“Hunger Games” Director Found?

Writer and director Gary Ross has managed to climb to the top of an impressive list of directors being considered for the upcoming project “Hunger Games.” Ross has emerged as the favorite of Lionsgate and the film’s producers who have also interviewed Ron Howard, Sam Mendes, Rupert Sanders and David Slade.

Up for grabs among the list of top directors is the opportunity to helm the film “Hunger Games,” an adaptation of the Suzanne Collins young adult book. In the story, set in a future America, teenagers are forced to fight to the death in gladiator style matches. One young woman stands up to challenge the standard, forcing a change in society.

Ross is still in early negotiations with the studio and producer Nina Jacobsen. Ross is the director behind films such as “Seabiscuit” and “Pleasantville.”