What kind of sign is it when the titular character of a hit movie is suddenly being dropped from the sequel? Probably not a good one, but that is just what Universal is doing with their planned follow-up to Snow White And The Huntsman. The Hollywood Reporter has broken the story that Snow White herself, Kristen Stewart, is being dropped from the project in order for filmmakers to concentrate on a story centering on Chris Hemsworth’s Huntsman character.

With the film now “being reconceived as a spinoff movie,” the studio will be abandoning the script work already done by David Koepp, who is reportedly being settled out of his contract. It is unclear if the studio will bring Koepp back to pitch a story for this new direction. It is also currently unclear as to whether director Rupert Sanders will be back for this second installment with the Reporter stating that they only have once source that would confirm that.

Originally, the studio had been looking to do a pair of sequels to the film before spinning the Hemsworth’s Huntsman character off to his own solo film.

Universal didn’t have an official comment for the Hollywood Reporter, saying through a spokeswoman only that “The studio is currently exploring options to continue the franchise.”

There is no indication as to whether Stewart’s recent tabloid appearances over the revelation that she had an affair with the married Sanders has anything to do with this change in direction. Hemsworth recently has had his box office clout bolstered by The Avengers so it is possible that the studio could be looking to cash in on that. But until someone were to actually state that this was a cause for the change, we’ll leave it to the rumor mongers to traffic in.

1. Snow White And The Huntsman (Universal, @3,700 Theaters, 127 minutes, Rated PG-13): The battle of the Snow White films might have already been won, because this film could eclipse Mirror,Mirror‘s $62 million domestic take with its grosses in this weekend alone.

The film offers a grimy, gritty take on the Snow White legend and also gives Kristen Stewart and Chris Hemsworth a chance to add a new franchise to add to their resumes.

But the fact that Mirror, Mirror was a disappointment (it’s domestic box office was less than its $85 million budget, but it made another $97 million overseas, so it might have just made its money back) might make the powers behind this one a bit worried. I guess we’ll see on Monday if audiences are dead set against a non-Disney Snow White or not.

Snow White And The Huntsman (June 1) I have to say that I find it hard to believe out of the two duelling cinematic takes on the Snow White the one that looked more visually compelling would not turn out to be Tarsem Singh’s Mirror, Mirror, but this film from new comer director Rupert Sanders. Thanks to Disney’s ultra-cuddly animated classic, people have forgotten that the story has some dark underpinnings but this definitely looks as if it aims to remind them of that. (In case they miss the PG-13 rating.) Drop in Chris Hemsworth, subbing out his Thor hammer for an ax, as the titular huntsman going after Kristen Stewart’s Snow White at the behest of evil queen Charlize Theron and add Bob Hoskins, Nick Frost and Toby Jones among the seven dwarves for spice and you have got the makings for a really good film. – Rich Drees

Prometheus (June 8) To say that most people were skeptical of Fox’s first announcement that they were developing a prequel to their classic Alien franchise may be an understatement. And considering how that franchise has puttered out with the fairly terrible duo of Alien Vs Predator films, it was hard not to blame them. But then something happened. The director of the original film Ridley Scott became involved and then the project slowly evolved from being a prequel to another story set in the same universe that would share some “DNA” with the original film. Now I’ve had friends who have criticized the trailers for looking too much like an Alien retread – Spaceship crew lands on mysterious planet, discover alien lifeform, much running and screaming ensue – but I have to believe that Scott has something far more deeper and smarter than that in store for us. -RD

Rock Of Ages (June 15) When Rock of Ages opened on Off-Broadway in 2008. I didn’t give it much of a chance to succeed. It’s well-worn star-crossed lovers plot set against the rock clubs of the Sunset Strip didn’t seem the type of show New Yorkers would go for, even if it didn’t feature a score provided by an iPod Shuffle full of 1980′s Hard Rock hits. But succeed it did, moving to Broadway in 2009 where it still resides, and it has made it to the big screen before many other high profile musicals–most notably Wicked.

The biggest thing about the film seems to be the curiousity surrounding Tom Cruise making his musical debut as washed up hair band singer Stacee Jaxx. But the original musical had less going for it and is still going strong. This film could be the surprise of the summer.  - William Gatevackes

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (June 22) I didn’t expect much out of this film other than it being a tounge in cheek piffle. However, the ads for the film look good. Really good. Granted, the film cannot be all that serious. I mean, it portrays our most iconic President as a male Buffy. But it appears to be slightly more than just one note.  - WG

Brave (June 22) Cars 2 was a critical disappointment for Pixar. Not that Disney even noticed, the film was one of the Top Ten highest grossing films of 2011. But it showed a chink in the armor of the usually dependable output from Pixar and some might be worried that it was the first step in the downward spiral of diminishing quality. From what I’ve seen of this film, I think Cars 2 more an abberation than a warning sign. This film seems utterly charming and even the trailer evoked an emotional response from me. It appears to be a return to form for Pixar. – WG

GI Joe: Retaliation (June 29) I can’t wait for this film since I…wait, what? Really? Nevermind.- WG

Ted (June 29) – Judging by the red band trailer, this story about a grown man and his living teddy bear will be just as profane as one would expect from Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane. Mark Wahlberg has made a few stabs at doing comedy before but this looks like it might actually be the film where he scores a hit. Also, in a summer full of big budget tentpole action pics an original high concept comedy could be just the cinematic sorbet we need in the middle of the summer movie season. – RD

1. Wrath Of The Titans (Warner Brothers, More Than 3,500 Theaters, 99 Minutes, Rated PG-13): Well, here’s something you don’t see everyday–a sequel to a remake. 2010′s Clash of the Titans was one of the first films where international grosses played a part in making it a hit. It made a paltry $163 million domestically versus a $125 million budget, but its $330 million take overseas is what help bring this sequel around.

Sam Worthington is back as Perseus, who is back in the Titan fighting business when Hades and Ares conspire with the Titans to capture Zeus in order to wrestle power from him. Perseus is tasked with trying to free Zeus and save the world.

Jonathan Liebesman replaces Louis Leterrier as director, but many of international cast that compose the main players, including Liam Neeson and Ralph Finnes, return.  This should mean that the film will have as good a run overseas as the first one did. FYI, Liebesman will be directing that controversial Ninja Turtles film, so if you TMNT fans want to start your boycotts early, start them here.

2. Mirror Mirror (Relativity, @3,200 Theaters, 106 Minutes, Rated PG): In case you haven’t been reading FilmBuffOnline as much as you should, there will be two Snow White themed films being released this year. Both feature twists on the fairy tale where Snow White a more active role in opposing the evil queen and both feature an Academy Award-winning actresses playing the queen.

This film hits first and features America’s sweetheart Julia Roberts playing said queen and Lily Collins playing Snow. Snow White and the Huntsman open June 1st and features Kristen Stewart playing Snow White and Charlize Theron as the Queen.

Which one should you see? Well, that depends on what kind of new take on Snow White suits your fancy. This one is the lighter of the two, and might skew closer to the Disney film in tone.  Snow White and the Huntsman appears to be darker and more violent of the two. Something to consider if you are taking the kiddies with you.

The casting train for Warner Brothers live action version of the classic anime Akira keeps chugging along. We know that Garrett Hedlund is being considered for the lead and that Helena Bonham Carter and Gary Oldman have been offered roles. Now it is being reported that Kristen Stewart has been offered the lead role of Kei.

In addition to being the love interest of Kaneda (Hedlund), Kei is also leader of an underground movement that is rebelling against the military leadership of the futuristic city-state in which the story takes place.

Honestly, this is a terrible idea and one that smacks of Warners casting more for marquee value than for acting ability. Setting aside the Twilight films, which don’t really even deserve contemplation, Stewart hasn’t really delivered much of a performance in any of the films that I’ve seen her in. I had hoped that she would be able to step up her game for the upcoming Snow White And The Huntsman, but the trailer seems to indicate that it will be more of her usual standing there with her mouth slightly agape. If she is going to be part of this film here’s hoping that director Jaume Collet-Sera can drag a decent performance out of her.

Via Twitch.

Now that Universal has found its Huntsman in the form of Chris Hemsworth for their fairy tale adaption Snow White And The Huntsman, the studio is moving aggressively to get their film into theaters before a rival Snow White project from Relativity.

Universal announced late yesterday that they were moving the film from its planned December 2012 release berth forward six months to June 1. This puts its release just four weeks before the scheduled release of Relativity’s currently untitled, Tarsem Singh-directed Snow White film on June 29.

Snow White And The Huntsman will be taking the spot on Universal’s release schedule that had been reserved for Judd Apatow’s next, untitled comedy. That film is getting moved back to Snow White‘s former December spot.

In a joint press release statement Universal Chairman Adam Fogelson and Co-Chairman Donna Langley said -

As [director] Rupert [Sanders] and [producer] Joe [Roth] were finalizing casting and preproduction of Snow White and the Huntsman, we realized that the ambitious and fully-formed world they had promised was blowing away all expectations.. .We’re thrilled that Universal will be bringing this singular version of a timeless story almost seven months earlier than anticipated.

But setting aside the usual PR platitudes, it actually looks like Universal is taking a cue from 2005/2006′s  race between the two films based on the life of writer Truman Capote and his authorship of the book In Cold Blood – Capote (2005) and Infamous (2006). Capote hit theaters first, winning critical praise and an Academy Award for star Philip Seymour Hoffman. Infamous was unable to escape the previous film’s shadow and barely registered on anyone’s radar when it was released a few months afterwards.

But having the pole position doesn’t always guarantee the best box office. The summer of 1998 famously saw the release of two end-of-the-world-via-asteroid/comet blockbusters, Deep Impact and Armageddon. And while Deep Impact had an almost two-month jump out of the gate over Armageddon, it was the latter film that did the better business.

Relativity was the first to announce a Snow White project back in June of 2010, when it acquired Melissa Wallack’s spec script. The studio soon got Tarsem Singh attached and then landed the casting coup of Julia Roberts signing on to play the Evil Queen. Lily Collins and Armie Hammer round out the cast as Snow White and the Prince respectively.

Universal, meanwhile, got into the fairy tale business after it acquired Evan Daugherty ‘s Black List-placing script. Their project heated up with the casting of Kristen Stewart in the role of Snow White and Charlize Theron in the role of the Queen, though seemed to stall for a while it cycled through numerous candidates for the Huntsman. That was finally resolved this weekend with the hiring of Hemsworth.

Both films are scheduled to go into production fairly soon, and it now looks as if they’ll be sprinting as hard as they can towards their respective finish lines. But it remains to be seen if Relativity will back off from their June 29, 2010 release date or go mano a mano with Universal in thirteen month’s time.

Via The Hollywood Reporter.

Confused over the different Snow White film projects currently being developed by the studios? Here’s a handy primer to the three different potential films, ranked in the order of likelihood of arrival at your local Cineplex.

The Brothers Grimm: Snow White – By signing Julia Roberts this week to play the Evil Queen, smaller studio Relativity Media has stepped up to the plate big time in their determination to bring their version of the story to the big screen. Also in this film’s favor is director Tarsem Singh, the stunning visualist behind The Cell, The Fall and the upcoming The Immortals. Roberts is the only cast member so far announced, though it would be safe to assume that casting sessions are underway for the title role, as cameras are expected to roll on the film next month for a targeted 2012 release.

Snow White And The Huntsman – Also looking at a 2012 release is Universal’s entry into the Snow White sweepstakes. This version, from screenwriter Evan Daugherty, digs deep into the time Snow is on the run from the Evil Queen and her relationship with the Huntsman whom the Queen has sent to kill her. It is further along in terms of casting than Relativity’s film with Kristen Stewart and Viggo Mortensen in the title roles and Charlize Theron as the Evil Queen. Unless they rush through post-production though, its planned summer shooting will put its planned 2012 release months after Brothers Grimm: Snow White.

Snow And The Seven – Disney’s proposed take on the material certainly sounds like the most interesting of the three Snow White projects, but it is also the one that is furthest off from getting into production. This version transplants the story from its generic European setting to China in the 1880s and changes the seven dwarves into seven warriors. Toy Story 3‘s Michael Arndt has just been brought in by the studio to pen a rewrite of the screenplay for director Francis Lawrence (Constantine, I Am Legend). There’s no firm casting announced for the film, though Natalie Portman was linked to it at one point. But with a release not scheduled until 2013, Disney has some time yet.

I have to say that in all honestly, all three projects have some interesting things to recommend them, be it Singh as director on Relativity’s project, Daugherty’s solid script for Universal or the change in setting for Disney’s. Often in cases where multiple studios are developing similar projects, someone blinks and one or more potential films never get made. If all three films do get made, perhaps that winner of this particular race will be audiences.

Kristen Stewart has moved from being considered for the role of Snow White in Universal’s Snow White And The Huntsman to receiving a an offer to star in the film. The offer reportedly went out to the Runaways actress this past weekend. Stewart beat out Riley Keough, Felicity Jones and Alicia Vikander and Emily Browning for the part.

Scripter Evan Daugherty’s take on the popular fairy tale tells the story of the Huntsman sent by the Evil Queen to kill Snow White but instead he takes pity on her and teaches her the way of the forest before she meets her handsome prince. Viggo Mortensen is signed for the role of the Huntsman and Charlize Theron is set to play the Evil Queen. No one has been mentioned in connection with the part of the prince.

Via The Hollywood Reporter.

Viggo Mortensen and Kristen Stewart are up for title roles in Universal’s Snow White And The Huntsman. I’ll leave it to you to figure out which actor is up for which role.

Mortesen is currently in negotiations to appear in the film, knocking out of contention the likes of Tom Hardy and Johnny Depp.

Although Stewart is not in talks with the studio yet, though Variety is reporting that Universal is considering the actress after reviewing screen tests from Riley Keough, Felicity Jones and Alicia Vikander and Emily Browning.

Evan Daugherty’s take on the popular fairy tale tells the story of the Huntsman who is sent by the Evil Queen to kill Snow White but instead has pity on her and teaches her the way of the forest before she meets her handsome prince. Charlize Theron is already in talks to play the Evil Queen. No one has been mentioned in connection with the part for the prince.

Universal and director Rupert Sanders are hoping to have production underway this summer for a December 21, 2012 release. The studio is racing to get their film into before the several competing Snow White projects at other studios.

The history of rock and roll is littered with bands who briefly burned bright and fierce, momentarily capturing the public’s attention before flaming out equally as fast, and as quickly forgotten. Many of their stories chart similar courses, flavored by the various participants involved. Unfortunately, it is hard to tell if the tale of the Los Angeles group of rock and roll Lolitas, the Runaways, is interesting or not, because the new movie chronicling their meteoric rise and equally swift fall can’t seem to decide what story it wants to tell.

The Runaways is a rambling affair, never quite settling on what it wants to be the focus of its story. Is it interested in the story of band? Guitarist and co-founder Joan Jett? Lead singer Cherie Currie? Jett’s and Currie’s friendship? It tried to be a bit of each at various times, but the end result is definitely less than the sum of its parts. Presumably, the movie is supposed to be about Currie, as it is based on her memoir Neon Angel. Strictly speaking, Currie seems to get the most screen time and we see the effects of quick fame on her the most. But if this is to be the rock and roll cautionary tale it suggests it is at time, why do we only see the negative side of the girls’ hard partying and drug use impacting only Currie when we are shown Jett living it up just as hard?

The film’s title, however, would lead one to believe it is the story of the whole band which it definitely is not. As a document about the whole band, the movie fails dramatically. After their introduction, the other three girls in the group are quickly regulated into the background, nothing more than glorified extras. They only re-emerge for the few times when the script needs them to heighten the drama and tensions between everyone. Jett gets more screen time than a supporting character usually does, but the part doesn’t seem to be quite as strong a presence in the film to be a true co-lead. It feels as like the filmmakers wanted to tell Currie’s story, but pumped up the character of Jett just enough to help market the movie better.

Ultimately, it is the film’s lack of cohesion that makes it difficult to engage with anything happening on the screen.

Despite its haphazard organization, the film gives plenty of material for Dakota Fanning to draw from for her performance as Cherie. As Jett, Stewart manages to find a bit of life in an underdeveloped and underwritten character. (At least her time in the Twilight series has taught her something.) While we see much of Currie’s home life which drives her character, we barely get a glimpse of Jett’s background.

The most interesting character turns out to be the theatrical and quite possibly just a bit crazy record producer Kim Fowley, the Svengali behind the band’s success. The always dependable and versatile Michael Shannon plays him with gusto, but stops just short of making him cartoony. Unfortunately, the character is not on screen enough to save the film or make it worth recommending.