Sci-Fi Film and Television Developments

Snow White and the Huntsman

6/21/11 - Ian McShane has signed to play one of the dwarfs in Universal’s Snow White and the Huntsman movie, according to The Hollywood Reporter.  The project, being directed by Rupert Sanders, features Snow White as a princess who escapes her evil stepmother with the help of a huntsman who was to have killed her but now trains the princess to survive and fight back.  The movie is on track for an August production start. Universal will release the film in theaters June 1, 2012.  McShane will play Caesar, the leader of the dwarfs. Universal is in the process of casting the rest of his crew.

5/16/11 - Universal announced a June 1, 2012 release for Snow White and the Huntsman. The film will star Kristen Stewart and Chris Hemsworth in the title roles.  That date will likely not sit well with executives at Relativity Media, which previously nailed down the opening date for its tale, now untitled but formerly known as Brothers Grimm: Snow White, on June 29, 2012.  Both companies had been developing competing versions of the classic fairy tale, vying for top actors as well as production start dates.

5/9/11 - Variety reported that Universal Studio has put out an offer to Chris Hemsworth as the lead in Snow White and the Huntsman opposite Kristen Stewart, who's locked for the iconic fairy tale character. Studio had no comment on talks.  The project has always revolved around the relationship between the title character and the huntsman, who's ordered to kill the heroine by the evil queen (Charleze Theron). In this version, the huntsman decides instead to help the girl escape, becoming her protector and mentor.  Sam Claflin will play the young prince and love interest of the Snow White character. Rupert Sanders attached to direct, with Evan Daugherty penning the script and Roth and Palak Patel producing.

3/25/11 - Variety reported that Viggo Mortensen will not take the male lead in Snow White and the Huntsman.  Produced by Joe Roth and directed by Rupert Sanders, stars include Kristen Stewart and Charlize Theron. It was scheduled to start shooting sometime this fall and set for a Dec. 21, 2012, release.

1/26/11 – Variety reported that Viggo Mortensen is in talks to star in Universal's Snow White and the Huntsman.  Rupert Sanders will helm with Evan Daugherty writing and Joe Roth producing.  In this new version, the huntsman (who was originally supposed to kill Snow White but ends up letting her go) becomes her protector as they try to escape from the evil queen who ordered her death. Charlize Theron is in talks to play the queen.  The film is set to shoot sometime this summer with a Dec. 21, 2012 release date.

12/14/10 - There's big movement on Snow White and the Huntsman, Universal's take on the suddenly hot fairy tale, according to The Hollywood Reporter.  The studio is in talks with Charlize Theron to play the evil queen, and is eyeing Michael Fassbender as the titular stalker.  As for Snow White, the studio initially thought of going with known actresses but is now leaning toward going with a relative unknown.

AlienAlmanac.com  -  Living Among You Since 2004