On the heels of the announcement earlier this month that writer/director Gary Ross will not be returning for The Hunger Games sequel, Catching Fire, ComingSoon.net has learned that Francis Lawrence has officially been offered the job.

Lawrence, who has not officially signed on as of yet and who still has to go through the negotiation process, most recently directed the period drama Water for Elephants for the screen. On television, Lawrence also helmed the pilot episode of the Kiefer Sutherland series "Touch" and just wrapped production on the pilot of the upcoming supernatural drama, "Gotham." His previous big screen efforts include I Am Legend and the comic book adaptation Constantine.

Catching Fire is currently planned for a November 22, 2013 release with Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Donald Sutherland and Lenny Kravitz among those who are all expected to return for the franchise sequel.