Will "Avengers" cast Jeremy Renner follow suit after director Tommy Wikola reportedly left "Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters 2?"
"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."
While Renner has yet to reveal whether he'll return or not in Paramount Pictures' "Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters 2," his busy schedule immediately fueled rumors that the "Avengers" star will most likely not reprising his role.
Despite doing fairly well in the box office, Renner is reportedly having his eyes on making more Marvel movies in addition to an upcoming "Bourne" sequel, thus it's unlikely for him to return in "Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters 2."
But before he could even ditch the sequel to the fairy tale reboot, the "Avengers" star admitted to Kristy Puchko of Cinema Blend that Paramount hasn't even asked him about the project yet.
"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.
Furthermore, he explained that while he is aware that the sequel is being planned, it's not only his schedule that should be taken consideration by Paramount.
"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, Jeremy Renner is not closing his doors to working again in "Hansel & 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. "
