Director Gary Ross has bailed out of The Hunger Games franchise and will not be working on the sequel, Catching Fire.

Apparently negotiations for the sequel fell through when agreement could not be reached on scheduling and compensation.

“Despite recent speculation in the media, and after difficult but sincere consideration, I have decided not to direct ‘Catching Fire,'” Ross said in a statement. “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 explained, “Contrary to what has been reported, negotiations with Lionsgate have not been problematic. They have also been very understanding of me through this difficult decision.”