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Hunger Games Director Shakeup: "I'm Really Excited," Says Star Josh Hutcherson

Exclusive! Peeta hasn't spoken about the changes going down for Catching Fire...until now!

By Marc Malkin Apr 22, 2012 2:52 AMTags
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Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth haven't publicly commented on getting a new director for Catching Fire, the sequel to their megahit The Hunger Games.

But that changed a few minutes ago when I spoke with Hutcherson.

Read on to find out what he has to say about what's been going down at The Capitol…

 "[Writer/director] Gary Ross was the best guy in the world," Hutcherson said at the GLAAD Media Awards, where he's being honored with the Vanguard Award. "I think he brought so much to the movie. I'm definitely going to miss him."

Hutcherson added that he had thought Ross was on board for all three flicks, but he's psyched to work with the sequel's new director. "Francis Lawrence is extremely talented," he said. "I've heard he's the nicest guy in the world. I'm really excited to see what he's going to do with it.

It was announced on Thursday that Lawrence, director of I Am Legend, signed on to helm the second Hunger Games film after Ross decided not to return.

Catching Fire is set to start shooting in the fall before Jennifer begins working on the X Men: First Class sequel in January.