No More Kristen Stewart as Snow White

Well then. This is rather surprising, even from Hollywood, even considering the latest developments with Kristen Stewart and the director Rupert Sanders. I've been wondering how the affair would affect the sequel which had been greenlighted in June once the first movie earned a certain amount at the box office.

From Universal reconceives the follow-up to focus on Chris Hemsworth's character as writer David Koepp exits.

Universal has decided to shelf its planned Snow White and the Huntsman sequel and is instead focusing on a solo Huntsman movie starring Chris Hemsworth. Kristen Stewart will not be invited to return if the follow-up goes forward.

Sources tell The Hollywood Reporter that the sequel to June's Snow White, which starred Stewart, Hemsworth and Charlize Theron, is being reconceived as a spinoff movie. It's unclear whether director Rupert Sanders will return, though one source with ties to the production says he will. However, screenwriter David Koepp, who had been hired to pen the continuation of the original film, is being settled out of his rich contract, according to sources, as the project is being transformed into something other than the movie that Koepp had been hired to write.

"The studio is currently exploring options to continue the franchise," a Universal spokeswoman says.

The move comes in the wake of Stewart, 22, and the married Sanders, 41, apologizing publicly for a romantic affair after compromising photos of the duo were published in July. (Stewart was dating her Twilight co-star Robert Pattinson.) While it might have been awkward for Stewart and Sanders to reunite for a sequel, it is not clear why the decision to move forward without Stewart was made.

I know that Hemsworth has a steadily rising star and that Sanders is closely attached to the movie franchise but dropping a star is rather shocking and disappointing-- and I didn't even care for Stewart in the role. It is also disappointing considering the ambiguity of the ending of the first one, purposeful in setting up the plans for a sequel at the time.

A fansite for the movie, The Enchanting Beauty, perhaps says it best:

Snow White and the Huntsman ended on a note that left us wanting more regarding the relationship dynamics between Snow White, the Huntsman and the Prince along with the dwarves.

With Universal indicating that this relationship dynamic is now lost and Snow White is no longer a part of the story, we feel the story has lost what made it special and different in Hollywood... a "medieval-styled film with a strong female lead."

Now, SWATH will become another "male dominated franchise" as most all of Hollywood films are today and that is unfortunate. Its uniqueness has been lost.

So that's all folks. I doubt the sequel will even reference fairy tales--if it gets made since that is rather shakey at this point, too.