We’ve heard for months that Viggo Mortensen would be taking on the role of the Huntsman in Universal’s Snow White and the Huntsman, starring alongside Charlize Theron and Kristen Stewart, with Rupert Sanders directing. Great casting, too; the part of an assassin working at the Queen’s behest seems to fit him perfectly, and he delivers in seemingly everything he’s cast in these days.

Seems like it wasn’t meant to be, though. Variety says that the actor has dropped out of the project, after negotiating with Universal over the past few months. Kind of a shame, as his involvement was really the only thing about the film that had me interested, so this has dropped off my radar pretty heavily. We heard that Johnny Depp was considered for the same part, but his busy schedule might prevent him from taking on the part.

There’s also been a lot of talk about Mortensen taking on the lead in The Dark Tower or the role of the villain in Superman: The Man of Steel, although the former is being lined up for Javier Bardem while the idea of the latter has apparently been dismissed by Zack Snyder himself. Don’t worry that he’ll be going hungry or anything; his departure indicates that he has something planned for the near future, although what that is remains a mystery.

What do you think of Mortensen leaving Snow White? Does his departure make you lose interest in the film, and who do you think will be in the role now?