Not too long ago, Tommy Wirkola, writer / director of DEAD SNOWs 1&2 and HANSEL & GRETEL: WITCH HUNTERS, indicated that he’d finished a script for a HANSEL & GRETEL sequel. At the time, it sounded like the project was chugging nicely forward - provided studios remained interested and whatnot.
Potentially returning star Jeremy Renner (Hansel) even went on record around the same time, expressing his openness to reprising his role.
Well, who the hell knows what’s up with the film now? Seems Wirkola is presently indicating that he won’t be directing the picture after all - stating only that ‘he hopes to remain involved with it.’
“I’ve just decided to not direct HANSEL & GRETEL 2,” Wirkola tells Fango, seemingly shortly after the call was made. And while Wirkola speaks highly of his studio experience elsewhere in the interview (coming to Fango soon), the filmmaker sounds as if he’s struck with sequel fatigue.
“I have been lately attached to a few more things, it’s just a matter of time and priorities.” he continues. “I did DEAD SNOW 1, then HANSEL & GRETEL 1, and then DEAD SNOW 2. I want to do something a little bit different now and not just do sequels. I did write the script and I hope to be involved in it. But yeah, I won’t be directing it.”
…Wirkola tells Fangoria HERE.
With Wirkola not in the chair, who might be a good successor? Or, will his decision signify the unravelling of a picture whose future always felt strangely hazy to begin with?
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Glen Oliver
“Merrick”
