We thought that Francis Lawrence was the name that seemed most fitting for the directing vacancy on 'The Hunger Games' sequel 'Catching Fire' and now comes word from Coming Soon that Lionsgate has officially offered him the job. Lawrence, whose previous credits are 'Constantine', 'I Am Legend' and most recently the period drama 'Water For Elephants' has not yet agreed to direct the sequel but negotiations will begin soon and as long as the money is right, a deal will probably be thrashed out quickly. He has a free schedule and is able to jump right in to this which is something 'Moneyball' director Bennett Miller doesn't have as he gears up to direct 'Foxcatcher' in December, which would overlap with 'Catching Fire's' shoot late summer/fall. Both Lawrence and Miller met with Lionsgate on Thursday but Miller probably admitted defeat due to scheduling as he wasn't willing to delay 'Foxcatcher', a movie he has wanted to make since 'Capote' and that has Steve Carell, Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo attached to star. Lawrence has worked on movies involving a heavy dose of special effects but importantly did show a dramatic maturity with his last film Water For Elephants that threatens to broaden his range. Lionsgate cast a really wide net for the job of replacing The Hunger Games director Gary Ross when a deal couldn't be agreed for him to return. Tomas Alfredson ('Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy'), Joe Cornish ('Attack The Block'), Duncan Jones ('Moon'), Cary Fukunaga ('Jane Eyre'), David Cronenberg ('Eastern Promises'), Alfonso Cuaron ('Children of Men') and Juan Antonio Bayona ('The Orphange') were all considered and some point, some even had meetings with the studio. In the end they went with the name that was the most-fitting for the job. But what do you think Hunger Games fans? A missed opportunity when the likes of Cronenberg and Alfredson were circling? Written by 'Slumdog Millionaire' screenwriter Simon Beaufoy, 'Catching Fire' will once again star Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth. Filming is beying eyed for as early as an August. Catching Fire is set for a November 22nd, 2013 release.