Gemma Arterton in Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters

Here’s a project that sounds a little too weird to be true. The Hollywood Reporter has announced Paramount is hard at work trying to make Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters, a reality. It is described as a “dark action movie that picks up with the fairy tale siblings years after the traumatic childhood incident has turned them into bounty hunters.” The role of Hansel is anticipated to go to The Town‘s Jeremy Renner, who is also Hawkeye for Marvel’s The Avengers.

There’s no word on whether actors will use German accents and wear lederhosen, but if THR said it, we tend to believe this is a serious film. It could work. I mean Van Helsing (Hugh Jackman, Kate Beckinsale) was entertaining, right?

The big news is who is said to be joining Renner as his sister, Gretel. I guess they won’t be kissing, right? Its actress Gemma Arterton, a real beauty and a favorite of ours here at BSC. I saw her first as Strawberry Fields in Quantum of Solace, the follow up to Casino Royale. In such a small role, the lady still managed to electrify. It won her an Empire Award for Best Newcomer. Of course, she also starred in Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, the Clash of the Titans remake, and Tamara Drewe.

THR reported, “director Tommy Wirkola (Dead Snow) is hoping to begin shooting the project in Berlin March 7th” and Arterton beat out Diane Kruger (Inglourious Basterds), Eva Green (Casino Royale) and Noomi Rapace (The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, the original) for the role. Renner, on the other hand is also set to appear in Paramount’s Mission: Impossible: Ghost Protocol.