‘The Huntsman’ Casts Jessica Chastain in a Mystery Role, Nick Frost to Return as a Dwarf

The cast of The Huntsman just got a bit more compelling. In addition to Chris Hemsworth, Charlize Theron and Emily Blunt, the Snow White and the Huntsman sequel will also star Jessica Chastain. That’s almost too many awesomely talented people for us to handle. Oh, and Nick Frost will be reprising his role as one of the seven dwarves.

Deadline reports that Chastain is joining The Huntsman, although it’s not immediately clear who she might be playing in the sequel. Another witch? Snow White’s mother? A broom? Following previous reports that many of the actors who played the seven dwarves in Snow White and the Huntsman would not be returning, the new report confirms that Nick Frost has reached an agreement with Universal to reprise his role.

According to THR, The Huntsman takes place before the events of Snow White and the Huntsman, exploring the relationship between the huntsman (Hemsworth) and the evil queen Ravenna (Theron). That may or may not contradict earlier reports that Emily Blunt is playing Ravenna’s sister, who is seeking to avenge her sister. It’s possible that Blunt’s revenge story is a framing device, or that some other wrong has been committed against Ravenna that requires revenge in this film.

The Huntsman is being directed by Cedric Nicolas-Troyan, a VFX designer who is also helming the upcoming Highlander reboot.

With this incredible cast lined up for the sequel, The Huntsman is beginning to look like it has the potential to outshine its predecessor. We’ll see for ourselves when the movie hits theaters on April 22, 2016.