Production for Catching Fire, the sequel adaptation for Suzanne Collins‘ The Hunger Games, is already underway with Francis Lawrence (Constantine & I am Legend) serving as director. Originally it was thought that Lionsgate would move forward with a new director overseeing production for the two-part finale adaptation of Mockingjay. Well, that is no longer the case as Collider reports that Lawrence will be directing the final two films of The Hunger Games trilogy.

Collider was the very first to discover details the latest deal, which is still very hot so it could be a while before Lionsgate officially announces the deal as set. Game Changer screenwriter Danny Strong is currently busy adapting the final two parts of Mockingjay. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part I arrives on November 21, 2014, and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part II hits theaters the following year on November 20, 2015.

Before Lawrence was brought in to direct Catching Fire, it was originally thought that The Hunger Games director Gary Ross would be directing, only because he would be working with the same people. However, Ross felt that he couldn’t make the same movie under the strict time constraints. So it looks like that isn’t the case for Lawrence.

Catching Fire opens in theaters on November 22, 2013.

[Source: Collider]