Oh, public domain, how you make us sick of classic tales. Variety reports that Universal has signed Ann Peacock (The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe) to rewrite the script for their Cinderella reimagining, which was previously written by Michael Dougherty (Superman Returns, Trick ‘r Treat); Bruno Aveillan is set to direct. This long-gestating project is not the only Cinderella remake in development, as Disney is working on one of their own, with Mark Romanek set to direct. Plot details for both movies aren’t readily available, but no matter how they try to reimagine it, I would assume the basic outline will be the same as the story you’ve likely heard countless times.
The dueling Cinderella movies is no shock as another fairy tale property, Snow White, has received the same treatment. Relativity Media has a so far untitled Snow White adaptation due out in the spring (with Lily Collins starring), while Universal themselves have set Snow White and the Huntsman starring Kristen Stewart and Chris Hemsworth for next summer. Apparently fairy tales never leave the public domain; I would have assumed that the House of Mouse had bought all the rights by now.
I honestly don’t know what to think of this. The story of Cinderella has already been reimagined with the 2003 Hilary Duff movie A Cinderella Story so it’s not like it hasn’t been done before. It just seems to be following a weird trend where multiple studios are content to duel it out with the same fairy tale property; it’s like Volcano vs. Dante’s Peak all over again, but with less thought put into it. (Or, of course, Deep Impact vs. Armageddon.) I don’t know about you guys, but I’d love it if the recession would end so studios would take chances again because this is flat out ridiculous.
Dueling Cinderella and Snow White movies? Is this what you want invading your multiplex?