'Hunger Games' fans, which have been very lucky lately with a stream of new set photos leaked out online, have a new reason to celebrate. Actor turned screenwriter Danny Strong confirmed to Entertainment Weekly that he is writing the two-part 'Mockingjay' screenplays.
"As for Mockingjay - I can say very little about it," the Emmy Award-winner said. "I was approached to pitch on it, and I just literally holed myself up for a week and came up with a presentation for two movies. I pitched my little heart out, and got the job. I literally can't say anything else - I will just get in trouble. It's, like, Defcon 5 on security over there. It's really crazy."
The news that Strong would take on the last two films was first reported by Variety on October 1. Lionsgate has yet to confirm the news. The two-part finale to the Hunger Games series is scheduled to hit theaters on November 21, 2014 and then on November 20, 2015.
As if that wasn't exciting news enough, fans were also treated to some new leaked set photos of lead actor Josh Hutcherson, who plays District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark. The 20-year-old actor is seen relaxing on the beach and catching some waves. A stream of leaked photos have found their way onto the web, giving fans a glimpse of what is to come in the second installment of the series, 'The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.'
'Catching Fire' is based on the popular book series by Suzanne Collins and will focus on the 75th annual Hunger Games (Quarter Quell). The film will pick up after the first Hunger Games of District 12 victors Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark set off for the Victors Tour of Panem before heading to the Quarter Quell.
The first installment of the series, 'The Hunger Games,' was a tremendous international success, catapulting the film's cast to worldwide fame. A full cast list of the second chapter was finally released in September, following weeks of intense speculation.
'Catching Fire' director Francis Lawrence will direct the series' third and fourth films, 'Mockingjay' Parts 1 and 2, Lionsgate announce in November.
'The Hunger Games: Catching Fire' is scheduled to hit theaters on November 22, 2013.