Lawrence as the director for the second film in the series, "Catching Fire."

Lawrence has not officially signed on, but sources said the studio was prepared to make an offer late Thursday evening. "Catching Fire" is, of course, based on the Suzanne Collins novel by the same name.

The "I Am Legend" and "Water for Elephants" director beat out Bennett Miller ("Moneyball"), who was reportedly Lionsgate's second choice for the hotly anticipated sequel. Though Deadline.com guessed that Miller would get the job, Lawrence proved the more attractive candidate. David Cronenberg and Alfonso Cuaron were also on the shortlist, but didn't make the final cut.

Miller's desire to make "Foxcatcher," a passion project of sorts for the director, may have been the deciding factor. "Foxcatcher" may begin production in December, which would have put him in a bit of a pinch as "Catching Fire" is set to start filming in the fall. Gary Ross, the director of "Hunger Games," cited the tight production schedule as one of his reasons for withdrawing from the sequel.

For more on the process, including other directors who were considered, head over to THR.

PHOTOS: 10 Directors Who Could Have Directed "Catching Fire"

Who Should Direct 'Catching Fire'?
Michael Bay(01 of10)
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Why He Should Do It: No one does big action better than Michael Bay (true), and "Catching Fire" is filled with big action.Why He Shouldn't Do It: He'll have Jennifer Lawrence running around in a string bikini and hire Victoria's Secret angels as the new Tributes. (credit:Getty)
Kathryn Bigelow(02 of10)
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Why She Should Do It: Forget gender: Kathryn Bigelow is one of the best action directors in Hollywood. She could bring a gritty realism to "Catching Fire" that even Gary Ross lacked in "The Hunger Games." One question: can she do PG-13?Why She Shouldn't Do It: She's too busy doing real movies, like that one about killing Osama Bin Laden. (credit:Getty)
Daniel Espinosa(03 of10)
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Why He Should Do It: Real talk: "Safe House" might have been the best pure action movie to come out in five years.Why He Shouldn't Do It: Espinosa's got the frenetic shaky-cam thing down cold, but can he actually do anything with characters? (credit:Getty)
Paul Greengrass(04 of10)
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Why He Should Do It: Speaking of shaky-cam! Paul Greengrass invented that thing! Let him get out there in the arena with his handheld camera and bring the motion-sickness pills.Why He Shouldn't Do It: Everyone loves the Jason Bourne movies, but aren't they kinda a little boring? (credit:Getty)
Jack Bender(05 of10)
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Why He Should Do It: From Beetee -- who is basically described as Ben Linus -- to Finnick and Johanna, "Catching Fire" plays out like an extended episode of "Lost." Who better then but frequent "Lost" director Jack Bender to take the reins on this one?Why He Shouldn't Do It: Bender isn't a big name, and he's never helmed something as large as "Catching Fire." He does look like Greengrass, though. (credit:Getty)
David Yates(06 of10)
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Why He Should Do It: David Yates directed the final four Harry Potter films with a yeoman's effort, and his steady hand would probably work well in calming the inevitable nerves of everyone involved in "Catching Fire."Why He Shouldn't Do It: Love "The Hunger Games" and all, but it's no "Harry Potter." Can you drive a Toyota after driving a Bentley? (Get it, because he's British!) (credit:Getty)
Gavin O'Connor(07 of10)
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Why He Should Do It: Gavin O'Connor brought great emotion to "Warrior," a tricky move since the film was about ultimate fighting. He could do the same for "Catching Fire," ratcheting up the emotion where Ross did not.Why He Shouldn't Do It: Like Bender, he's never been involved in something this big. Unlike Bender, he doesn't have the readily visible action chops. (credit:Getty)
Doug Liman(08 of10)
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Why He Should Do It: Because Doug Liman is kinda crazy and awesome and will have Lionsgate executives pulling their hair out.Why He Shouldn't Do It: Because Doug Liman is kinda crazy and awesome and will have Lionsgate executives pulling their hair out. (credit:Getty)
David Fincher(09 of10)
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Why He Should Do It: David Fincher already brought one of the strongest female heroines of the last decade to the big screen with "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo," so why not another?Why He Shouldn't Do It: Would Fincher's notoriously finicky style translate to a massive action spectacle? "Take 105, Jennifer!" (credit:Getty)
Terrence Malick(10 of10)
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Why He Should Do It: With its lush nature shots and moments of silence, "The Hunger Games" looked like a Terrence Malick movie. Let's get him on board for part two!Why He Shouldn't Do It: Lionsgate wants this thing out in November of 2013, not 2023.

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