With the cash cow that that is Summit’s ‘Twilight’ franchise making execs across Hollywood green with envy, it’s no surprise that a new trilogy, aimed squarely at the same demographic, is in the works.
Deadline reports that Sam Mendes, David Slade & Gary Ross (“Pleasantville,” “Seabiscuit”) are contenders to direct the first installment of “The Hunger Games” trilogy based on the novels by Suzanne Collins. With a fresh re-write done by Billy Ray (“Shattered Glass,” “Breach”) the story follows “Katniss Everdeen, an enterprising 16-year old from a poor territory that was once Appalachia, who becomes a teen gladiator in a reality show event that is a battle to the death against other teens from the 12 districts that make up what is left of the USA, which is run by a cruel totalitarian government.” So basically “The Running Man” for teens?
The choice of directors is interesting. Slade is a bit of hot ticket right now coming off the mega-success of “Twilight: Eclipse” and most recently has been named as the favorite to direct “X-Men Origins: Wolverine 2.” As for Mendes, this isn’t the first time his name has been attached to tentpole fare having been previously linked to the comic adaptation “Preacher” and “Oz The Great And Powerful.” But if he does sign on, what does it mean for the gestating “On Chesil Beach“? The only wildcard here is Ross, whose only two completed films makes him seem like a completely wrong match for the material though he’ll probably come in cheaper than the the other two. Deadline also reports that Andrew Adamson (“Shrek,” “The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe”) was also in the mix at one point but appears to have dropped out.
The books have been a mega-success with the last installment “Mockingjay” selling over 450,000 units since it hit stores on August 24th. No word yet on casting but unknowns are expected to fill the roles.