2012 is undoubtedly going to be the year of the fairy tale, with an avalanche of contemporary takes heading to our multiplexes and TV screens.

We’ve already had previews of SNOW WHITE & THE HUNTSMAN, MIRROR MIRROR, GRIMM, ONCE UPON A TIME, and while we await more information on PAN, JACK THE GIANT KILLER and OZ: THE GREAT AND POWERFUL (to name but a few), we can enjoy the first look at HANSEL AND GRETEL: WITCH HUNTERS which Entertainment Weekly have just broke…

Of all the projects heading our way, we must say this is the one we’re rooting for most. Set many years after the siblings crossed paths with the cannibalistic witch and her gingerbread house, the film sees Gemma Arterton (QUANTUM OF SOLACE) and Jeremy Renner (THE AVENGERS) portraying the pair as vengeance seeking badasses hellbent on ridding the world of all remaining witches.

The movie is even described by Arterton herself as having a very dark, bloodthirsty, Quentin Tarantino-esque tone. Sold!

As well as Arterton and Renner, other stars include the excellent Famke Janssen (X-MEN), Peter Stormare (FARGO), and Zoe Bell (DEATH PROOF). Tommy Wirkola, of 2009’s German cult zombie flick DEAD SNOW directs from the screenplay co-written by himself and first-timer Dante Harper.

Stay tuned for the first trailer, which Paramount promise will hit next Thursday.

HANSEL AND GRETEL: WITCH HUNTERS is released March 2nd 2012.

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