It should come as no surprise that there was a grain of truth that came out of all the rumors circulating about the future of the Snow White and the Huntsman franchise.
Since news broke of the indiscretions that apparently took place between Director Rupert Sanders and actress Kristen Stewart, there has been no shortage of speculation as to how this would affect the sequel. Although Universal has released a statement denying that Stewart has been dropped as the title character of the upcoming film, it looks like at least one member of the team will not be returning – screenwriter David Koepp.
Initial reports indicated that Koepp might have been let go by the studio itself, but this past weekend he decided to clear up the unsubstantiated rumors. In an interview with The Huffington Post, Koepp made it clear that the choice to move on was his alone and was a personal decision.
He explained it with the statement:
…as you get a little more experience, you realize that when you have burning ideas that you’ll do a really good job with — and when you don’t. And what the price is, pursuing something where you don’t have burning ideas and you feel like you’re going to do a great job: everybody is disappointed; they feel like you ripped them off and they don’t want to hire you anymore. So, what I’ve found over the years is if you don’t feel it, don’t do it. And I really felt this one thing and, so, I was perusing that. But, then, they wanted to go another way and I didn’t feel it as well — so, much better to get someone who feels it.
I can’t say I blame him, although I’d much rather have seen Stewart go. I’m not sure how much she really added to the content of the original film or what she can do to bump up the next one, especially without the strong lead of Charlize Theron – who despite some miraculous plot intervention, obviously won’t be returning for the sequel.
Despite his departure from this project, David Koepp can bask in the success of his most recent film, Premium Rush, which hits theaters today. The film, which he directed and co-wrote, has already received some pretty impressive reviews and whatever direction Koepp goes in, will sure to be worth keeping an eye out for.
