A two-part final installment. If Harry Potter can do it — and if Twilight even feels the need — why would The Hunger Games be excluded? Lionsgate will milk this franchise cow right until its final days, so you need not be surprised at an announcement that the final book, Mockingjay, is being adapted into The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2; the former is hitting on November 21st, 2014, and the latter comes our way on November 20th, 2015. (Despite the smashing success of The Hunger Games‘ March release, they’re creating a perfectly safe pattern by opening it the same weekend as the next film, Catching Fire, which is scheduled to open on November 22nd, 2013.) [Deadline]

Now, I’m no fan of this release pattern — just give me a full movie, don’t create dramatic discord by separating one story over two years, etc. — yet I can’t entirely blame them for striking while the iron of Katniss’ bow remains hot. Of course, you should expect every (living) character to return, expect them to be slavishly faithful to Suzanne Collins‘ book, and expect the money to rake right in.

Meanwhile, BoxOfficeMojo says Need for Speed will drift into theaters on February 7th, 2014. Scott Waugh (Act of Valor) will direct for DreamWorks, while George Gatins has already written a screenplay based on the video game series’ narrative — or what exists of it. Hard details are not something we, non-DreamWorks employees, are privy to right now, though we can expect plenty of high-octane racing. Make up your own mind about its potential.

What are your thoughts on Mockingjay getting this treatment? Do you have the Need for Speed?