Snow White and The Huntsman 2

[The Ultimate Nullifier]

www.deadline.com/2014/06/huntsman-2-helmer-short-list-frank-darabont-gavin-oconnor-andy-muschietti/

While all eyes have been on who’ll ultimately direct Ant-Man, Universal is getting down to finding a helmer for Snow White And The Huntsman 2. I’m hearing the short list consists of Frank Darabont, Gavin O’Connor and Andy Muschietti. Rupert Sanders helmed the first film, which grossed close to $400 million worldwide, a result that almost guarantees a second installment even if the first cost $170 million or so. This is an intriguing group of filmmakers. Darabont, after helming The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile, hatched The Walking Dead and helped forged it into cable TV’s top rated drama before getting fired. He hasn’t helmed a feature since 2007′s The Mist. Then there is O’Connor, who directed the cult favorite film Warrior as well as Miracle, and who stepped in and saved the Natalie Portman-starrer Jane Got A Gun. Then there is Muschietti, the Mama helmer who was tapped by Universal to reboots its The Mummy franchise, before he fell out of that project. Universal and Roth Films are trying to have the movie for 2016–Chris Hemsworth had to say no to the Legendary science fiction film Brilliance because he’s slotted to reteam with Kristen Stewart and do this sequel after Avengers 2–so a decision should be made soon. Stay tuned.

As for Ant-Man, Marvel has gone radio silent after heated press reports that Adam McKay would direct, and then equally heated reports a day later that he wasn’t going to do it after all. Right now, the favorite is Dodgeball and We’re The Millers helmer Rawson Thurber, but names like Nicholas Stoller and Michael Dowse are also making the rounds.

[The Ultimate Nullifier]

variety.com/2014/film/news/frank-darabont-in-talks-to-direct-snow-white-and-the-huntsman-spinoff-1201251793/

“The Walking Dead” creator Frank Darabont is in talks to direct a spinoff to the box-office hit “Snow White and the Huntsman,” which would focus on the Huntsman character Chris Hemsworth played in the original.

Sources tell Variety Kristen Stewart may appear in the film but the role would be very small, possibly a cameo.

Joe Roth returns as a producer.

“Snow White and the Huntsman” made nearly $400 million at the worldwide box-office and with Hemsworth becoming one of Hollywood’s biggest draws, the studio saw an opportunity for something new and fresh after Darabont pitched them an story idea that centered around that character.

Darabont last directed “The Mist” starring Thomas Jane. He is repped by CAA.

TheWrap first reported the news.

[The Ultimate Nullifier]

variety.com/2015/news/frank-darabont-leaves-universals-the-huntsman-1201407711/

Frank Darabont Leaves Universal’s ‘The Huntsman’

“The Walking Dead” creator Frank Darabont has departed “The Huntsman,” Universal’s spinoff to 2012’s “Snow White and the Huntsman.”

Darabont left the project over creative differences for the fantasy action movie, which will focus on the Huntsman character Chris Hemsworth played in the original.

Universal is keeping the April 22, 2016, release date.

Joe Roth returns as a producer. “Snow White and the Huntsman” made nearly $400 million at the worldwide box office with Hemsworth, Charlize Theron and Kristen Stewart starring.

The news was first reported by Deadline.com.

[The Ultimate Nullifier]

variety.com/2015/film/news/cedric-nicolas-troyan-to-replace-frank-darabont-as-huntsman-director-1201410256/

Cedric Nicolas-Troyan to Replace Frank Darabont as ‘Huntsman’ Director

VFX specialist Cedric Nicolas-Troyan is set to replace Frank Darabont as director of Universal’s “Snow White and the Huntsman” spinoff starring Chris Hemsworth and Charlize Theron.

Emily Blunt is also in talks to star in the film, with Joe Roth producing and Palak Patel exec producing “The Huntsman.” Website Schmoes Know first reported that Nicolas-Troyan was the top choice to replace Darabont, who left due to creative differences late last week, and sources now confirm that he is in talks.

Plot details are vague beyond that the film reveals how the fates of two characters, the Huntsman Eric and Ravenna, intersected before they met Snow White.

Insiders say Nicolas-Troyan was among the finalists when Universal first started looking for a director for the pic and the decision made sense to go back to him given how well he knows the world, having worked as the VFX supervisor on the first film.

Darabont wrote the current draft of the screenplay, with earlier drafts by Craig Mazin and Evan Spiliotopoulos.

The pic is set to bow on April 22, 2016.

Nicolas-Troyan is currently developing “Bethlehem” for Universal and a reboot of “Highlander” for Summit. He is repped by CAA, Management 360 and Bloom Hergott Diemer Rosenthal LaViolette Feldman Schenkman & Goodman.