OK, enough already. How many new versions of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” do we really need? Probably none, but certainly no more than one. But, instead, there are three – yes, THREE – in the works, and from the news this week it looks like all three are actually going to be produced.
Kristen “Bella” Stewart is apparently at the top of the list to play Snow White in “Snow White and the Huntsman” (Universal). Viggo Mortensen has already signed-on to play the Huntsman, with Charlize Theron as the evil queen.
Then there’s “The Brothers Grimm: Snow White” (Relativity Media). Julia Roberts is reportedly in talks to play the evil queen. No word on who’ll get to be SW in this one.
And Disney also has a new Snow White in the works. It was announced this week that Michael Arndt, who’s up for an Oscar for the “Toy Story 3” screenplay, will write “Snow White and the Seven”, which will be a live-action version of their animated classic. The SW role has not been cast, though Natalie Portman had been rumored (pre-baby).
I can’t imagine that all three of these projects will make it to theaters, but if they do, it certainly won’t be good news for movie fans. Hollywood is proving, once again, that it simply can’t come-up with good, ORIGINAL ideas for films. The box office success of Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland” can be blamed for all these Snow White projects. Another reason to add to my list for not liking that film.
Personally, I’d like to see a version of Snow White in which the princess is a senior citiizen, so we could find out what she’s been doing all these years. And she would be played by…Betty White. Or I’d rather see a new Disney animated version that picks up right where the original left off. Back in the 1940’s, Disney was actually thinking of doing an animated “SW” sequel, as I found out on the “Snow White” Blu-ray pack last year.
But now the big question is: Who are the 21 actors who are going to play the dwarfs?