‘Hansel and Gretel 2’ Updates: Award-winning Bruno Aveillan lands directorial job for Paramount’s sequel; Jeremy Renner, Gemma Arterton to reprise witch hunter siblings?

By Staff Writer

Aug 11 2015, 06:49 AM EDT

'Hansel and Gretel 2' gets award-winning commercials director and visual artist Bruno Aveillan for an upcoming sequel. Stars Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton to reprise roles as hunter siblings.

According to Deadline, a second film in the live-action adaptation of the fairytale is set to be in the works with Aveillan to helm the filmmaking tasks in his first big-screen directorial debut. The French artist is an internationally sought after filmmaker and photographer awarded for his success with huge advertising clients including Chanel, Coca Cola, Nintendo, Nissan, Volvo and even Samsung. He's worked with big names in the entertainment industry such as Martin Scorsese and Oliver Stone on some big projects.

The first film was helmed by Norweigan director Tommy Wirkola, according to Slash Film. However, he admitted that he would not be returning for the sequel during an interview with Fangoria.

He said, "I've just decided to not direct Hansel & Gretel 2. I have been lately attached to a few more things, it's just a matter of time and priorities. I did Dead Snow 1, then Hansel & Gretel 1, and then Dead Snow 2. I want to do something a little bit different now and not just do sequels. I did write the script and I hope to be involved in it. But yeah, I won't be directing it."

It was reported that he may have written down a first draft of the potential script but it is unknown whether Aveillan will push through with the work.

In another article by Geekty Rant, it was revealed by producer Adam McKay that the sequel may feature "different kinds of witchcraft". It also remains unclear whether actors Renner and Arterton had already signed on to play the grown up bounty hunting duo Hansel and Gretel. Renner did express his interest in returning for a second time in prior interviews.

'Hansel and Gretel 2' will be a follow-up film for the horror-action fairytale adaptation of 2013. It focused on the events following the German tale of the same name wherein Hansel and Gretel have grown up to become exterminators of the occult. It received box office success grabbing $226 million worldwide against a $50 million budget according to Box Office Mojo. Although it met with mixed reviews, it became an instant underrated cult favorite.