Let's talk about Snow White...

Next year will see the release of two fresh takes on the Snow White fairy tale -- releasing in March, Snow White (not the final title) stars Lily Collins as Snow White and Julia Roberts as her nemesis the wicked queen, while June will see the release of Snow White and the Huntsman starring Kristen Stewart (gag...sorry, reflex) as Snow White, Charlize Theron as the queen, and Chris Hemsworth (THOR! YAY!) as her "mentor" the huntsman.

With the first film releasing in six months (I can't WAIT to see a trailer), there have been a plethora of promo images popping up around the internet, so I thought it would be fun to compare the two. :)

First let's look at Snow White and the Huntsman, beginning with the official film synopsis:

In the epic action-adventure Snow White and the Huntsman, Kristen Stewart (Twilight) plays the only person in the land fairer than the evil queen (Oscar winner Charlize Theron) who is out to destroy her. But what the wicked ruler never imagined is that the one young woman threatening her reign has been training in the art of war with a huntsman (Chris Hemsworth, Thor) who was dispatched to kill her. Sam Claflin (Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides) joins the cast as the prince long enchanted by Snow White’s beauty and power.

Sounds like a decidedly dark take on the familiar story, no? While I'm not all that thrilled with the prospect of Kristen Stewart in the lead role, perhaps she has the edge needed to make Snow White a warrior princess:

I absolutely LOVE the look of Charlize Theron as the Wicked Queen -- icy, menacing, I suspect she's relishing this role:

Now, the real reason I'm interested in this film are the two male leads (just being honest here). :) Chris Hemsworth wowed me in the the summer blockbuster Thor, and he looks to be exploring a grittier, more intense persona here that I can't wait to see on-screen:

Sam Claflin as "Prince Charmont" worries me just a bit. I thought he was adorable in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, but with the look he's got in this promo photo he's nearly unrecognizable...can't wait to see how this works on-screen, though!

Snow White and the Huntsman also features appearances by Ian McShane, Ray Winstone, Toby Jones, Bob Hoskins, and Eddie Marsan in supporting roles.

Now, as much as I love Chris Hemsworth, at this point I'm a bit more excited about the untitled Snow White project coming in March. This just looks like FUN, people. :) Here's an excerpt from the official film synopsis:

In Relativity’s Untitled Snow White starring Oscar®-winner Julia Roberts and breakout star Lily Collins (The Blind Side), an evil Queen (Roberts) steals control of a kingdom, and an exiled princess (Collins) enlists the help of seven resourceful rebels to win back her birthright in a spirited adventure comedy filled with jealousy, romance, and betrayal that will capture the imagination of audiences the world over. The film also stars Armie Hammer (The Social Network) as the object of their affection, Prince Andrew Alcott, and Nathan Lane (The Birdcage) as the hapless and bungling servant to the Queen.

First let's look at Lily Collins as Snow White:

Now, I'm not familiar with Lily Collins, but I have to give her props because as far as I'm concerned, it takes real guts to wear a swan on your head and look happy about it. Here's another shot of Snow White with the dwarves:

Collins appears to have the looks, youth, and spunk to carry off the role quite well, I think! And I LOVE the colors, especially the way her dress pops in contrast to the dwarves' clothing. If nothing else this film promises to be a feast for the eyes.

In a departure from her leading lady/sweetheart-type roles, Julia Roberts is playing the wicked queen -- and I think she's going to be excellent. Love her gown, love the whole "look"!

While I'm unfamiliar with Armie Hammer (LOVE that name, makes me smile!), I am quite suitably impressed with his princely look:

NICE. I think we need a close-up, don't you? :) (Not trying to slight Chris Hemsworth, but sadly there just aren't that many promo photos of him in his hunstman garb around...yet.)

This Snow White also features Nathan Lane as the queen's lackey and Sean Bean as the king.

While I'm looking foward to both films -- my love of fairy tales knows no bounds, and I'll give just about any fresh take on a familiar classic a shot -- I have to say I'm a bit more excited about the color and sound of the March release than the more Lord of the Rings-style Huntsman project. My opinion is, of course, subject to change without notice. :) I'd love to hear your thoughts!