‘Hunger Games’ Franchise Filmmaker Francis Lawrence Inks First Look Deal With Lionsgate

deadline.com:

Hunger Games franchise filmmaker Francis Lawrence has signed a first look producing deal with Lionsgate via his label about:blank.

Adam Fogelson, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chair made the announcement today. Lawrence and his about:blank producing partner Cameron MacConomy recently finished production on Lionsgate’s The Long Walk, the feature take of the Stephen King novel, starring Cooper Hoffman and David Jonsson.

It was a year ago that Lawrence’s prequel, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes opened, ultimately grossing close to $350M worldwide and sending the Lionsgate feature series based on the Suzanne Collins novels to $3.7 billion in global tickets sales. “Francis’ ability to marry incredibly compelling characters and emotions with exciting and visceral action and spectacle is exceptional.

He’s also a thoughtful, committed partner,” said Fogelson. “We are beyond excited to deepen our relationship.”  “I’m thrilled to have this opportunity to make Lionsgate my home,” said Lawrence. “This studio has put together a team of some of the smartest and most decent people I’ve worked with.