Lionsgate has officially confirmed that it will follow the example of the Twilight Saga and Harry Potter by splitting Mockingjay the final book in The Hunger Games Series into two parts, stretching their successful film franchise into four films.

The first Hunger Games film has already taken £436 million pounds worldwide in cinemas alone. Only Marvel’s record breaking superhero blockbuster Avengers has kept it from being the highest grossing film of the year.

The inevitable news that Lionsgate will stretch out the Hunger Games as much as possible is hardly surprising. Especially given that the studio is already widely reported to be eagerly considering ways to further extend or even instantly reboot the vastly profitable Twilight Saga they recently acquired by buying Summit Entertainment.

As Lionsgate hastily rushes into production this September on second instalment Catching Fire, some fans may harbour slight concerns about the studios motives and whether it will affect the quality of the finished films. Water For Elephants Director Francis Lawrence has already replaced Gary Ross, who left amid apparent concerns over the rapid shooting schedule.

The recent addition of respected Oscar Winner Phillip Seymour Hoffman to the cast alongside returning stars Josh Hutcherson, Donald Sutherland and Jennifer Lawrence should give fans some reassurance. Hoffman is set to play new Games Master Plutarch Heavensbee.