Gary Ross (SEABISCUIT) is in talks to direct the first installment in the trilogy, titled somewhat appropriately THE HUNGER GAMES. That they’re talking to a guy who’s an Oscar-nominee four times over shows though that Lionsgate may be taking their adaptation of a young adult sensation a little more seriously than the TWILIGHT franchise.
For those, like me, who are unaware, I’ll do my best to give you a refresher. The titular games take place in a futuristic dystopia where the government chooses one boy and one girl from each district to fight to the death in a yearly televised match. Our story follows specifically a 16-year-old girl who volunteers in place of her sickly sister and a boy, also in the games, who loves her. AWWWW.
Ross hasn’t directed a film since 2003 but Lionsgate wants to get moving quickly on this film to strike while the iron’s hot. No word if Ross’ deal would include any sequels.