“Hunger Games” director Gary Ross won’t be back for “Catching Fire,” the second installment in the sci-fi action series, TheWrap reports. He cited scheduling constraints:

“As a writer and a director, I simply don’t have the time I need to write and prep the movie I would have wanted to make because of the fixed and tight production schedule,” Ross said, calling the decision a difficult one.”

In a statement, Lionsgate execs said they were sorry to see Ross go:

“We were really looking forward to making the movie with him,” the studio said. “He did an incredible job on the first film and we are grateful for his work.”

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