"Hansel & Gretel Witch Hunters" Gearing Up For Release

First look image from Hansel & Gretel Witch Hunters

I haven't seen much on the web about this film yet, there's not even an official movie poster* (Argh! Lack of official visuals to post!), though it's release date is quite near (March 2, 2012) but all that's about to change.

(You can see my original post about this movie from October 2009 HERE - the details on the film start about halfway down.)

We can expect a trailer on Thursday next week and since yesterday, we're getting our first looks at how Hansel and Gretel have grown up.

As Entertainment Weekly puts it: "What kind of adult does a kid become after surviving a trip to a cannibalistic witch’s gingerbread house?"According to Director Tommy Wirkola, that would be fairy tale meets Quentin Tarantino (think very dark), with a somewhat comic edge. Oh, and shotguns.

The (current) official synopsis:

“Fifteen years after their traumatic gingerbread-house incident, siblings Hansel and Gretel have become a formidable team of bounty hunters who track and kill witches all over the world.”

Gretel by Chris Rahn (thanks Roderick!)

The two lead actors are starting to take interviews on the film, explaining a little of what the film will be like and what drew them to the project:

Excerpts from an interview with Jeremy Renner (playing Hansel):

"It's in a wonderful fairy tale world that's a bit gritty, a bit fun. It should be a good ride... Unlike other films of its ilk, "Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters" takes place many years after the fairy tale look place. Let's just say having a witch almost eat them when they were children left the young candy-happy kids a bit emotionally scarred.

"Fairy tale endings. Doesn't it sound like they're supposed to be happy? Well it's not. So it takes Hansel and Gretel, we last left them killing a witch as children after they were left in the forest to die," Renner said, setting up the plot. "It's many years later and they have a grudge against witches so they decide to become bounty hunters and they kill witches for a living. Sounds actually kind of the right thing, I suppose."

 Excerpt from an Entertainment Weekly interview with Gemma Arteron (playing Gretel):

EW: How does this movie incorporate the original Brothers Grimm tale? Is that story kind of a prologue?
Gemma: Yes, it continues it. You see a series of flashbacks with their experience of killing that first witch, which is brilliant. I remember being on set for the final few days of that. The candy house, and the witches are really repulsive and quite frightening. The makeup is out of this world. It’s this bone-chilling scene. Very dark. The girl who plays my character is brilliant, with the horrified expression she has.

“You see a series of flashbacks with their experience of killing that first witch, which is brilliant,” the 25-year-old actress teased. “I remember being on set for the final few days of that. The candy house, and the witches are really repulsive and quite frightening,” she added. “The makeup is out of this world. It’s this bone-chilling scene.” (source for 2nd quote HERE.)

Gemma Arteron & Jeremy Renner on set of Hansel and Gretel Witch Hunters

I recommend reading this interview. Ms. Arteron provides quite a bit of insight into her understanding of fairy tales as well as the movie and her character.

So I'm thinking Buffy and her brother Van Helsing go on witch hunts - but on steroids. It won't be everyone's cup of tea but it may just be mine. ;) I'm looking forward to seeing the trailer next week.

*The one movie poster around is actually from a Michael Bay project (see it HERE) about which we haven't seen much of either. It's easy to see how the details get mixed up.

Advertising: InterfaceFLOR's Once Upon A Tile

Cinderella

"Our latest collections are right on trend so it seemed only natural to promote and showcase them in a way that is equally of the moment.  Modern takes on fables and fairy tales are a major theme this year in movies, social events and design, so we decided to explore this mysterious world and delve into the darker side of some of the best-known children’s fairy tales. The result is a visually stunning, dramatic and edgy backdrop which shows off our new collections to spectacular effect.

Michele Iacovitti, Vice President of Marketing & Branding, InterfaceFLOR EMEAI"

Without doubt, the most intriguing thing about the floors would have to be this ad campaign using well known fairy tales (and their characters) to highlight the floor. 

 

Goldilocks

 

Beauty & the Beast

 The interesting thing is only one of these fairy tales is usually associated with floors (ie. Cinderella) but I thought they did a very nice job of integrating the idea of Goldilocks ending up on the floor and using Hansel & Gretel's forest path.

 

Rapunzel

 

Hansel & Gretel

And it actually works. You do find yourself looking at the floor!

Here's a videos from the campaign - also very nicely done.

Source: HERE.

"Re-enchantment" Special End-Of-Year Offer

 

Hansel & Gretel Re-enchantment postcard

I received an update* from the lovely people who put together the amazing Re-enchantment website and DVD that I posted on recently:

Buy a copy of the Re-enchantment DVD before the end of 2011 and receive a FREE set of six collector postcards – each depicting a scene from the iconic fairy tales featured in Re-enchantment: Red Riding Hood, Bluebeard, Hansel and Gretel, Cinderella, Rapunzel and Snow White.

6 Postcard Set from Re-enchantment

You can order the DVD HERE. (Australia-based customers can order HERE.)

Nice deal, right? I can't wait for mine to arrive!

Need a refresher on why this is a highly recommended purchase? Check out the website with interactive online documentary HERE!

One thing I didn't mention in my previous post is that the website is VERY EASY to navigate. No computer expertise is required - just point and click on things that interest you. :)

Snow White Re-enchantment postcard

* Note: If you tried ordering before and came across glitches, I've also been informed that all those are now fixed and everything is working fine for ordering now, both in Australia and everywhere else.

17 Grimm Tales by Andreas Krapf

 Andreas Kapf is a German illustrator with a quirky sense of humor who  - lucky for us - shared his fairy tale diploma project online. The illustrations were designed specifically to show the harsher side of the more popular Grimm tales and the results have a good chance of tugging a smile out of you.

 

I'm including just a few of the illustrations but be sure to go check out the rest of them HERE and see the included layouts.

 

 

The tales include:

• Little Red Riding Hood
• One-Eye, Two-Eyes & Three-Eyes
• The Boy Who Went Forth To Learn What Fear Was
• The Brave Little Tailor
• The Twelve Brothers
• Rumpelstiltskin
• The Frog King or Iron Henry
• The Wishing Table, the Gold Ass & the Cudgel in the Sack
• Hansel & Gretel
• Hans In Luck
• Mother Hulda
• Sleeping Beauty
• Rapunzel
• Snow White
• Puss in Boots
• Cinderella
• Brother and Sister

 

 

I don't know if this book is available anywhere (in the US or in Germany) but he can be contacted through his business website HERE where he designs t-shirts, posters and art-toys.

Hansel & Gretel Meet Avatar and Transformers?

The degrees of separation between Grimm's Hansel & Gretel and the hit movie Avatar has just gone from 'lots' to '0'. Announced at the end of last month, Avatar lead character designer Joseph C. Pepe will be on the team, specifically designing the witch and additional creatures from German mythology that are being added to the plot and landscape of the film.

From VFXPlanet:

In addition to the infamous witch in the gingerbread house, the film showcases the legendary creatures of German mythology. These Teutonic beings will be designed by Joseph C. Pepe, the lead character designer from Avatar. The film is live action.

Not only that, the Director is Transformers own Michael Bay (also of Pearl Harbor and Armageddon). We are being told to expect: "a 3D action packed visual FX experience."

Hansel and Gretel is currently scheduled for a shoot on location in Germany for spring next year, and to be released at the end of 2011. (source: Dominion)

While some people seem a little dubious about all this, and about all the fairy tale films expected to pop up in the wake of Tim Burton's Alice In Wonderland, I think it has a lot of potential. We'll just have to wait and see...

Note: Click on images to be taken to the sources.

Fairy Tale Felted Wool Art by AndreasFelts

LITTLE RED CAP

(In this scene, the girl more commonly knows as Little Red Riding Hood is on her way to visit grandmother.)

I found these and had to share.

The work is so gorgeous and unique, not only do I want a complete notecard set but I'd love to see these in person. What's more, the artist, Andrea, obviously reads the old tales rather than relying on newer childrens versions, as you'll see from her descriptions of the pieces.

CINDERELLA
(In this scene, Cinderella kneels at her mother’s grave under the hazel tree and receives her dress for the ball. )

Here's what the artist says about her work:

I am a watercolorist turned felter. Using a felting needle, I "paint” scenes with fiber. Each work begins as a sketch and is felted by hand, using no machine, pattern or mold.

I sincerely urge you to go to her shop HERE for the close-ups views, as well as to see all her work. It's just stunning and completely reminiscent (for me) of impressionist pastel work.

FROG PRINCE
(In this scene, the princess bargains with the frog over the return of her lovely golden ball.)

HANSEL & GRETAL
(In this scene, the brother and sister are alone in the woods collecting small stones in their hopes of being able to find their way back home.)

LITTLE MERMAID
(In this scene, the little mermaid gazes up at the ocean’s surface in contemplation of trading her mermaid’s tale for human form.)

There's information about her techniques under the 'shop policies' section of her Etsy shop, which is very interesting too.

Just stunning work. I'd love to see a whole story book illustrated this way.

You can find her work in her Etsy shop HERE.

Fairy Tale News Catch-Up - Mid February '10

There have been a few stories crop up I simply haven't had time to write posts for so, rather have you miss out, I'm doing a quick headliner post to catch you up and will link you to all the fairy tale goodness.

Just click on the headline to be taken to the story.

A straw-bale café and three little pigs?"Give me that straw to build me a house" by Leslie Brook

Energy efficient straw construction planned for Sutton in the UK, along with a permit for three little pigs to visit during the opening to continue the fairy tale theme.

Disney World expanding to add new fairy tale attractions & story interactions

Concepts for Gaston's Tavern

Guests will experience new rides including, an indoor Little Mermaid Attraction, and an expansion of Dumbo's Flying Circus. Fantasyland will also be more interactive. Guests will be able to train to be a knight, dine with princesses or have dinner in Gaston's Tavern from Beauty and The Beast. "Not only will it immerse guests into story lines of their favorite princesses, but it's actually going to make guests part of the stories," said Walt Disney Imagineer Diego Parris.

(More additions detailed in the article. Video promo included from announcement at the link. Older concept pics for the new additions at this link HERE.)

Nightmare reality for real life 'Sleeping Beauty' Louisa BallLouisa Ball suffers from sleeping illness

Fifteen year old girl (& family) come forward to highlight her contraction of rare illness Kleine-Levin Syndrome, also known as 'Sleeping Beauty Syndrome' (sort of an extreme version of narcolepsy). Seen mostly in teens, it is hoped she will be 'cured' (outgrow it?) in 10-12 years. Additional coverage HERE.

New "haunting erotic fairy tale" Sleeping Beauty film in the worksSleeping Beauty illustration by Gustav A. Tenggren

Actress Emily Browning to play a narcoleptic prostitute that caters to those with a 'certain fetish'. (I kid you not.) This won't be a kiddie film (obviously!) but it's not supposed to be an 'adult' film either. I wonder if the girl's name will be Talia?


Original draft images of Beauty & the Beast by Walter Crane going up for auction

2 Beauty & the Beast images by Walter Crane up for auction

The pictures, which illustrate the most famous scenes from the French love story, are estimated to make £200-£300 when they go up for auction on February 20.

Hansel & Gretel online flash game featured as 'game of the day' in LA TimesTitle graphic from Hansel & Gretel flash game-of-the-day

The aim is to collect all the stones. Interesting graphics that aren't at all cutesy. There's also a 'how to play' on YouTube HERE.

Tech-ed students building witch's house from Hansel & Gretel in Bookworm GardensScreen capture from Bookworm Gardens website

Bookworm Gardens, (is) a 2-acre fantasy garden based on children's literature located on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Sheboygan. The gardens mix paths, shrubs, trees and environmentally friendly structures with a series of about 10 reading-themed areas based on 74 different children's books, including "Charlotte's Web," the classic story about a talented pig and spider.

... The centerpiece of Bookworm Gardens is the Hansel & Gretel Administration Building, an A-frame cottage-style structure with a curvy roofline to resemble the famous house of the classic children's tale. It will include a classroom, offices, gift shop, restrooms and a small kitchen.

Other buildings include the barn from Charlotte's Web and "Little House in the Big Woods". The gardens are due to open in October later this year.

********

There are a few more stories (there's always more fairy tale news than I can cover!) but I hope to cover a couple more fun ones in the next few days. :)

Syfy Fairy Tale Line-Up - Update

I just read this news in a blog and haven't been able to substantiate it with other reliable sources but here's the list of tales to be adapted (including the ones I announced a couple of days ago):

• Beauty and the Beast
• Red Riding Hood
• Hansel & Gretel
• The Voyage of Sinbad
• Aladdin and the Magic Lamp
• Enchanted Forest (this is likely to be either a Babes In the Wood adaptation or use multiple tales as sources)

Shot with Emily Blunt from the remake of "The Wolfman" due for release in 2010

Here's an excerpt from Get Addicted: TV News explaining the premises:

o "Beauty & the Beast" — In this gritty celebration of Valentine’s Day, a young Beauty with a gift for healing helps a deformed Prince regain his throne and defeat the ruthless nobleman who wants to be king — and then together they try to destroy a power-hungry witch.
o "Red" — A young woman who is a descendant of the real Little Red Riding Hood brings her fiancé home, where he meets the family and learns about their business – hunting werewolves. He’s skeptical until bitten by a werewolf. When her family insists he must be killed, Red tries saving him.

o "Hansel" — Twenty years after his encounter with the witch, a grown-up Hansel returns to the haunted forest, seeking revenge. But there’s a surprise waiting – his sister Gretel (who he thought had been killed) is the witch’s protégée.
 (Edit by FTNH: Doesn't this sound similar to the Hansel & Gretel-as-witch-hunters movie currently in production? I like the twist with Gretel though.)

Origami unicorns from an ad for the re-branded Syfy Channel

o "8TH Voyage of Sinbad" — Sinbad searches for the golden head of the long lost Colossus of Rhodes and, instead, discovers an island where the mythical Minotaur still rules, protecting a vast treasure. Sinbad and his crew have to battle the creature and its minions to get the treasure and save their own lives.

o "Aladdin" (working title) — After accidentally releasing an evil genie from an ancient lamp, Aladdin must find a way to imprison the genie again before it wreaks havoc on the world.
o "Black Forest" — A group of naïve tourists take a sightseeing tour into a supposed enchanted forest, where they encounter evil creatures from the world of fantasy. Trapped in the Black Forest, their only hope of survival is fighting their way out.

Sounds like we have some interesting viewing coming our way! All this follows (and is propelled by) the success of "Tin Man" and the recently aired "Alice". The good news about this is that Syfy strongly believe (backed up by ratings and other statistics) that the general cable-viewing public enjoy fairy tale adaptations. Let's hope this series of movies proves the point and that we'll see even more fairy tales given the movie-of-the-week treatment in the future.

Syfy Adapting Fairy Tales for Movie-of-the-Week Franchise

"fairy tales"
by Vincent Grey

Before I get to the news I wanted to encourage you to take a look at the full size version of this illustration, which I thought fit the theme of 'sci-fi-ed' fairy tales (click on image for full size). It references many tales and the more you look, the more you see. This is, of course, one example of how fairy tales can represent different things different people - something which I always find very interesting.
Which ones can you identify?

You know by now that there are many fairy tale adaptations in the works in the movie industry this year, some of which we will actually see in 2010 but it seems Cable TV is getting on board too.

Syfy is currently working on a new made-for-TV movie franchise with a Saturday night time slot and it's starting this month.

First up is Beauty & the Beast, airing on February 27th.

Here's the details from The Hollywood Reporter & Dread Central:

Syfy is reinventing fairy tales and pop culture characters as part of its Saturday night TV movie franchise.

The network is airing five titles that give a contemporary twist on a classic story, from Hansel & Gretel (years after escaping the witch in the haunted forest, Hansel returns seeking revenge) to Little Red Riding Hood (a descendant of Little Red discovers her family secretly hunts werewolves).

Piper
by Avijit/Avi Das

(Please note: There is no mention of The Pied Piper being adapted by Syfy at this time)

"It's exciting to take a treasured brand and put our own sideways spin on it," said Thomas Vitale, executive vp programming and original movies at Syfy. "By turning familiar timeless stories inside out, we're creating an entertaining new genre for our popular Saturday night movie franchise."

You can find a little more info HERE.

A 'fairy tale movie of the week'? Nice. As a bonus, it looks like there's a good chance these will make it to DVD eventually as well. Very nice.

I knew 2010 was going to be a good year for fairy tales!

Note: The illustration at the head is by German concept artist Vincent Grey. You can see his gallery HERE. The other illustration is by Avi Das. You can see his portfolio HERE. If you're interested in how he came to illustrate The Piper in this manner, you can see his inspiration & thought process HERE.

Fairy Tale News New Year's Bumper Edition: Fashion

• Wild at Heart (Fall fashion slideshow feature by ZoomZoom) In this fall fashion feature, Erik Almas takes 1930s paintings, taxidermy animals, and the modern woman to create diorama-like images of fashion in the wild. The result is an amalgam of the fairy tale and the mythological muse. The images conjure narratives of the heroine who can talk to animals, live amongst the brown bears, and rule nature itself.

• Ko Ara's Fairy Tale Shoot in Korean Singles Magazine 2008 (Thumbelina, Red Riding Hood, Princess and the Pea, Bremen Town Musicians, Peter Pan, Hansel & Gretel)

• Cinderella's Closet, which provides dresses to under privileged teens for their proms, is calling for gently used prom dresses.

• Fairy tale themed jewelry by LunarraStar (Alice in Wonderland, Snow White, Little Red Riding Hood, Wizard of Oz and more) Etsy find.

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Fairy Tale News New Year's Bumper Edition: Films & movies

• The Snow Queen Russian animated movie 1957 - three entries of stills/screen captures posted (Lovely layout and animation, though personally I'm not wild about the character designs. This movie is well loved for nostalgic reasons and by animators for the techniques used. I have yet to see this myself...) 1st post, 2nd post, 3rd post.

• Hansel & Gretel - The True Story - A very dark, traditionally animated, short film currently in development & production in Macedonia. Trailer available for viewing at the link.

• Behind-the-scenes of "How To Train Your Dragon" (in theaters March 26, 2010) - not a fairy tale but will be of interest to many of you anyway - see some of the desings, a little of the story and some concepts behind the film (footage from network).

• Debbie Allen's 'dansical' "Alex in Wonderland" coming to DVD in February. "Written, directed and choreographed by Debbie Allen, with an original score by Debbie Allen, Diane Louie and three-time GRAMMY Award winner James Ingram, Debbie Allen's ALEX IN WONDERLAND is a re-imagined fairytale that has been contemporized, funkified and stylized for a new generation."

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