While it did fairly well in the box office it seems like Paramount Pictures is having troubles with pursuing "Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters 2."
The planned sequel is reportedly short of a director after Tommy Wirkola's exit.
"I've just decided to not direct Hansel & Gretel 2," Wikola's official statement said according to Deadline.
"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."
Together with Wikola's exit comes rumors and speculations claiming that "Avengers" cast Jeremy Renner, who played the male lead star in the original film is also not returning to the sequel.
Apparenlty, Renner's busy schedule with his upcoming Marvel movies and another "Bourne" sequel reportedly makes it impossible for him to do "Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters 2."
The "Avengers" star admitted to Kristy Puchko of Cinema Blend that Paramount hasn't talked to him yet regarding the sequel, thus his knowledge is very limited if none.
"Not that I'm aware of, no. I know they're going to make one. I know they're writing a script. And that's when they will probably engage with any talent," Jeremy Renner answered when asked if he's already signed on a deal with the studio.
And while he seemed surprise upon hearing the news that a script for "Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters 2" has already been forwarded to Paramount, he insisted that the timeline should be fixed first before the giant studio could move forward.
"Yeah (they have not), and it's ultimately going to come down to--I know they have a release date and they really want to get it out there--but I have to have the time. I'm only one man, right? And then also Gemma's availability. It'll come down to availability I'm sure."
However, he sounds optimistic when asked if he'll do the film once Paramount asked him, thus hope is still up for "Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters 2."
"I don't have any problem with it. Yeah. It was a lot of fun. It was fun to do that movie, and just have a ball. "
