Tommy Wirkola may have completed the screenplay for a follow-up to his HANSEL AND GRETEL: WITCH HUNTERS, but he won't be directing the planned sequel. The DEAD SNOW 2: RED VS. DEAD director recently told Fangoria he won't be back for HANSEL AND GRETEL: WITCH HUNTERS 2, and it appears sequel fatigue got to the filmmaker.
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.
Paramount wants HANSEL AND GRETEL: WITCH HUNTERS 2 to hit theaters sometime in 2016, so they do have plenty of time to find replacement for Tommy Wirkola. I know there are some who love the first film, however I didn't think it was very memorable. It's just one of those movies you forget about an hour after you watch it. But if Paramount hires a great director for the sequel, it might make me a little more interested in seeing HANSEL AND GRETEL: WITCH HUNTERS 2.
Tommy Wirkola's DEAD SNOW 2: RED VS. DEAD (you can read Chris Bumbray's review from Fantasia here) opens on October 10, 2014.