Screenwriter Simon Beaufoy (Slumdog Millionaire, 127 Hours) has been confirmed as the screenwriter of The Hunger Games sequel Catching Fire.

We reported back in November that Simon Beaufoy was being sought to write the screenplay. Our earlier report indicated director Gary Ross was planning on writing Catching Fire himself, although his post-production schedule on The Hunger Games has not allowed him any time for screenwriting work.

It is said that Simon Beaufoy is currently at work writing Catching Fire, under Gary Ross' supervision. Gary Ross is returning to direct Catching Fire, with The Hunger Games stars Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson coming back as Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark.

It isn't known when production may begin on Catching Fire, which has been slated for release on November 22, 2013.