Gemma Arterton has signed on to star alongside Jeremy Renner in Paramount’s Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters.  Described by Heat Vision as a “a dark action movie that picks up with the fairy tale siblings years after the traumatic childhood incident has turned them into bounty hunters,” Hansel & Gretel is being directed by Norway’s own Tommy Wirkola (Dead Snow).

Per the report, Arterton beat out Diane Kruger (Inglorious Bastards), Eva Green (Casino Royale), and Noomi Rapace (The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo) for the lead role which could begin shooting in Berlin as early as this March.  It is believed that Paramount would like to push Hansel & Gretel ahead of Fox’s own 3D action flick Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter which is currently aiming at a June 22nd, 2012 release.  In addition to Witch Hunters, Arterton also landed a role recently alongside Andrew Garfield in Michael Mann’s Capa.

Kalliope Films and The Institute (co-founded by Michael Bay) have unveiled the first teaser poster/promotional photo for their 3D adaptation of Hansel and Gretel, the classic fairytale from the Brothers Grimm.  As you may recall from your childhood, the Grimm tale follows the sibling team of Hansel and Gretel as they get lost in the woods and stumble upon a house made of candy.  And you know what they say: when things seems too good to be true, it’s probably the work of a witch who likes to eat children.

The film is set for a live-action spring 2011 shoot on location in Germany.  Joseph C. Pepe, the lead character designer from Avatar, is spearheading the design of the “Teutonic beings” of German mythology; Scott Gardenhour (Pearl Harbor) and Kira Madallo Sesay are credited as producers.  Hit the jump to check out the ominous artwork in high resolution alongside the official announcement.