If you can forgive us the headline long enough for us to tell you the news, we would appreciate it. The search for a director to take on the Hunger Games sequel Catching Fire after Gary Ross decided to walk away is over.

The man Lionsgate has chosen to take up the torch and continue the blockbuster franchise is Francis Lawrence. Lawrence won the coveted gig after after other directors like Moneyball helmer Bennett Miller had to drop out due to a scheduling problem.

According to the report, he was always a top pick for Lionsgate but his deal finalized when others such as Miller had to drop out of contention. Additionally, Lawrence can get started right away so the film can get into production before star Jennifer Lawrence (no relation) has to head back to the Marvel Universe and suit up for the sequel to X-Men: First Class.

In case you can’t place the director’s name, his previous credits include Water For Elephants, I Am Legend and Constantine as well as music videos for Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez and Green Day. So, he’s got some directing chops as we like at least two of his movies (no, not the one with RPat).

So, with the sequel to Hunger Games now seemingly on track, look for it to arrive in theaters late in 2013.

The greatest show on earth?  Nah, but I found Water for Elephants to be an immensely enjoyable period film filled with decadent set pieces, gorgeous costumes, and a fascinating look at Depression-era Americana. The romance might be a tad tepid, but there is plenty to keep you entertained in this film adaptation of the popular novel by Sara Gruen.

If you haven’t read the book (I haven’t) don’t let the clunky title be a turnoff. Water for Elephants takes place in 1931, and tells the tale of Jacob Jakowski (Robert Pattinson), who has just completed his final year of Veterinary Science at the prestigious Cornell University. On the day of his final exams, Jacob learns that both of his parents died in a tragic car crash, and that they had mortgaged their house and belongings to pay his tuition.

He takes off with the shoes on his feet, the shirt on his back, and little else. Due to divine intervention or blind good luck, Jacob jumps onto a train that just happens to be housing an entire traveling circus.

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Ever sinse actor Christoph Waltz burst onto the scene in Quentin Tarantino’s terrific Inglourious Basterds, I’ve been waiting for him to have another amazing role to follow that film. Now, it appears he’s found one.

Alongside Reese Witherspoon and Twilight’s Robert Pattinson, Waltz stars in the Francis Lawrence-directed drama Water for Elephants. Based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Sara Gruen, the story concerns a love triangle under the circus Big Top.

In the film, Pattinson’s character, a veterinary student named Jacob, abandons his studies after his parents are killed in a car accident and joins the traveling circus as their vet. Of course, complications ensue when he falls in love with Marlena (Witherspoon), the wife of the brutal yet charming head animal trailer (Waltz).

Regardless of the subject matter, the presence of Pattinson and the seemingly melodramatic nature of the plot, I’m in because of Christoph Waltz. Plus, I love the circus.

Check out the first trailer for the film after the jump and decide for yourself if this film’s for you. Water for Elephants hits theaters on April 15, 2011.

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Director Francis Lawrence, who’s previous credits include I Am Legend, Constantine and TV’s Kings has picked up another directing gig. He will take on the big screen adaptation of DC’s comic character Sgt. Rock for producers Joel Silver and Akiva Goldsman. The film, who’s previous director Guy Ritchie left to take on DC’s Lobo adaptation, will be scripted by relative newcomer Chad St. John.

Another change announced for this project is the shift from a WWII setting, where in the comics Sgt. Rock leads his “Easy Company” team of soldiers against the Nazis, to the future where, reportedly, the producers feel the film will be more universally accepted due to the comic’s current “pro-America” stance. Plus, the producers are worried about the relative box office success of a big budget WWII action film, Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds notwithstanding.

I guess both of those things make sense. Although, I would argue that WWII is a great place to set a movie and Nazis are always okay as bad guys. Look at the huge success of the Call of Duty video game franchise and Tarantinio’s film as examples. Setting the film in the future, whatever that might mean, just seems kinda like a cop out.

No word on casting or a release date for the film as of yet. Or on what further changes will be made to the premise. We’ll keep an eye on this one and let you know what develops.