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Paramount Developing a Sequel to 'Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters'

by Ethan Anderton
March 18, 2013

Though the film might have been laughed off at the box office in the United States (it still pulled in nearly $55 million), but worldwide, the bloody, R-rated horror fantasy action romp Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters has pulled in over $205 million. That's enough for Paramount Pictures to announce that they're planning a sequel. All of this comes after the film was delayed for over year and being thrown in the not-so-coveted January release window. But the film cost $50 million, and Gemma Arterton and Jeremy Renner were apparently enough to earn that budget back over four times. But where will the sequel go?

As of now, there's no word on a plot or whether or not Tommy Wirkola will return to write and direct the sequel. In addition, Arterton and Renner aren't confirmed to return for the film, but Deadline says producers Will Ferrell, Adam McKay and Kevin Messick from Gary Sanchez Productions are expected to be involved along with producer Beau Flynn. Honestly, though the film won't win any major awards (except for maybe make-up and effects), it was a mindless, fun film and I laughed my ass off in theaters. The film seemed to know it was a senseless fantasy what with the antique record player and diabetes cues.

The sequel could open the door for other twisted fairytale characters. Maybe Jack the Giant Killer (since he failed on his own at the box office) could be brought in as a drunk who no one believes has fought giants. But Hansel & Gretel come along to take care of something and get caught up with him in some kind of adventure. There's plenty of other options ripe for a revisionist spin, and I hope it's just as silly as the first.

Filed under Development, Movie News

From around the web:

http://www.facebook.com/chris.groves.507 Chris Groves

this movie was FAR better than I expected. It was violent, funny, and entertaining...so naturally, it was probably going to be shredded by critics. Not sure if I'm dying for a sequel...but there is room for improvement and to do interesting things with it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7YGEVuJ4mM Carpola

I thought it was pretty good.
Tim A.

Hmm, sorry to be so annoying, but that's not how you calculate if a movie is financially successful.. Studios will get only about 15% of foreign gross, compared to about 50% of inland ticket money. And the budget generally doesn't account for marketing costs which are usually at least as high, more often than not even higher.. So while the movie was successful (and Horror flicks make a lot of money on home video too, yes there's also other stuff) it's not "that" successful.
Last Son

Great film. Bring on the sequal.