Juliet Blake (who recently teamed with Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg on The Hundred-Foot Journey) has acquired the feature rights to Sandman and Doctor Who scribe Neil Gaiman’s latest graphic novel.
The book will see Gaiman retell the classic Brothers Grimm fairytale Hansel and Gretel about a brother and sister threatened by a witch living in a candy house. The graphic novel features artwork by Lorenzo Mattotti, and is set to be released on October 28th. This latest adaptation of Gaiman’s acclaimed work will join the likes of Coraline and Stardust, and like the latter, the movie will be live-action.
“For me, retelling Hansel and Gretel was a way of telling an old tale in a way that made it immediate and true, and about us, now,” Gaiman said in a statement. “It reminds us of how paper thin civilization really is. It’s about hunger, and about families. I’m thrilled and delighted to be working with Juliet Blake to bring Hansel and Gretel to the world again, and to show people how much this story has to say to us.”
The latest Hollywood take on Hansel and Gretel was Paramount’s Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters, starring Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton, It grossed $225 million and a sequel is expected.
Here’s the official plot synopsis for the upcoming graphic novel:
This all happened a long time ago, in your grandmother’s time, or in her grandfather’s. A long time ago. Back then, we all lived on the edge of the great forest. Neil Gaiman and Lorenzo Mattotti both remember the horror and fascination with which they read the Grimm Brothers’ “Hansel and Gretel.” The writer and the artist now join forces for a brilliant reimagining of one of humanity’s most enduring tales. Be brave, be bold, and keep your wits about you–Gaiman and Mattotti are welcoming you into the woods.
This all happened a long time ago, in your grandmother’s time, or in her grandfather’s. A long time ago. Back then, we all lived on the edge of the great forest. Neil Gaiman and Lorenzo Mattotti both remember the horror and fascination with which they read the Grimm Brothers’ “Hansel and Gretel.” The writer and the artist now join forces for a brilliant reimagining of one of humanity’s most enduring tales. Be brave, be bold, and keep your wits about you–Gaiman and Mattotti are welcoming you into the woods.
