Slumdog Millionaire writer sought for Hunger Games sequel

Simon Beaufoy, writer of both Slumdog Millionaire and The Full Monty, is being wooed by Lionsgate to script The Hunger Games sequel, Catching Fire

Lionsgate must feel like a kid on Christmas Eve with The Hunger Games. So convinced is the studio that it has a hot property on its hands that it announced a release date for the sequel before the first film even wrapped. Now it’s begun the search for a scribe to adapt Suzanne Collins’ second in The Hunger Games trilogy, Catching Fire, and Simon Beaufoy looks to be the man.

With The Full Monty and Slumdog Millionaire behind him, Beaufoy knows a thing or two about Brit sleeper hits, but Catching Fire would be the first bonafide US blockbuster on his CV.

Gary Ross will still be in the director’s chair for number two, but it’s thought the rapid turnaround Lionsgate is aiming for with the films means he won’t be able to take on scripting duties as before.

Catching Fire continues the story of

Katniss Everdeen, survivor of the Hunger Games death match of the first novel, and the events of a special anniversary edition of the Games. We brought you the first full trailer for The Hunger Games, out next March, earlier in the week, but for anyone who missed out, take a look below.