"Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters 2" will be directed by Bruno Aveillan.
Aveillan takes the director's seat after Tommy Wirkola left the film's sequel. As per The Tracking Board, Paramount wants to boost the excitement in the upcoming movie sequel and add a new writer to pen the screenplay for the film, eventually adding Aveillan as director. The studio is planning to rewrite the story while integrating elements from Wirkola's script.
Known for his outstanding skills in the fashion industry and experimental art helming, Aveillan has worked with a number of recognized international stars on commercials and advertisements, according to Cinema Blend. Also, he is known for the fairy tale spin, the "Cinderella" feature, along with a script written by "The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe" writer Ann Peacock.
Wirkola's 2013 action-fantasy "Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters" starred Jeremy Renner and Gemma Artenton. While there is no word yet if they return in the sequel, Renner affirmed in August 2014 that Paramount was going to craft a sequel, but he was not signed on with the project.
Renner recently appeared in Christopher McQuarrie's "Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation." He will be seen next in Justin Lin's untitled "Bourne" sequel, Denis Villenueve's sci-fi film "Story of Your Life," and Joe Russo and Anthony Russo's "Captain America: Civil War."
Meanwhile, Artenton is set to appear in Jim O'Hanlon's drama film "A Hundred Streets," Radu Mihaileanu's fantasy drama "The History of Love," and Colm McCarthy's thriller "She Who brings Gifts."
"Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters 2" in inspired from Brothers Grimm's 1812 fairy tale "Hansel and Gretel." The upcoming film follows the siblings as they face another dark force, after defeating the evil witch.
Along with Aveillan set to helm the film, Will Ferrell, Beau Flynn, Adam McKay, and Kevin Messick will produce the film.
As the film sequel is still in its early phase of development, additional cast members, exact plot details, and release date are yet to be revealed.