While recent news of the X-Men: First Class sequel adjusting its production window means Lionsgate will have Jennifer Lawrence free for production to begin on The Hunger Games sequel, as originally planned, things are less positive for director Gary Ross.
Ross, who co-wrote and directed the monster hit, did not sign a deal for either Catching Fire or Mockingjay (typically only the cast sign such binding deals) and negotiations to sign on for the sequels were described as "heated" after talk of a pay increase.
Now it appears Ross has dropped out of the production, The Playlist cites a lack of interest in rest of the series (claiming Ross prefers the first book) and will step aside to allow a hungrier (forgive the pun) director to take over.
Sources claim that 20th Century Fox intend to begin shooting a sequel to X-Men: First Class this coming January, resolving a scheduling conflict with Catching Fire, Lionsgate's planned sequel to The Hunger Games.
Reboots continue to be the order of the day at big Hollywood studios, and next on the slate for Universal Pictures is The Mummy franchise.
