'Catching Fire' Director: Alfonso Cuaron, David Cronenberg And Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu On Reported Shorlist

"Catching Fire" needs a director ... and fast! The sequel to the worldwide smash "The Hunger Games" starts filming in August with a scheduled release date set for November of 2013. That means Lionsgate must replace the departed Gary Ross as soon as yesterday. Well, according to the Los Angeles Times, the studio already has a shortlist of eight directors, including at least one former "Harry Potter" helmer.

Per the Times blog 24 Frames, Alfonso Cuaron is one of the wanted replacements. The acclaimed filmmaker directed "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban," the third film in the multi-billion dollar franchise, and is credited with setting up the visual template for the later films in the series. Cuaron would help Lionsgate not only smooth over any fan anger over Ross' exit, but also please "Games" author Suzanne Collins. The Times reports that Collins wants a "quality" director to handle the sequel.        Full Read