Deadline.com's Mike Fleming and Nikke Finke With word circulating that Viggo Mortensen is in talks to play one of the title characters in Snow White and the Huntsman for Universal Pictures, will Twilight Saga's Kristen Stewart end up with playing Snow White? Though the studio has been testing young actresses and no one is set, there are persistent rumors that Stewart looms large as a potential lead. Mortensen surfaces in the lead of that movie after Michael Fassbender committed to the Ridley Scott-directed Prometheus with Noomi Rapace and Charlize Theron. Ironically, Theron is also starring in Huntsmen as the Evil Queen. Stay tuned...
The Hollywood Reporter Is Kristen Stewart the fairest of them all?
The Twilight star is on the list for the role of Snow White in Universal’s Snow White and the Huntsman.
The movie, being directed by Rupert Sanders, is in deep casting mode, with Viggo Mortensen entering negotiations to play the Huntsman earlier Wednesday. Charlize Theron is in negotiations to play the evil queen.
Stewart is a name that Universal has kept coming back to since acquiring the project even as it went through a series of screen tests with actresses such as Riley Keough, Felicity Jones and Alicia Vikander. Emily Browning tested this past weekend (Stewart has reached a point in her career where testing isn't required).
Stewart, arguably one of the biggest stars in the world thanks to the Twilight movies, has focused on indie projects in between the vampire romancers, and this could become her first studio project since becoming a name. It also would put her in the shoes of an iconic character. The Gersh-repped actress is currently shooting the Breaking Dawn movies, but the Snow White team has been making repeated overtures even as late as last week
More from ThePlaylist Update: Deadline reports that Kristen Stewart “looms large as a potential lead” in the role of Snow White in “Snow White And The Huntsman.” Uh, not much more than that other than confirmation of rumors that have been making the rounds, but certainly a much different choice that relatively smaller names that have been mentioned up until now.
That was fast. Michael Fassbender is officially out of Universal‘s hotly-tipped “Snow White and the Huntsman” (he took Ridley Scott‘s “Prometheus” instead) and evidently a replacement has already been found. Viggo Mortensen is reportedly in talks to join in the fantasy re-imagining that newcomer Rupert Sanders is helming. Notice that Charlize Theron is only mentioned to be in talks in Variety‘s report, because, as we’ve been saying for weeks now, she’s not officially locked in like many have assumed (and like Fassbender, she may take a “Prometheus” role which would likely see her exit the project as well).
Written by Evan Daugherty, the script was high up on the 2010 Blacklist pages, and this new spin on the popular fairy tale sees the titular huntsman (Mortensen) being hired by the evil queen (Theron, if she decides to take the role) to track down her runaway stepdaughter, the fairest in all the land. When he realizes that the queen intends to kill Snow White, he helps her escape, and the pair go on the run. Apparently, the huntsman and Snow White will be chained together for a good portion of the film, and there is still a handsome prince who will win the fair lady’s heart.
Actresses such as Riley Keough, Felicity Jones (who now has Sundance buzz from the hit indie “Like Crazy”—it was bought by Paramount), Bella Heathcoat and Alicia Vikander are all up-and-coming actresses that have reportedly been up for the role, but no one has officially nabbed the part yet. “Snow White and the Huntsman” already has a Dec. 21, 2012 release date and is aiming to shoot this summer. Theron and Mortensen co-starred together briefly in “The Road” in 2009.
GossipCop Kristen Stewart's name is at the center of rumors surrounding Snow White and the Huntsman.
Right now, the Twilight Saga actress “looms large” for the title character role, according to Deadline. Due to scheduling conflicts, Viggo Mortensen has become the most likely Huntsman, replacing Michael Fassbender.
Charlize Theron is attached to the project as the Evil Queen. Rupert Sanders is due to direct. Gossip Cop is looking into the Stewart casting rumor, but it’s still extremely early in the process, with most major pieces still in flux.
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CNNShowbiz Kristen Stewart to Play Snow White? Sure, Kristen Stewart can hold her own against vampires and werewolves, but poison apples? We may soon find out, as rumors swirl that the "Twilight" actress is in talks to star in the upcoming thriller "Snow White and the Huntsman."
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Universal has screen tested up-and-comers such as Riley Keough ("The Runaways") and Emily Browning ("Sucker Punch") for the lead in the live-action fairy tale, but is keen on having Stewart, 20, play the damsel in distress.
Though the studio is trying to woo Stewart, she's been shooting the last "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn" film and has not yet committed to the project.
Meanwhile, Viggo Mortensen is reportedly in negotiations to play "Snow White's" titular huntsman, who is the focus of the movie and protects Snow White from the evil queen. Charlize Theron is currently the favorite to play that role.
Coincidentally, Julia Roberts is also set to play the evil queen in a rival film, "The Brothers Grimm: Snow White."
Hollywood.com Kristen Stewart and Viggo Mortensen Lining Up for 'Snow White'
Meanwhile, Snow White's part is a more interesting situation. Sources indicate that Universal has been screen testing untried youths for the iconic role, much like Paramount Pictures did (with great success) for True Grit. However, Heat Vision claims that Kristen Stewart is not only a front runner, but is being aggressively courted by the studio. The Twilight star supposedly is such a commodity that she's not even required to screen test, so she may just need to make her decision and we could have our star.
I could personally see both of these actors in the respective roles. Both are major stars, especially with genre audiences. Their involvement, in addition to Theron's, adds a bit of prestige to an otherwise mainstream project that would be less intriguing with a cast of relative unknowns. Adding in established stars gives it a dynamic that will undoubtedly work in its favor. Stewart, though most known for vampire romances, is a fine actress who's been playing her cards right, taking on lots of indie fare to balance the box office might of The Twilight Saga, while Mortensen is a respected thespian and a bankable lead thanks to The Lord of the Rings and his acclaimed recent work with David Cronenberg.
Snow White and the Huntsmen has been fast tracked by the studio as its already got a December 21st 2012 release date and its competing with Relativity's rival Snow White picture, which has Tarsem Singh at the helm.
MTV HollywoodCrush Kristen Stewart Eyed for Snow White and the Huntsman.' There have been many, many actresses offered the titular role of Snow White in "Snow White and the Huntsman," an upcoming action flick from Universal. First Saoirse Ronan, Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning were offered the part, then Riley Keough (you know, granddaughter of Elvis Presley) was thought to be in the lead. Suddenly Universal changed their minds and decided they wanted to go with a relatively unknown actress (like Felicity Jones or Alicia Vikander), but still there are reports that "Sucker Punch" star Emily Browning tested for the role this weekend.
But apparently, Universal really wants Kristen Stewart. According to The Hollywood Reporter, KStew is the actress that Universal keeps coming back to to portray the fairest of them all. And since she hasn't booked any films for after "Breaking Dawn," this might be the project for her.
Universal is still on the hunt for their Huntsman, though. At first it was supposed to be either Tom Hardy or Johnny Depp, but when both of them passed it seemed that "X-Men: First Class" actor Michael Fassbender was the man for the job. But THR is also reporting that he has passed on the project, and that Viggo Mortensen entered negotiations to play the role on Wednesday.
Fortunately the process for finding the film's evil queen Ravenna has been a bit less complicated. After Angelina Jolie passed on the project, Charlize Theron picked it up. Even though she hasn't signed the paperwork yet, Charlize has stuck with the role for three months, so we hope she doesn't decide to drop it now.
An updated take on the Brothers Grimm tale, "Snow White and the Huntsman" follows Snow White after the evil queen Ravenna calls upon Eric, the huntsman, to try to kill her (think: the beginning of the Disney version). Eric, who is haunted by the death of his wife by a white wolf, goes off to kill the innocent princess but then has a change of heart. He decides to mentor her and teach her to fight off Ravenna, thus turning her into a total badass. The two of them won't serve as love interests (she still has her prince), but apparently they will be chained up to each other for part of the film after they escape a pair of bounty hunters.
I personally think Emily Browning would be better served in this role than Kristen, especially after she displays her kick-butt side in "Sucker Punch." Plus, she has a better look for the role. But I think it's obvious what Universal is trying to do repeatedly turning to Kristen for the part. She is without a doubt one of the hottest young stars in Hollywood right now thanks to "The Twilight Saga," and by bringing her on board they're automatically expanding the audience that will likely be interested in the film.
via KStewAngel