Attention: Lionsgate Seeks New Directors for Mockingjay Part 1 and 2 to be Released November 2014 and 2015, Respectively

The Hunger Games movie series executive producer Nina Jacobson is in search for potential directors for the trilogy's last film adaptions of Mockingjay, which is to be split in two parts. Mockingjay Part 1 is expected to be released by November 21, 2014 while the part 2 will be on the 20th of November 2015. It might be hard on the director's part because there is just about a year interval between the films. If you could remember, that's one of the main reasons why Gary Ross left the project and the producers got Francis Lawrence on board. We are not really sure if the pre-production for Catching Fire has started but sooner or later the filming will start soon (rumor has it that it might start by September or so). According to Total Film via Collider:

With only a year between each film's release, Lawrence would likely still be working on post-production for Catching Fire when pre-production on Mockingjay would be due to start. As a result, producer Nina Jacobson is apparently vetting potential replacements in tandem with author Suzanne Collins.

In one respect, it's good that Lionsgate are planning far enough ahead so as not to get caught out like they were with Ross, but it also seems a shame to prioritise release dates so far above getting the right man for the job. If Lawrence turns out to be an excellent fit, it seems a shame not to be able to consider keeping him on, simply because there are deadlines to be hit.

So far, Lionsgate has announced officially that Philip Seymour Hoffman will play head gamemaker Plutarch Heavensbee and Amanda Plummer will take on the role of District 3 victor Wiress, aka Nuts for Catching Fire. Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Stanley Tucci, Donald Sutherland, Toby Jones, and Willow Shields all reprise their roles.  For more Catching Fire casting updates, go here.