Smell that? It’s a new film franchise.

Lionsgate smells it too, that’s why they’ve set the release date for Catching Fire, the second book in The Hunger Games trilogy, for November 22, 2013. This is what Joe Drake, co-COO of Lionsgate, had to say about the release date:

The magical thing about the ‘Hunger Games’ trilogy is that the books have such a vastly broad appeal. The stories truly offer something for everyone, and the period around the Thanksgiving weekend is such an opportunity for families and friends to make an event of going to the movies.

He’s got a point there. It’s probably going to rack up sales during that weekend. The first film has yet to come out though, but it’s scheduled to hit March 23, 2012. Check out stills of Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen with an awesome set of arrows on her back and Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark. [Comingsoon and Screen Rant via The Daily Blam]

catching fire, jennifer lawrence, josh hutcherson, lions gate, the hunger games