'The Huntsman' Loses Director Frank Darabont

Director Frank Darabont has parted ways with Universal and ‘The Huntsman,’ the upcoming sequel to ‘Snow White and the Huntsman.’ Though judging by Charlize Theron’s involvement, maybe it’s more of a prequel? Universal will have to find a new director for the film, which is reportedly still expected to hit theaters in 2016, regardless of this setback.

Deadline reports that Darabont has exited ‘The Huntsman’ over “creative differences,” adding that Darabont and Universal’s parting was amicable. Darabont had been selected to helm the upcoming follow-up to ‘Snow White and the Huntsman’ from a shortlist of directors which also included ‘Warrior’ director Gavin O’Connor and ‘Mama’ director Andres Muschietti. O’Connor replaced Lynne Ramsay on the perpetually-delayed ‘Jane Got a Gun,’ which is finally set to hit theaters later this year.

Darabont, who acted as showrunner on AMC’s ‘The Walking Dead’ for the first season and directed the Stephen King adaptations ‘The Shawshank Redemption’ and ‘The Green Mile,’ was also attached as screenwriter for ‘The Huntsman.’ It’s unclear whether Universal is seeking to replace Darabont with O’Connor or Muschietti, but Deadline notes that the studio already has their eye on a new director.

Both Charlize Theron and Chris Hemsworth will return to reprise their roles for ‘The Huntsman.’ It was recently reported that Theron successfully negotiated for equal pay to Hemsworth on the project, after leaked Sony e-mails revealed that Jennifer Lawrence and Amy Adams were not receiving the same pay as their male counterparts.

‘The Huntsman’ is scheduled for release on April 22, 2016.