First Look: 'Hansel & Gretel' The Movie
Fairy tales are a proven Hollywood goldmine as seen in repeated adaptations of known ones, where 'Hansel & Gretel' is the latest.
To be shown at theatres on March 2, Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters uses the original folktale as a prologue to the film's actual events that take place on the duo's adulthood.
This time, they arm up and vow to save other siblings that could suffer the fate they had with similarly-evil witches.
EW provides an exclusive photo showing lead stars Gemma Arterton and Jeremy Renner looking all movie star-ish with the gun holding and the dark suits at the middle of the forest, evidence that the two aren't to be fooled with anytime soon.
But before someone dismisses this as another 'Grimm' (the NBC television series), Arterton discusses the approach of the movie as somewhat resembling 'Pulp Fiction'.
"It's also very, very dark, and bloodthirsty and there's a lot of cursing. It's kind of got a [Quentin] Tarantino feel, really," the actress boldly compares.
What's puzzling, however, is how Arterton and Jenner are going to portray their roles without showing any sexual tension, especially when the photo suggests otherwise.
"Jeremy and I found within the script moments where we showed the vulnerable side of them. Often in action movies, people are scared to put that in, I think it was important. Just a couple moments, tender moments, when the guard drops, then you understand," the butt-kicking version of 'Hansel' eerily explains.
That part of the interview alone could be easily misinterpreted, although even her explanation on the siblings' difference doesn't help with the 'it's-not-incest' thing.
She adds, "Gretel is much more in tune with her spiritual side. Hansel is a typical action hero, cheeky, funny, a womanizer. She's much more of a thinker, intense, internal and bit more open-minded than he is."
The film was directed by Norwegian director Tommy Wirkola, who's responsible for 2009's zombie flick 'Dead Snow'. It's produced by Will Ferrell and Adam McKay under Paramount Pictures.
The official trailer will be out next week, so until then, we have yet to judge if this adaptation will be a hit or miss.