It’s official. Gary Ross, the director of super box office hit “The Hunger Games” isn’t signing on for its sequel “Catching Fire.”

Even though the film has so far earned more than $373 million for Lionsgate in worldwide revenue, the studio refused to accept Ross’ demands for a higher salary.

The Hollywood Reporter says that in spite of the director’s’ veteran status in the movie industry, his compensation for The Hunger Games  was set at $3 million and five percent of the movie’s gross profit. On top of that,  Ross also co-wrote the film’s screenplay, which made his total paycheck  look even smaller so he refused to get on board for the sequel unless his demands were met.

According to The Playlist,  compensation wasn’t the only thing Ross was uncertain about.  The Pleasantville and Seabisucit director didn’t want to repeat himself, so it seems The Hunger Games franchise will follow the paths of the hugely successful Harry Potter and Twilight Series, which switched directors with nearly every film.

Ross said he has another script written for the sequel.

Lionsgate, which has a history of financial ups and downs as its stock price has indicated publicly is well known in the industry for not paying filmmakers according to the prevaling market rate.

The screenplay of Catching Fire has already been completed by Simon Beaufoy and the follow-up flick is scheduled to hit US theatres on the big Thanksgiving holiday weekend next year.