AceShowbiz -

Soon after it was reported that Lionsgate was still negotiating the salary with "The Hunger Games" director Gary Ross, it is revealed that no deal was reached. The Playlist reported that Ross has officially bowed out of the franchise and consequently will not direct "Hunger Games" sequel, "Catching Fire".

In THR's report, Ross wanted more than the $3 million and 5|percent| of the backend gross that he acquired for being the director and scriptwriter in the first film. The Playlist said that money is only a small part of his exit and the true reason is his passion towards one-off movies. The so-called seasoned filmmaker has explored various genres of movies in the past such as fantasy "Pleasantville" and drama "Seabiscuit" before trying his hands on action "Hunger Games".

Ross reportedly doesn't have the desire to spend another couple of years working with the franchise. He has expressed his love of the first book by Suzanne Collins but he also has another script written that he likes better. The Playlist said that the unknown project also pays better than what he would have earned in "Catching Fire".

Lionsgate has set the sequel's release date to November 22, 2013 and wants to start the project this fall. The studio is negotiating the filming schedule for Jennifer Lawrence with Fox which produces the actress' new "X-Men" movie.