‘Hunger Games: Mockingjay’ Screenwriter Danny Strong to Begin Work on Part 2 (Exclusive)

Lionsgate has exercised its option for Danny Strong, who wrote the Emmy-winning HBO movie Game Change, to pen the script for the second part of the company’s adaptation of Mockingjay, the finale of the Hunger Games movie series.

Strong already had written the script for Mockingjay, Part 1 and had a deal to write the script for the second part. But it was always contingent on the studio liking and approving his draft for Part 1.

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Now it’s all systems go for him to commence the new script.

Lionsgate is dividing the book into two parts, a la the finales for the Harry Potter and Twilight series

It’s unclear how the book is being split. The story kicks off after heroine Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) escapes the fight-to-the-death Hunger Games and reluctantly agrees to lead the districts of Panem in a rebellion against the Capitol. She teams with close friend Gale (Liam Hemsworth) to bring down the brutal rulers.

Francis Lawrence, who is shooting first sequel The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, is expected to direct the movie while Nina Jacobson produces via her Color Force banner.

Strong is repped by CAA, Gotham Group, Sweeney Management and Jackoway Tyerman.