‘The Huntsman: Winter’s War’ is released in Irish cinemas this week, and sees Chris Hemsworth and Charlize Theron reprise their roles for this prequel to the 2012 movie ‘Snow White and the Huntsman’. This time out, Ravenna (Theron) and Freya (Blunt) battle for power over the land, and the Huntsman (Hemsworth) and his lover Sara (Jessica Chastain) set out to stop them.
To celebrate the release of ‘The Huntsman: Winters War’ in Irish cinemas, Movies.ie have gathered together some facts about the film. Keep reading to find out more…
1. Out with the Old
Kristen Stewart is not reprising her role as Snow White in this film, and the character will not appear at all. Toby Jones and Brian Gleeson are not returning either.
2. In with the New
Joining Chris Hemsworth and Charlize Theron in this film are Emily Blunt, Sheridan Smith, Rob Brydon and Jessica Chastain. Sam Claflin and Nick Frost are returning to their roles from the first film.
3. Plot
There was originally talk of making a direct sequel to ‘Snow White and the Huntsman’ after the film made over $396 million at the worldwide box office, but ‘The Huntsman: Winter’s War’ takes place before the events of the first film, when Ravenna sets out to take over the land.
4. Norse Mythology
Emily Blunt plays a character named Freya, in Norse mythology Freya is associated with love, magic and death. According to legend, Freya was married to a god named Odr who vanished one day. Freya searched the entire world to find him and cried tears of gold. This is how the goddess became associated with love.
5. Norse God
Coincidentally, one of Chris Hemsworth’s most famous roles is as Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe; Thor is also a Norse god.
6. Director
Frank Darabont, who directed ‘The Shawshank Redemption’ and ‘The Green Mile’ and wrote many episodes of ‘The Walking Dead’ was initially attached to direct ‘The Huntsman: Winter’s War’, but he left the project, citing creative differences. The other directors considered were Gavin O’Connor and Andrés Muschietti.
7. Behind the camera
Cedric Nicolas-Troyan, who has directed ‘The Huntsman: Winter’s War’ was a second unit director and visual effects artist on ‘Snow White and the Huntsman’. This is Nicolas-Troyan’s first feature film as a director, although he did direct a short film in 2011 called ‘Carrot Vs Ninja’.
8. Oscar Nominee
Director Cedric Nicolas-Troyan was nominated for an Oscar for Best Achievement in Visual Effects for ‘Snow White and the Huntsman’, Jessica Chastain has been Oscar nominated twice, and Charlize Theron won for her work on ‘Monster’ in 2004.
9. Badass Women
As well as Charlize Theron playing the evil Ravenna, Emily Blunt’s character Freya is a woman scorned and desperate for revenge, and Jessica Chastain’s Sara is a warrior who, in the trailer, declares “I never miss”. Seems like Hemsworth may not be the biggest badass in this film after all.
10. When can I see ‘The Huntsman: Winter’s War’?
‘The Huntsman: Winter’s War’ is released in Irish cinemas on April 8th 2016. Watch the trailer below…