'Hunger Games': Release Dates Set for 'Mockingjay' Parts 1 and 2

With the potential to be a top-grossing franchise like the "Twilight" series, "The Hunger Games" is an important asset to Lionsgate. So when it comes to setting release dates for the final two movies in the franchise, Lionsgate isn't taking any chances.

The studio has set the release dates for "Mockingjay" parts one and two, which will presumably be given the franchise-friendly and punctuation-heavy titles of "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1" and "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2," based on the fact that Lionsgate did the same with "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire."

The schedule is simple enough: Part 1 of "Mockingjay" will be release on November 21, 2014, and Part 2 will be released on November 20, 2015. "Catching Fire" is set to release on November 22, 2013. It would seem that, with the huge success of "The Hunger Games" this year, the studio has decided that the franchise can handle and benefit greatly from a holiday season release, as opposed to the April debut of the first movie.

Meanwhile, casting news is heating up a bit for "Catching Fire," as the rumored Phillip Seymour Hoffman is now confirmed for the role of Plutarch Heavensbee. Jena Malone is still in talks for Johanna Mason, but looks to be a sure thing.