Collider is exclusively reporting that Francis Lawrence, who’s currently directing Catching Fire, has been hired by Lionsgate to direct the remaining films of the series.

Francis Lawrence will continue to work on the franchise as he’ll reportedly direct The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1, out in theaters November 21, 2013, and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2, which is scheduled for a release on November 20, 2014.

This is great news for continuity! And it can only mean that Lionsgate is happy with the footage they have already seen of Catching Fire, which is being filmed in Atlanta and will be shooting in Hawaii by the end of this month. Even though we’ll still need to wait for official confirmation from the studio, the source is thrust-worthy.

EDIT: As we predicted it would happen, Lionsgate has now confirmed the news!

Lionsgate has tapped Francis Lawrence to direct @thehungergames: MOCKINGJAY – PART 1 and @thehungergames:MOCKINGJAY – PART 2

— Lionsgate News (@LionsgateNews) November 1, 2012