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Competing 'Snow White' Casting Includes Julia Roberts and More

by Ethan Anderton
December 13, 2010
Source: Deadline, Heat Vision

While there's actually three different variations on Snow White in development, only two seem to be making progress. Tarsem Singh is set to direct The Brothers Grimm: Snow White for Relativity Media, while Rupert Sanders is directing Snow White and the Huntsman for Universal, but the on-camera talent is now the focus. One of the key roles includes the evil queen and both projects have big talent in their sights. Deadline confirms previously rumored Charlize Theron is negotiating for a villain role in Snow White and the Huntsman, while Julia Roberts could also have the same role in The Brothers Grimm: Snow White.

While The Brothers Grimm: Snow White has more of my attention for putting Juila Roberts in the villain's shoes, it sounds like Snow White and the Hunstman is making much faster progress in casting. In addition to Theron's evil queen, it sounds like the lead male role of the huntsman is also firming up. While names like Johnny Depp and Tom Hardy have been rumored for the part, it's apparently Michael Fassbender (Inglourious Basterds) who is the frontrunner for the part. Nothing is official yet, but both projects are moving very quickly through development, and will likely be neck and neck until the very end. But who will be playing the titular heroine of the story?

Well, Snow White and the Huntsman seems to have the leg up in that department as well. Heat Vision has word on the shortlist for young actresses who could nab the coveted role. Apparently Universal initially thought about using a known young actress like Dakota Fanning or Saoirse Ronan, but now they seem to be on the lookout for a relatively unknown talent to launch their career with the role (similar to the Mia Wasikowsa's turn in Alice in Wonderland). The considered names include Riley Keough (The Runaways), Felicity Jones (The Tempest), Bella Heathcoat (from Australia's "Neighbours"), and Alicia Vikander (a Swedish TV actress). However, there's no guarantee that any of these young ladies will have the part, and Universal may actually end up going with a known talent anyway.

Anyway, it will be interesting to see how each of these projects fares in the long run, especially when they're so obviously racing each other to the theatrical finish line. It wouldn't be the first time similar projects have gone head-to-head in the same calendar year after battles like The Illusionist vs. The Prestige or Deep Impact vs. Armageddon. Frankly the more promising of the projects seems to be The Brothers Grimm: Snow White with stylistic and visually masterful Tarsem Singh (director of The Fall) behind the new take on the classic story. I guess we'll all find out soon enough. Which Snow White projects sounds better to you?

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