Universal Moving Forward with Snow White and the Huntsman Sequel
Posted 06.08.12 by Ryan
From before it opened, Universal has wanted to make a franchise out of Snow White and the Huntsman. Whether it was the star power of Twilight's Kristen Stewart and Academy Award–winner Charlize Theron and the growing stardom of The Avengers' Chris Hemsworth, or the expanded fairy tale universe created by director Rupert Sanders, the studio has sniffed sequels. As early as last July, producer Joe Roth admitted that Snow White and the Huntsman was being planned as the "first in a series of films," yet, prior to its June 1 opening, Universal was reportedly preparing for a potential lackluster performance at the box office, with tracking well below the studio's hopes, especially after bombing out with board game movie Battleship.
When Snow White and the Huntsman opened at the top of the box office last weekend, earning $56.3 million, Universal had to breathe a sigh of relief. Now, with the movie currently at $118 million worldwide, the studio is moving forward with a sequel.
According to Deadline, Snow White and the Huntsman's opening weekend pleased the studio, with Universal "making all the moves that indicate another chapter is in the offing." In fact, a sequel is reportedly being fast-tracked, with Universal hiring screenwriter David Koepp (Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull) to write the sequel script. Now all the studio has to do is convince Sanders to return.
The report points out that, while all the actors in the movie have options in their contracts for sequels, Sanders does not. Reportedly, Sanders is interested in a return, but has not decided on his next project. Recently, Sanders admitted (via The Playlist) that he is interested in two projects, one that is based around the DEA's beginnings in 1970s New York and the other a sci-fi remake of the 1966 war movie Battle of Algiers.
Despite its unexpected box office success, Snow White and the Huntsman is still not in the black considering its $170 million budget and extensive promotional campaign. However, with Koepp working on the script, it's clear that Universal is in a franchise state of mind. If the movie continues its hot streak, we'll finally find out what happens to Snow White after she supposedly lives "happily ever after." That's more than Relativity Media can say about their March flop Mirror, Mirror.
Next Showing: Snow White and the Huntsman is currently in theaters