Miller & Lawrence On Catching Fire Director List

Last week a list of potential replacement directors was generated for the next film in "The Hunger Games" saga adapting author Suzanne Collins' novel series "Catching Fire"--At the time only 3 names were revealed from Lionsgate's 'master list' of around 7-8 names who fit their criteria. They were Alfonso Cuaron, David Cronenberg and Alejandro González Iñárritu .

Now The Playlist has revealed two other folks that are also in contention: Bennet Miller and Francis Lawrence are also in contention.

A deal is expected to be inked quickly so whomever fills the big chair left vacated by Gary Ross can get to work on fixing up the script with writer Simon Beaufoy and author Collins. And shooting is slated to begin in August so that star actress Jennifer Lawrence can start work on Fox's in-development as yet Untitled X-Men First Class Sequel in January.