Sam Mendes / Gary Ross / David Slade

Seeking the next big thing for the teen and tween set, Lionsgate is in development on The Hunger Games, an adaptation on the popular young adult novel by Suzanne Collins. Generating a lot of buzz with the post-pubescent set is the directors contending to helm the project: David Slade (Hard Candy and Twilight: Eclipse), Gary Ross (Pleasantville and Seabiscuit), and Sam Mendes (American Beauty and Away We Go).

The book is the first of three currently published, and Lionsgate is no doubt hoping to have the next Harry Potter or Twilight on their hands. Publishers Weekly compares the book’s dark tone and futuristic setting to Brave New World and Fahrenheit 451. Like Twilight, the books center on a young woman but unlike the vampire romance series, the protagonist, Katniss, is a hero, not a damsel in near-constant distress.

In what used to be the United States, territories annually offer two teenage sacrifices to compete as gladiators in the Hunger Games. Katniss nobly chooses to take her sister’s place in the games, and struggles alongside her friend, Peeta, to stay alive and maintain her humanity. A scorching criticism of a media and reality-TV obsessed culture, the books are attracting attention from kids and adults alike.

It’s little wonder then that Lionsgate is courting Slade and Mendes. I’m admittedly perplexed by Ross’s place here. The subject matter is undoubtedly dark, and involves a gutsy teen girl. Both Slade and Mendes have dabbled in that subject matter before, while the closest Ross has gotten is the sexually active Reese Witherspoon character in Pleasantville. She’s not exactly on par with Thora Birch’s Jane in American Beauty or Ellen Page’s “Hayley Stark” of Hard Candy.

Regardless, the premise is intense and seems like another possible project for Hit-Girl It Girl Chloe Moretz. Or maybe Emily Browning of Sucker Punch? Or Abigail Breslin of Zombieland?

Chloe Moretz / Emily Browning / Abigail Breslin

Who would you like to see direct The Hunger Games? Who would you like to see in play Katniss and Peeta?

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