The Walking Dead executive producer Frank Darabont is in talks to direct Universal’s The Huntsman , a spinoff of Snow White and the Huntsman according to The Hollywood Reporter . However, it does not appear that all the stars from the original movie will be returning.
Star Pulse reports that both Charlize Theron and Chris Hemsworth will appear in the anticipated sequel, but Kristen Stewart will not be returning. Theron will reprise her role as the evil Queen Ravenna and Hemsworth will take the lead as the Huntsman. The Hollywood Reporter notes that the 24-year-old star won’t be returning for the second movie as it will now be a spin-off not focusing on Snow White as a character but rather focusing heavily on the Huntsman.
I guess Stewart will be eating her words. In 2012, Stewart told the IndieWire she was definitely on board for the sequel saying:
“Oh, it’s gonna be f—in’ amazing. No, I’m so excited about it, it’s crazy…. I’m not allowed [to talk about it]. The other day I said that there was a strong possibility that we’re going to make a sequel, and that’s very true, but everyone was like, ‘Whoa, stop talking about it.’ So no, I’m totally not allowed to talk about it.”
I guess she will have to be excited about it from the movie theater premier seat since she won’t be a part of the new show. Rumors have been swirling that Stewart would not return after the actress found herself in hot water when compromising photos surfaced of her and Snow White and the Huntsman director Rupert Sanders. At the time of the compromising photos, Stewart was dating her Twilight co-star Robert Pattinson and Sanders was married to model Liberty Ross. The affair with Sanders ultimately resulting in the couple’s split .
Many speculated that both Sanders and Stewart would be cut from the Huntsman sequel after the media firestorm that took place following their affair.
Many are wondering though why Darabont has been chosen to direct the sequel, noting that the director hasn’t had a feature film since 2007. However, he does have a strong overall record, in the past he directed hits such as The Shawshank Redemption , The Green Mile , and The Majestic . He did, however, develop and produce the hit television show The Walking Dead, leaving the show in 2011.
What do you think of the new take on The Huntsman ? Will you watch it even though Stewart has been nixed?