As Lionsgate prepares to begin production on the sequel to mega-hit The Hunger Games they seem to be making a lot of changes behind the camera! The entire cast is obviously set to return but after the recently announced news that director Gary Ross would NOT be returning to helm the sequel (and has been replaced by ‘I Am Legends’ Francis Lawrence) we now have word that there may be a new writer jumping on board. The script for the sequel (titled ‘Catching Fire’) has been written by Simon Beaufoy, but that was back when Gary Ross was still directing, and it looks like Lionsgate is looking to make some changes to the script by hiring Michael Arndt to “re-tool” Beaufoy’s draft. To be honest I’m not really sure why they would tinker with the script this close to production (scheduled to begin as early as this Summer) but I have a lot of faith in Lionsgate’s judgement after seeing the first ‘Hunger Games’ film, I loved it! Not to mention Michael Arndt is the scribe behind ‘Toy Story 3′ and ‘Little Miss Sunshine,’ and I’m a huge fan of both of those films as well. And as previously stated, Arndt will not be completely re-writing ‘Catching Fire,’ just re-tooling Beaufoy’s script so hopefully this is all for the greater good of the film.

Take a look at the synopsis for ‘Catching Fire’ below and look for it in theaters as early as November of 2013! (And of course stay tuned for more updates on the film as production begins this Summer):

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge.

What do you think Banters? Does this writing change scare you or are you open to what Arndt can bring to the table?