X-Men Sequel Starts in January

A looming scheduling conflict for actress Jennifer Lawrence has been resolved, meaning that she can do the sequels to both X-Men: First Class and The Hunger Games.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, 20th Century Fox has agreed to shoot X-Men: First Class 2 next January, allowing Lionsgate to shoot the second installment of their Hunger Games franchise, Catching Fire, around August/September.

Fox had cast Lawrence in the supporting role of Mystique months before Lionsgate cast her in the leading role of Katniss Everdeen. Fox had the right to exercise their sequel option on Lawrence and start filming the X-Men sequel this fall, thus screwing up Lionsgate's plan to get Catching Fire started in time to make its already announced 2013 release date.

Matthew Vaughn will direct the next X-Men film, while Lionsgate is still trying to work out a deal with Gary Ross to reprise directing duties for the Hunger Games sequel.


Jim Vejvoda is the Executive Editor in charge of IGN Movies. Follow him on Twitter at @StaxIGN or on IGN.

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