Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here today to mourn Gary Ross' passing...on directing the sequel to "The Hunger Games." Despite having taken on the first film in the series and turned it into a wild success, Gary issued a statement last night explaining that a tight production schedule and other pressing concerns would prevent him from helming the sequel "Catching Fire." And to that, we say...PFFFFFT.
Oops, sorry—that just slipped out! But really, we want to say THANKS. As in:
Dear Gary,
Thank you for "The Hunger Games." Thank you for setting the bar so high, and giving us a movie that the next director will have to work his or her buttocks off to follow. Thank you for bringing the world of Panem to such vibrant life onscreen. Thank you for loving the books as much as we did. Thank you for putting that wig on Woody Harrelson and those pants on Liam Hemsworth. While we're at it, thank you for that mid-movie shot of Liam Hemsworth looking all sweaty and sexy (you didn't have to do that, but it was awesome.) And thank you, thank you SO MUCH, for Seneca Crane's beard.
Oh, GARY. You've taught us so much! That hair color has nothing to do with good casting; that third-person perspective can bring new insights to a story that fans already know by heart; that Stanley "The Tooch" Tucci is, in fact, the best person in the world at everything. (Are you guys bros now? Do you hang out and make pancakes together and play video games? Please tell us that you hang out, it would almost make this whole thing okay...almost.)
Well, anyway. We wish you weren't going, Gary, but if you must, we wish you all the best. Godspeed, Gary! Adieu! Give the Tooch a really good bro-hug for us! And, of course, may the odds be ever in your favor.
Yours,
Hollywood Crush
Will you join us in bidding a fond farewell to Gary Ross as director of the "Hunger Games" franchise? Leave your thoughts in the comments and on Twitter!