Kristen Stewart in Negotiations to Star in SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN

More Snow White news today, this one regarding Snow White and the Huntsman. Kristin Stewart is apparently now in negotiations to star in the film as Snow White herself. She would join previously announced Viggo Mortenson (in talks to play the Huntsman) and Charlize Theron (in talks to play the Evil Queen) in the project for Universal. Last week, we reported that Stewart was being courted for the role, and now THR reports that she’s currently in negotiations to star in the film, with both parties involved wanting it to happen.

Commercial director Rupert Sanders is helming the pic, which is said to be more action-oriented with White joining ranks with the Huntsman while on the run from the Evil Queen. She then becomes his protégé, learning to wield a sword and crossbow. For more on all three Snow White projects currently in development, hit the jump.

I think Stewart’s a fine actress, and it’ll be interesting to see which direction she takes once she’s finished with the Twilight franchise.  This “realistic” take on Snow White seems promising given the talent involved. Hopefully it turns out well.

Currently, Snow White and the Huntsman is one of three competing Snow White projects in Hollywood. Relativity Media is working on The Brothers Grimm: Snow White with Tarsem Signh set to direct and Brett Ratner set to produce. Julia Roberts and Natalie Portman have been rumored to be involved with that project, but we haven’t heard any movement since December.

The other Snow White-themed film in development is Disney’s Snow and the Seven.  Yesterday, we told you that Toy Story 3 scribe Michael Arndt has been tapped to write the screenplay for Disney’s own re-imagining of the fairy tale. That version takes place in China and centers on a 19th century Englishwoman who returns to her Hong Kong home for her father’s funeral, only to discover that her stepmother is plotting against her. She escapes to mainland China, finding solace among a rogue band of seven international warriors. Universal’s Snow White project seems to be headed into production first, with Disney’s version close behind. My question is, what happened to make everyone so interested in Snow White at the same time?