The I Am Legend filmmaker - who replaced Gary Ross at the helm of the series - is currently in production on The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, due to open in cinemas on November 22, 2013.
News of Francis's return to the final Hunger Games instalments was broken by Collider.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 will debut on the big screen on November 21, 2014, while Part 2 will follow on November 20, 2015.
The film, based on the third book in Suzanne Collins's best-selling series, will see Jennifer Lawrence become "the Mockingjay" - Panem's symbol of rebellion against the Capitol.
Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Elizabeth Banks and Donald Sutherland are all expected to reprise their roles in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay.
Photo gallery - The Hunger Games: Catching Fire: Meet the Cast:
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire cast gallery: Jennifer Lawrence will reprise her role as Katniss Everdeen.
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Copyright: PA Images Thomas Padilla/AP
