Armie Hammer, Saoirse Ronan Line up 'Snow White'

Armie Hammer has signed to play the charming Prince Andrew Alcott and Saoirse Ronan is in talks to star as the titular maiden inThe Brothers Grimm: Snow White, one of several revisionist fairy tale re-imaginings in the works.

This particular modernization will be directed by Tarsem Singh (The Fall) for Relativity Media andalready signedJulia Robertsto play the evil Queen. 24-year-old Hammer, who played both Winklevoss twins inThe Social Network, has been confirmed, according toDeadline, but the 16-year-old actress was still“in discussions” as of last weekend.

Meanwhile, Universal is struggling to lock in its cast forSnow White and the Huntsman, a slightly different version that involves werewolves. Twilightstar Kristen Stewart is cemented as the lead and Charlize Theron has long been set as the other evil Queen, one that has been using magic to sap the beauty from the land’s fairest to replenish her own. Viggo Mortensen was in lengthy discussions to portray the huntsman, a laborer who rescues Snow White from the queen and flees into the forest, but he backed out over financial concerns.  THRclaims Mortensen wanted $8 million and gross participation to join the movie.

Both“re-imaginings” borrow heavily from the familiar story of Snow White, including evil queens, witchcraft, talking mirrors, seven dwarves, and handsome princes, butBrothers Grimmshews closest to the version told by Disney nearly 75 years ago. Snow White communes with animals and performs her chores as a humble servant while her evil step-mother mismanages the kingdom into poverty.  The arrival of the prince, who is being forced to select a suitable wife, sets up a chance encounter with the lovely Snow White and her inevitable rivalrywith the Queen as they both vie for his affection (and riches).

That seems to be the main problem with Hollywood’s newfound infatuation with fairy tale retreads. There’s no magic or creativity, and instead the stories are simply being retold with live-action performances and fancy special effects. But I supposeAlice in Wonderlandwasn’t anything especially inventive or magnificent, and Disney banked over a billion dollars on Tim Burton’s 3D revisit. Hopefully Tarsem’s eye for visual flourish will be enough here.

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