I recently reported that Lionsgate is searching for a director to helm the Hunger Games, a YA phenomenon that Lionsgate hopes will rival the success of the Harry Potter and Twilight franchises. Early reports said that David Slade (Hard Candy and Twilight: Eclipse), Gary Ross (Pleasantville and Seabiscuit), and Sam Mendes (American Beauty and Away We Go) were the major contenders, but some new directors have entered the arena.
Today Deadline announced that Andrew Adamson (Shrek, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe), Rupert Sanders, an acclaimed British commercial director looking to move into film, and Susanna White (Nanny McPhee Returns, the Jane Eyre miniseries) are possibilities for directorial duties on the adaptation of the first book of Suzanne Collins trilogy.
The expectation is that a decision will be made late next week, though Slade, Ross and Mendes still appear to be favorites. Honestly, I’m baffled by this latest development as the first three names seemed to overall fit the dark tone and storyline of the book, which centers on a teenage girl who is forced to become a gladiator, and fight for her life as the twisted remains of the United States watches from the safety of their seats. Adamson’s work is considerably lighter fare, while White has little film experience of note, and Sanders has none at all.
If this project is going to be as big as the buzz indicates, why not go with a proven director who is more likely capable of giving the possible franchise a reputable start?
With this new twist, who would you like to see come out on top and direct Hunger Games?