We live in a global economy where America is no longer the deciding factor if a film is successful or not. If you want proof of that, look at 'Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters.' The film made $54 Million domestically, which a little more than the film's budget, but it's made over $200 million worldwide, which is why Paramount has announced they're working on 'Hansel & Grete: Witch Hunters 2.'
Make no mistake: this was a slow and bad weekend at the box office, an example of the January doldrums at their absolute worst. However, this was probably the only environment where a film titled 'Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters' could have flourished, so at least someone is happy.
'Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters' is so close to being a parody of stupid action movies I'm inclined to believe that at some point in its development that's exactly what it was. It was written and directed by Tommy Wirkola, whose previous claim to fame was a horror comedy about Nazi zombies, and produced by Adam McKay and Will Ferrell, whose Gary Sanchez Productions only makes comedies. The premise -- Hansel and Gretel survive their famous fairy tale encounter with a witch and grow up to be badass supernatural bounty hunters -- is so ludicrous it sounds like a 'Saturday Night Live' sketch (imagine Ferrell and Amy Poehler in the title roles). It just makes more sense that this was intended as a comedy, and that at some point, someone in a position of power decided it was a safer financial bet to minimize the humor and play the thing straight as an arrow fired from a Gretel's semiautomatic crossbow. The result: a movie that's a joke, instead of a comedy.
Whether you think 'Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters' is gonna be one of those epic supernatural action flicks with lots of crossbow-slinging action, or the first biggest disaster of the new year, its premiere will soon be upon us. Before you make a snap judgement, why not check out the first two clips from the Jeremy Renner-leading storybook movie?
Hollywood is kicking off a new slew of warped fairy tale movies with the Jeremy Renner- and Gemma Arterton-starring 'Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters.' For those that saw 'This is 40,' a new trailer of the two storybook children in action was attached to the previews, but being that it was a theater and all, it was a bit tame. So, get ready for the latest red-band version complete with NSFW blood and gore.
The last 'Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters' trailer tried to play the film as a straight 'Snow White and the Huntsman'/'Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter' style action-horror film. It didn't work. The new red-band trailer is here and wisely recuts the movie as something of a dark, campy comedy. But does that make it any better?
Jeremy Renner had a huge summer with 'The Avengers' and 'The Bourne Legacy' and he's following that up with...'Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters?' This is one trailer you're just going to have to see for yourself but rest assured, this isn't your grandma's fairy tale.
If you thought the 'G.I. Joe Retaliation' move was weird, it's worth noting that - had Paramount's schedule stayed as it was originally intended - 'Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters' would be on home video by now. Instead it moved from March 2012 to January 2013. Now it's being reported that it will have an R rating.
