Dayo Okeniyi & Amandla Stenberg talk "Hunger Games" at Collectormania

This past weekend, Dayo Okeniyi and Amandla Stenberg were at Collectormania in the UK. Red Carpet TV News got to talk to them while they were there about fan support, the success of the film, getting their role, Gary Ross, and more.

Why Did Gary Ross Leave?

Why did Gary Ross leave Catching Fire? It wasn't because of money.

Fox’s January date led the bond company on Catching Fire to insist that Lionsgate commit to finish filming by Dec. 20, backing the studio into a production schedule with an August start date that Ross felt he could not accommodate. (Fox’s deal with Lawrence predates her contract for Hunger Games, putting X-Men in a priority position.)
According to knowledgeable sources, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group co-chair Rob Friedman pressed Fox to set a later start date for the X-Men movie, even offering allurements such as a chance to handle some of the overseas distribution on Catching Fire.

It was this short time frame that made Gary leave the movie.

 Ross, who has had Oscar nominations three times for screenplay (Big, Dave andSeabiscuit), felt that he had to focus on the script for at least two months, leaving him only six to eight weeks to prepare for shooting. Sources also say he feels the second novel is the most challenging in the trilogy to make into a compelling film. Novelist Suzanne Collins, who shares writing credit on The Hunger Games with Ross and Billy Ray, is said to want a screen version that is very faithful to her book.Though the key actors are locked into the Catching Fire sequel, Lions Gate didn’t kick off a negotiation with Ross for a second film until about three weeks before the first one opened on March 23.

So, Gary wanted to do the movie, but he didn't like the short time frame.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

Can "Hunger Games" Survive Without Gary Ross?

What could Gary Ross' departure mean for the movies? Hitfix talked about weather or not Gary Ross was invested in the series.

 To be fair, the statement that Ross released seems to me to be incredibly warm and points out how important Nina Jacobson was as producer, and how much he enjoyed the experience on the film, and he talks about having a great deal of freedom on it.  And I buy that.  That film does not feel like it was stamped out of a cookie cutter mold.  There are choices he made that I think almost no one else would have done the same way.  Not better.  Not worse.  Just different from choices any typical pick for the film might have been.  Sometimes it’s great to bring in someone who isn’t the immediate choice.  Of course, with your release date coming a year from November, and with the expectations that are going to rest on the second film, that’s a pressure cooker.

Gary loves The Hunger Games but the production schedule wasn't right for him. So what happens now?

But on this one, it’s the timing and the circumstance that is tough for whoever follows Ross.  This story has played out in a semi-public way, with a fair amount of contradictory reporting going on in various places, some people claiming things were happening, other people disputing it.  Typical negotiation in public, and I think the majority of the film’s fans seem to want Ross to return.  There’s some anxiety already expressing itself, and there’s a potential fan-trum brewing.
It’s up to Lionsgate/Summit to figure this out and make the right next move.  They’ve got to land the right person.  They’ve got to bring someone in who can hit the ground running, who has relationships already in place that might serve them well here.  Since Simon Beaufoy is writing the script, why not bring on Danny Boyle?  He’s a great visual storyteller, an impressive stylist, and a bit of a chameleon.  He’s good with actors, and he’s certainly got more than enough pedigree to keep fans calm.

Source: Hitfix

Jackie Emerson on Gary Ross' Departure

Jackie Emerson talked about her reaction to Gary Ross leaving the franchise.

“I just heard about it today, and I am so upset! I’m just so sad,” she admitted at at Nylon Magazine’s Anniversary party at Smashbox Studios in Los Angeles on Tuesday night. ”He’s such a talented director, and he really helped us connect with our characters in ways that I never have before. He had a method for working with everybody.”
The actress added, “I mean for me, he helped me to get inside my head, and gave me an inner monologue. As I was looking around, instead of telling me ‘Ok, look right, look left,’ he really stressed, ‘You see this backpack, are you going to go for it?’ He really helps you to have that thought process. The whole thing about acting is you need people to see that thought process.”

Source: Celebuzz

Rections from Alexander, Dayo, and Jackie on Gary Ross

Dayo Okeniyi (Thresh), Alexander Ludwig (Cato), and Jackie Emerson (Foxface) shared their reactions to Gary Ross leaving Catching Fire.

“One thing about Gary is, he can do everyone’s job better than you can,” Alexander Ludwig, who played Katniss’ archenemy Cato, told us at Nylon magazine’s 13th anniversary party at Smashbox Studios in L.A. “It’s an honor working with such a talented director. He is an unbelievable guy and an actor’s director, which is amazing…Nobody could really do what Gary did. I honestly believe that 100 percent.”
We actually broke the news to Jacqueline Emerson, aka Fox Face. “That makes me so sad,” she said. “I’m sorry, I can’t move on yet. I’m still in mourning. I don’t know that anyone else could bring it to life the way that he did.”
Dayo Okeniyi(Thresh) said, “I’m heartbroken. He was the perfect person for me for the first movie, because he has this great ability to do the indie thing with the blockbuster thing and I think everybody wants that combination.” Okeniyi added that he hopes “somehow in the cosmos it works out [that Ross] can do the second movie.”

It sounds like the news really surprised everyone!

Source: E!

Dayo Okeniyi on Gary Ross' Departure

Dayo Okeniyi is just as shocked about Gary's decision to leave the movie. Dayo talked about his reaction and who he thinks should direct Catching Fire.

Dayo, … told us that it will be nearly impossible to replace Ross as a director: “Honestly, I really think he’s the only person who can come back and do the second film. So I’m hoping it’s one of those things where he’s like, ‘I’m not doing it,’ then is like, ‘No! I am doing it!’ Because it would be incredibly terrible for all of this to not work out. But this is the business, and it happens. Hopefully, they can get someone else who is as creative. There are very few Gary Ross’.”
With that in mind, who else could Dayo see directing CF?
“Honestly, it really is only Gary. But if I had to, maybe like a David Fincher (Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, The Social Network). He would be ridiculous. His vision is completely different, so he would do a crazy job. Or maybe Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan).”

What do you think of Dayo's choices for director? I would like to see David Fincher do the movie!

Source: Celebuzz

My Reaction To Gary Ross Not Directing Catching Fire

I loved the Hunger Games movie, as I'm sure many of you did. With the announcement that Gary Ross will not be directing Catching Fire, many people think that this will ruin the next movies. But I'm not one of them.

Sure, he did an amazing job with his vision of the movie, staying true to the books, and it seemed like the cast adored him.  The actors were amazing in their roles but I wanted more from it. Maybe I had my hopes up too high. Not to say I didn't love it, it is my favorite movie, and it was entertaining (which most movies aren't too me because I get bored really easily.) I am sad to see him leave but I don't think that the rest of the series won't be any less successful.

So, who do I think should be the director?

In a dream world, I would love to see James Cameron (Titanic, Avatar) direct the movie. He has a lot of talent in the action type of movies and with the romantic parts, which are the two biggest components of the movie. I love all of his movies that he has directed. I would also love to see John Lyde (Mainstay Productions) direct the film. He is already a huge fan of the books and has done lots of films on YouTube that depict the series amazingly.

What do you think? Who should direct the next movie?

Josh Hutcherson Couldn't Imagine Catching Fire Without Ross

Josh Hutcherson told the media today more about his thoughts on Gary Ross and Catching Fire. He expanded his thought about Gary being the only person that could direct the second one.

“There is not much doubt in my mind he’ll be doing it. I think so. I don’t think there’s a chance he won’t,” Hutcherson told us. The actor, who plays Peeta, added: “He killed the first one, absolutely knocked it out of the park. Everyone loved him. Myself, Jennifer and the others loved him. I couldn’t imagine making another movie without him, so that’s what I have to say about that…” [smiles].

Source: Comingsoon.net

Official: Gary Ross Is NOT Directing Catching Fire

Gary Ross released a statement last night that said that he will not be directing Catching Fire.

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.
I loved making The Hunger Games – it was the happiest experience of my professional life. Lionsgate was supportive of me in a manner that few directors ever experience in a franchise: they empowered me to make the film I wanted to make and backed the movie in a way that requires no explanation beyond the remarkable results. And contrary to what has been reported, negotiations with Lionsgate have not been problematic. They have also been very understanding of me through this difficult decision.
I also cannot say enough about the people I worked with: Producer Nina Jacobson, a great collaborator and a true friend; the brilliant Suzanne Collins, who entrusted us with her most amazing and important story; the gifted and remarkable Jennifer Lawrence whose performance exceeded my wildest expectations, and the rest of the incredible cast, whom I am proud to call my friends.
To the fans I want to say thank you for your support your faith, your enthusiasm and your trust. Hard as this may be to understand I am trying to keep that trust with you. Thank you all. It’s been a wonderful experience.

Lionsgate has also released a statement.

We’re very sorry that Gary Ross has chosen not to direct Catching Fire. We were really looking forward to making the movie with him. He did an incredible job on the first film and we are grateful for his work. This will not be the end of our relationship, as we consider Ross to be part of the Lionsgate family and look forward to working with him in the future. 

Source: Deadline

Josh Hutcherson Wants Gary Ross On Catching Fire

Gary Ross has tons of support in decision to return to Catching Fire. Josh Hutcherson talked about who he thought should direct the sequel.

“I think Gary’s the man. Gary is in my mind is the only one that could ever direct the second one. That’s what I’m sticking to.”

His next movie is Detention, directed by Joesph Kahn, and does have some similarities between Hunger Games. He talked about the differences if he was to direct the movie.

 “I think it would be a very different movie than the first movie if Joseph directed the second Hunger Games,” he said. “It would be crazy.”

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

Gary Ross To Talk Today about Catching Fire

After all the craziness surrounding Gary's return to the movie, we have reports that Gary and Lionsgate are talking today and that the final decision will be this week.

Contrary to previous media reports, Ross—who returned from a vacation in Italy on Friday—has not exited the booming franchise. But he is not yet signed to return for the second installment,Catching Fire, and sources say the filmmaker is concerned about an ambitious production schedule that would require shooting to begin in August so that star Jennifer Lawrence can complete her work before she is due to start filming a sequel to Fox’s X-Men: First Class in January.
THR reported last week that Fox has informed studios and talent agencies of its planned start date for the Matthew Vaughn-directed X-Men movie. Since Fox’s deal with Lawrence predates her contract for Hunger Games, X-Men is in a priority position. With the script for the second Hunger Games not yet locked, that means all preparations for a sequel would have to be done in four months—a tough schedule to meet.
Sources describe the negotiations between Ross and Lionsgate as delicate. In addition to his concerns about the schedule, THR reported on Wednesday that the filmmaker would like a raise from the $3 million (and 5 percent of backend) that he received for the first film, which has passed $450 million in worldwide box office and received an 85 percent “fresh” rating from critics on Rottentomatoes.com. Ross, an accomplished screenwriter and director (Pleasantville, Seabiscuit) has several other projects in development and could choose to pursue any of them.
One option for Lionsgate is that it could attempt to “buy” more time for Ross, essentially paying Fox (or horsetrading in other ways) to bump its production schedule to accomodate the Hunger Games shoot. Or Lionsgate could move on and hire another filmmaker to take on the sequel.

What do you think about Gary's possible return?

Source: Hollywood Reporter

Gary Ross Is Boss

After all the crazy news about weather or not Gary Ross is coming back to Catching Fire, we believe Gary Ross needs some support in his decision to stay with the movie series. So, here is how to help:

1) Make a 2-3 minute YouTube asking Gary Ross to stay with the movies. Be creative and put feeling in! It is your moment to be interviewed by Caesar, so make a good impression. If you aren't sure what to say, here is a good outline:

Hi, my name is ________, and I am a fan of The Hunger Games. It means a lot to me and to other fans of the series to have someone directing Catching Fire who is not only successful and talented, but who also loves the series as much as I do.

I believe that person is Gary Ross.

From his devotion to casting the perfect Katniss to his vision of Panem to his dedication to ensuring that the film respects the socially conscious messages of the books, Gary Ross has proven time and time again that he loves this series as much as I do. I want to see his vision continue throughout the rest of the franchise. I want to see who his Finnick is, what his Quarter Quell Arena looks like, how he’ll plant the seeds of revolution in Panem.

I am asking that Gary Ross come back for Catching Fire. As a fan of the books who was sold on the movies because of his commitment, I need him to return.

Thank you to Gary Ross for all of his incredible work.

And thank you for your consideration.

Be polite and make sure to thank Gary for his work and give him the three finger salute.

2) Upload the video to YouTube with the name "Gary Ross Is Boss - (Your Name Here)" Tag your video with GaryRossIsBoss. All the videos will be put on http://www.youtube.com/GaryRossIsBoss and on http://garyrossisboss.com/.

3) Spread the word!! Facebook. Twitter. Tumblr. YouTube. MySpace (if you have one...)

4) If you don't want to make a video, send a picture of yourself doing the three finger salute and holding a sign that reads "Gary Ross Is Boss" with the link youtube.com/garyrossisboss to GaryRossIsBoss@gmail.com and all the pictures will be put into a video. 

Make sure they remember you!!

Source: Down With the Capitol

Gary Ross Not Yet Out for Catching Fire

Don't worry! The earlier reports that Gary Ross was not coming back to Catching Fire are not true!

"Despite reports that have spread like wildfire on showbiz websites, we hear from multiple sources close to Catching Fire that director Gary Ross has not formally withdrawn from The Hunger Gamessequel. Ross is off on a family vacation and couldn’t be reached, but these internet reports that described his withdrawal as definitive are simply not accurate."

They also explain why it would be strange for Ross to leave the popular movie franchise.

" As for the notion that Ross would simply toss away the opportunity to return and direct Catching Fire because of a salary squabble, the logic seems flawed. The Seabiscuit director knows the benefit of riding in a winner and not switching horses midstream. Ross lobbied hard to get The Hunger Games and turned it into the biggest hit of his directing career. Before that, he developed several serious historical dramatic projects under his deal at Universal that didn’t get off the ground. Staying for a sure-fire hit and a sequel that audiences actually want to see makes a lot of sense for Ross, particularly given how active the filmmaker has been in the construction of Catching Fire."

Source: Deadline

Gary Ross - Back On?

After the earlier rumor, we have reports now that nothing was official! Gary Ross is not signed on nor has he declined the movie.

"Breathe (a little) easier Hunger Games fans!
While many have expressed their devastation at the news that director Gary Ross would not be returning to direct its sequel, Catching Fire, a source close to the situation tells Celebuzz that “nothing is official.”
After some lengthy negotiations, many are citing Gary’s film-making eye to be the main reason he would consider not coming back, not money.
Gary has directed a number of varying projects from Pleasantville to Seabiscuit, and The Playlist is reporting that the “burning desire simply isn’t there to spend another couple of years with Katniss in the Capitol.”
We know that we’re rooting for Gary to come back, Catching Fire just wouldn’t be the same without him!
What do you guys think? Do you want Gary to direct CF? Or would you like to see someone else take a shot? Sound off in the comments!"

Source: Celebuzz

Gary Ross Will Not Be on Catching Fire

It is being reported that Gary Ross will not be directing Catching Fire. This has not been confirmed yet.

"The Playlist has learned that Gary Ross has officially exited the franchise and will not direct the sequel, formally giving Lionsgate and Summithis notice earlier this week, that he will not be coming back.
Though recent trade reports have spun the story as being an issue mostly about money, that’s pretty much a small part of the motivation. Ross has never been a filmmaker that repeats himself (going from satire in “Pleasantville” to horse racing drama in “Seabiscuit” and action in “The Hunger Games“) and we’re told the burning desire simply isn’t there to spend another couple of years with Katniss in the Capitol (evidently, he also liked the first book best). And while the lowball salary offer probably didn’t help, Ross already has a fairly lucrative career as a screenwriter (and rewriter) and money isn’t really the issue. Simply put, the filmmaker is looking to change things up for this next effort.
While the details on what that project will be are still coming together, we’re told it will be something he has written that (ironically) will earn him a better payday that he would’ve received on “Catching Fire.” Essentially, it’s a win-win for Ross, who gets to move on to a project he developed for this fourth feature, and will allow him to do something different."

Who will direct Catching Fire now? Maybe, James Cameron?

E! Online Red Carpet Interviews

E! Online got to interview 27 members of the cast and we have all the videos here! Enjoy!

More after the jump!

NY Times interviews Gary Ross, Nina Jacobson, and Jennifer Lawrence

The New York Times interviewed Gary Ross, Nina Jacobson, and Jennifer Lawrence about...well...everything HG related.

Gary Ross:

"Gary Ross, the film’s director, is no stranger to the pressures of major book-to-screen adaptations. He brought both “Seabiscuit,” Laura Hillenbrand’s adult nonfiction book, and “The Tale of Despereaux,” a children’s book by Kate DiCamillo, to film. He also brings rare experience with the book world to Hollywood. As the president of the Los Angeles Public Library in the early 1990s Mr. Ross oversaw a major expansion of its young adult collection. The parent of 16-year-old twins, he is steeped in the genre. And he is an author himself. His first children’s book, what he calls an “epic poem” called “Bartholomew Biddle and the Very Big Wind,” will be published in November.
He argues that “The Hunger Games” both embodies and transcends the young-adult genre. “Because teenagers are on the cusp of adulthood, they’re grappling with a lot of issues that in adult books are resolved but teenagers are still beginning to explore,”he said. “It’s that nascent element that makes ‘The Hunger Games’ feel so urgent. It’s innocent and aspirational and engaging.” And, he argued, it is no less so for an adult than for a teenager.
“I was enthralled,” he said. “Not many books on this scope have the kind of intimacy of ‘The Hunger Games.’ It was subtle but urgent, and Katniss Everdeen was complicated.”

Nina Jacobson:

 “There were a lot of ways this could become a movie that didn’t honor what the book was about,” said one of the film’s producers, Nina Jacobson, who described herself as obsessed with the novel, and who optioned “The Hunger Games” immediately after reading it. She made a passionate case to the author, promising to respect the book’s fans without pandering to a teenage audience. But Ms. Jacobson assured Ms. Collins she wouldn’t dilute the story by aging the characters up or by glamorizing its violence. “I loved the book as an adult,” Ms. Jacobson said firmly. “I don’t think it’s a Y.A. novel.”

Jennifer Lawrence:

"For Ms. Lawrence, the film’s lead, it was the character of Katniss that ultimately convinced her to sign on. Joining a major teenage franchise, after all, carries risks. Like Kristen Stewart pre-“Twilight,” Ms. Lawrence is mostly known for independent films, like “Winter’s Bone,” her breakout. (The most recent installment of the “X-Men” series was a notable exception.)
She wasn’t so sure herself. “This wasn’t one of those parts where I thought, ‘I have to have this,’ because it’s so scary,” Ms. Lawrence admitted by phone from Prague, where she is preparing for a part. “But I thought, ‘If this is going to be the thing I’m most known for, I want it to be something I’m proud of.’ If someone comes up to me and says, ‘Are you Katniss?’ I’m O.K. with that. Because I love this character and this book so much.”She also worried about what might otherwise happen to Katniss. “I was hoping and praying that if I didn’t play the part, they wouldn’t make her into a bad-ass girl who can kill anyone,” she said.“Because I think it’s a much sadder story. Katniss doesn’t have any time to think. She feels like she can die at any second. She’s vulnerable, and she doesn’t want to have to kill, but she’s also a hero.”

 Read the entire article here.