In recent weeks, the big news surrounding The Hunger Games has been the success of the first film, followed by the production details of the sequel Catching Fire.

We’ve recently learned that Gary Ross would not be returning to direct, not because of monetary disagreements, but rather because he thought the production schedule was outrageously tight and rushed. And I for one agree.

Most movie sequels usually wait a year or two before coming out. Take a look at X-Men: First Class, the movie [and its sequel] responsible for causing Catching Fire to have to wrap up filming by the end of the year. X-Men: First Class came out in 2011, and its sequel is set for 2013. This has given the movie time to gestate and be made on its own terms.

Successful young adult novel adaptations, on the other hand, often have their sequels pumped out year after year after year. When a movie franchise is pushed and produced in such a short time, it feels more like a money-making ploy than a true appreciation for the work.

Studios believe that they need to pump out these films quickly before the hype does down. The Dark Knight came out in 2008. Its sequel, The Dark Knight Rises is only JUST coming out, 4 years after the fact. Has the hype for the Batman franchise died down? Gone away? No. Yes, around 2010, I’m sure people briefly forgot about it. It had been 2 years since The Dark Knight had its run and there was no real tangible news for The Dark Knight Rises. But if something is amazing, it does not matter how long it takes for it to get released. True fans don’t want some rushed product every year. They are willing to wait for a quality film.

I fear Catching Fire is going to suffer from its rushed schedule. As much as I want to see it right now, I would rather wait til 2014 and have it be amazing. I want to feel the exhilaration of reading positive reviews, seeing it top the box office, hearing it spread through word of mouth, have hope that it may potentially be nominated for an Oscar. It’s going to be hard enough waiting until 2013 for Catching Fire, but I want that wait to be worth it. I would rather wait an extra 6 months and leave the theatre satisfied than catch it in 2013 and be disappointed.