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.

The first part of The Hunger Games trilogy featured the writing talents of Gary Ross, Suzanne Collins, and Billy Ray. Catching Fire, the second part (to be directed by Francis Lawrence), features a draft penned by Slumdog Millionaire screenwriter Simon Befouy and rewrites by Toy Story 3 scribe Michael Arndt. While it’s very likely that Lionsgate will hire a new director for Mockingjay, the studio has already hired a screenwriter to adapt the third and final part of The Hunger Games trilogy. Word is that Lionsgate is hiring Game Change and Recount wrtier Danny Strong to pen the draft for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 & Part 2.

Variety’s report confirms that the studio will be changing writers for the third act of the trilogy. Strong, who has written two powerful political pieces for HBO Films, Recount and Game Change, has already turned in a script for Lee Daniel’s upcoming historical drama The Butler. Strong already has an impressive track record for writing quality scripts. His two political pieces have won a number of Emmys. Daniels’ is also using his script for the upcoming political drama The Butler, starring Forest Whitaker.

This new tradition of splitting the final film adaptation of a final book is a great way to rake in some box office returns. Of course sometimes cutting it into two parts may have its drawbacks, but fans will return to see how it all ends.

For a long time, we’ve known that The Hunger Games: Mockingjay would be split into two parts. Now thanks to Deadline, we know what the release dates are for the film. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire will be released on November 22, 2013. Then The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 will be released November 21, 2014 while its follow up, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 will be out a year later, November 20, 2015.