Shortly afterHansel & Gretel: Witch Huntershit theaters in January 2013, Paramount Pictures announced asequelwas happening. While the action-thriller starringJeremy RennerandGemma Artertononly made $55.7 million domestically, it did much better overseas, with its foreign gross of $170.6 million giving the movie a $226.3 million worldwide total, from just a $50 million budget. After spending the last two years in development,Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters 2is finally moving forward, with French filmmakerBruno Aveillantaking over for original directorTommy Wirkola. While it isn’t known when production will begin, we do have a look at some new artwork that shows how the film may have looked hadBruno Aveillannot won the job.
The artwork comes from Steven Ilous, a visual effects artist turned director, who reveals on his official website that he was in contention to directHansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters 2earlier this year, beforeBruno Aveillanlanded the job. The artwork teases new plot developments from the script, originally written byHansel & Gretel: Witch Hunterswriter-directorTommy Wirkola, which was later reworked byMichael Finch(Hitman: Agent 47). Here’s what Steven Ilous had to say.
“In 2015, I was sent the latest draft of the sequel toHansel & Gretel: Witch Huntersfor consideration to direct. Here at glance is a small look into my director presentation which consisted of original character designs, key art, storyboards, animatics, and a maquette. I had such a great time working with closely withVincent Van Dykefrom VVDFX,Bryan Wynia,Darek Zabrocki,Jonathan Gesinski, and the academy nominatedMike Elizaldefrom Spectral Motion. It was a great honor to be considered for this film.”
While it isn’t known if this is still the official title or not, the director’s logo reveals the sequel is called Hansel & Gretel: Death’s Messengers. The artwork reveals a number of different undead characters, plus a new character known as the High Priestess. Since the filmmaker was in contention for this project earlier this year, it seems likely the High Priestess is still a character in the most recent script, but unfortunately, we don’t know anything else about her.
Jeremy RennerandGemma Artertonare expected to reprise their title roles inHansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters 2, but it isn’t known when production may get under way.Jeremy Rennerrecently wrapped production onCaptain America: Civil Waras Hawkeye, a role he will reprise inAvengers: Infinity War Part IandAvengers: Infinity War - Part II, which will start shooting in late 2016. He is also attached to star in anUntitled Jeremy Renner Bourne Sequel, a follow-up to 2012’sThe Bourne Legacy, but it isn’t known when shooting will begin on that project. While we wait for more details onHansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters 2, check out Steven Ilous' artwork for his version of the sequel below.
