‘Hunger Games: Catching Fire’ starts production, Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth head back to work

Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth and the rest of the Hunger Games: Catching Fire cast are back to work. Production on the first sequel to The Hunger Games started Monday in Atlanta.

E! News reports that we could soon see on-set photos of Lawrence, Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson, Elizabeth Banks and Philip Seymour Hoffman. It is being directed by Water for Elephants’ Francis Lawrence.

Jeffrey Wright, who was cast last week, Sam Claflin, Jena Malone and the rest of the cast will travel to Hawaii, where production will continue later in the year.

“We are so excited to be embarking on this adventure with Francis Lawrence, who has already exhibited immense creative vision and resourcefulness in casting the film and planning its look and feel,” Lionsgate’s President of Production Eric Feig said in a statement, reports RumorFix. “The stakes are raised in every way in this second story, and we are thrilled to get the production underway in these perfect locations, with our excellent returning cast and some world class actors in new roles.”

Lionsgate also announced a contest that will give 12 fans the chance to visit the set.

Production on Catching Fire will wrap in December, but the film is not scheduled for release until Nov. 22, 2013. The next installment of the Hunger Games series, based on Suzanne Collins’ third novel Mockingjay, will be split into two films released in 2014 and 2015.