Annie Liebovitz - new Fairy Tale Photos for Disney

Excited to see 3 new images by the ever-talented Annie Liebovitz as part of Disney's Dream Portraits which combine celebrities with well-known characters from the Disney films.

Where magic speaks, even when you’re not the fairest of them all.

As the Evil Queen, Olivia Wilde joins Alec Baldwin

as the magic mirror from “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.”

Where a moment of beauty lasts forever.

Penelope Cruz and Jeff Bridges appear as Belle and the transformed prince,

recalling the final scene from “Beauty and the Beast.”

Where memories take hold and never let go.

Queen Latifah as Ursula from “The Little Mermaid”

Source: Disney Parks

See previous images from Disney's Dream Portraits
See more photographs by Annie Liebovitz
Previous posts on ART

Once Upon a Time - tv series planned

A fairytale themed series is in development for ABC from two of the writers of Lost -Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz.

UPDATE:
Ginnifer Godwin has been cast as Snow White//Sister Mary Margaret Blanchard
Lana Parrilla will play Mayor Regina/Evil Queen

From Vulture:
"Once Upon a Time (on which Damon Lindelof is also consulting) has a twisty, dual-plotted premise reminiscent of their previous gig: A young boy lives in Storybrooke, Maine, where he's convinced things aren't what they seem, and we also get glimpses — through flashbacks? flash-sideways? — of a fairy tale land where familiar evil queens and dwarves with sharply drawn personalities are quite real."

What is Once Upon a Time about?
Kitsis: What we want to do is take a look at well-known characters and stories and kind of dig deeper than what you know, and say, "Here's what you didn't know." We want to try to bring [the characters] out as people instead of just metaphors to deal with our fears
Horowitz: For us, first and foremost, this is a character show. We want to take the iconography that we've always loved and find find a new way to look at what makes these fairy-tale characters tick.

Read entire article here...

More FAIRYTALE adaptations in the works
(including 3 other Snow Whites...)

Dysenchanted (2004)

Seven storybook heroines meet once a week to process their issues in group therapy.

This 6 minute short film written by Terri Miller played at Sundance Film Festival in 2004.

Cast:
Alexis Bledel - Goldilocks
Laura Kightlinger - Cinderella
Sarah Wynter -Sleeping Beauty
Jaime Bergman - Alice
K.D. Aubert - Little Red Riding Hood
Amy Pietz - Clara
Shiva Rose - Snow White
Jill Small - Dorothy
James Belushi - Doctor (The Shrink)

Sleeping Beauty (Sarah Wynter) and Goldilocks (Alexis Bledel)

Here is a sample of character's profile from Official site

Doctor's notes on Goldilocks:
Diagnosis:
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Kleptomania
Adolescent angst
Currently homeless
Suspect abuse
Two strikes for arrest - breaking and entering
Coping Mechanism:
Belligerence
Trust issues
Hypertactility to creature comforts
Ursa-phobic

More FAIRYTALES

Rise of the Guardians (2012)

DreamWorks press release:
The film features a group of heroes from various childhood stories - "North"/ Santa Claus (Alec Baldwin), "Bunnymund"/Easter Bunny (Hugh Jackman), "Tooth" the Tooth Fairy (Isla Fisher) and Jack Frost (Chris Pine) - who join together in an adventure to stop Pitch the Boogeyman (Jude Law) from sending the world into eternal darkness.

The film, scheduled for release on November 21, 2012, is based on "The Guardians of Childhood," a series of highly anticipated children's books by William Joyce.

Rise of the Guardians is being directed by Peter Ramsey and co-directed by William Joyce, produced by Christina Steinberg and Nancy Bernstein, written by Pulitzer Prize winner David Lindsay-Abaire and executive produced by Guillermo del Toro and Michael Siegel.

"It's a thrill to be working with such an all-star team of actors and filmmakers on Rise of the Guardians," commented Bill Damaschke, Chief Creative Officer at DreamWorks Animation. "When we bring Bill Joyce's imaginative vision to the screen in 2012, audiences will experience an incredible story with a truly epic sense of adventure."

More than a collection of the well-known childhood legends, Rise of the Guardians tells the story of a group of heroes — each with extraordinary abilities. When an evil spirit known as Pitch lays down the gauntlet to take over the world, the immortal Guardians must join forces for the first time to protect the hopes, beliefs and imagination of children all over the world.

IMDb

More FAIRYTALES

My Fairytale - A musical

A musical about HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN
Original idea & concept by FLEMMING ENEVOLD
Music & Lyrics by STEPHEN SCHWARTZ
Book by Phillip LaZebnik

"From the darkened stage of the Royal National Theater in 1846, Hans Christian Andersen is launched on an epic adventure through the timeless landscape of his own imagination. What he discovers there not only changes his life, but the world. His life’s fairytale, illuminated by beauty and longing, was the genesis for some of the world’s most beloved stories. My Fairytale was first produced by Flemming Enevold as Mit Eventyr in 2005 as part of Denmark’s bi-centennial celebration of Andersen’s birth. This gorgeous new musical is both a delightful revelry in the stories from Andersen’s imagination, an enlightening journey into the soul of the artist, and heartfelt celebration of the wonderful influence of the Danish spirit on the world."(Press release)

Will be playing at Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts in California in August 2011.

More FAIRYTALES

Jack the Giant Killer (2012)

Another fairy tale update planned - this time for Jack and the Beanstalk...

“When a princess is kidnapped, a long-standing peace between men and giants becomes threatened, and a young farmer is given an opportunity to lead a dangerous expedition to the giant kingdom to rescue her.”

Hoult, McGregor, Tucci, Nighy, Kassir, Tomlinson

Ewan McGregor is in negotiations to play the leader of the king's elite guard. The cast includes Stanley Tucci as the villain, Bill Nighy and John Kassir as the two-headed leader of the giants and Nicholas Hoult as Jack.

Update: Eleanor Tomlinson has been cast as the princess. She has been previously seen in Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland, shown on the left.

To be directed by Bryan Singer.

Filming to begin late March in London. Source: THR

IMDb

More proposed FAIRYTALES

The Brothers Grimm: Snow White (2012)

Anyone else a fan of The Fall directed by Tarsem Singh? Have to say that I'm curious about this proposed adaptation of The Brothers Grimm: Snow White.
Julia Roberts is said to have signed on as the Evil Queen.
To be produced by Relativity Media with script by Melisa Wallack.
Source: Deadline
IMDb

Relativity's CEO Ryan Kavanaugh said of Julia Roberts' hiring , "Julia was our first and only choice to play the Queen. She is an icon, and we know that she will make this role her own in a way that no one else could.”
He also praised director Tarsem Singh in an earlier press release, "His aesthetic ability is so insane that when we were deciding on Snow White we were like, 'Who can actually create Snow White as an image - which is one of the most iconic images that we grew up with - in a way that actually is better than what we all remember, which is so good?' And it was him."

Two other films racing to the dwarf-infested finish line...

[Tarsem's film "The Fall" is one of my Top 30 films]

Artwork for Evil Queen: Sven Geruschkat

Snow and the Seven (2013)

Back in October, there was talk of various film projects for Snow White and it seems that all 3 (that we know of!) are being updated this week. Which one(s) will make it to the screen?
(Attempting to keep track of these competing films here)

IMDb lists Snow and the Seven with release year of 2013?

(Borys Kit) Reuters:

"Oscar-winning "Little Miss Sunshine" scribe Michael Arndt is in negotiations to work on the script for Disney's "Snow and the Seven," one of three rival Snow White projects in the works.

Additionally production designer John Myhre, an Oscar winner for his work on "Memoirs of a Geisha" and "Chicago," has been brought on board to begin creating the worlds of the fairy tale, which is set in 19th century China.

Yes, China.

The project, which Disney has been developing since 2002, centres 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.

Francis Lawrence has been on board to direct since early on, even as a slew of writers has taken turns at the script. Arndt last week picked up an Oscar nomination for co-writing "Toy Story 3."

With all systems go for "Snow," the big question is Natalie Portman's involvement. She has been circling the project since last year, but her pregnancy could hinder her ability to undertake a physically intense movie that will feature several different fighting styles."

Snow White and the Huntsman (2012)

Recent news suggest that Universal is seeking Kirsten Stewart to take on the role of Snow White with Viggo Mortensen as the Huntsman. Charlize Theron will likely play Ravenna the evil queen. Other names that have been mentioned for Snow White are Selena Gomez, Saoirse Ronan, Dakota Fanning and Riley Keough (granddaughter of Elvis). [Source]

Cast possibilities: Kirsten Stewart, Viggo Mortensen, Charlize Theron

"This new take on the fairy tale sees an expanded role for the Huntsman. In the original story, he is ordered to take Snow White into the woods and kill her, but instead lets her go. Here, the two are chained together for part of the movie as they make their escape. The Huntsman is not a love interest (fear not, the prince is still in the story) but acts more as a mentor, teaching the teen girl to fight and survive." [movieweb]

Mentioned previously in post of 3 different films of Snow White and 2 of Cinderella ...

Cinderella - A Modern Musical Extravaganza

I posted about this earlier and since I love most things to do with fairytales, I wish I was in California to see this "traditonal London panto". Running from now until December 19, 2010 at the El Portal Theatre.

"In the style of the outrageous British holiday pantos, the Lythgoe Family (the people responsible for So You Think You Can Dance and American Idol) bring this wild, wacky and interactive holiday event to the States. The age-old fairytale of Cinderella is set to modern music, including Kelly Clarkson's "Breakaway," Michael Buble's "Just Haven't Met You Yet," and Jennifer Lopez' "Let's Get Loud." This U.S. premiere panto has a comical twist and incredible magic such as a pumpkin turning into a carriage with real live ponies right before your very eyes! "

Cinderella: A Musical Extravaganza from Countdown Los Angeles on Vimeo.

Red Riding Hood (2011)

A gothic horror re-imagining of the Little Red Riding Hood fairy tale.

starring Amanda Seyfried, Julie Christie, Gary Oldman

Directed by Catherine Hardwicke for Warner Bros., the story follows the girl with the red riding hood (Amanda Seyfried) in a medieval village being terrorized by a werewolf. Starring alongside Seyfried is Shiloh Fernandez, who will play an orphaned woodcutter whom Seyfried falls for, much to her family's displeasure. Julie Christie is playing Granny and Gary Oldman is “Father Soloman,” a head witch hunter. [The Hollywood Reporter]

Watch trailer

Amanda Seyfried, Gary Oldman

Lukas Haas, Adrian Holmes, Virginia Madsen

Billy Burke, Shiloh Fernandez, Jen Halley, Michael Shanks

IMDb
Photos: Bauer Griffin

3 Snow Whites, 2 Cinderellas and a fairytale dress...

This page has been updated and moved here: Upcoming Fairy Tales

How cool is this dress?

Jennifer Pritchard-Couchman's strapless gown is made entirely from pages of Angela Carter's Book of Fairy Tales. Using over 2500 pages from multiple copies of Carter’s book, the gown took three days to make and has "lots of frills, lots of folding, lots of stapling, paper mache and glue." It was designed for Litfest in Lancaster.
More info and pics about the dress here

3 different Snow White films currently in the works...

The Brothers Grimm: Snow White
Update: Tarsem Singh possibly on board to direct??
Brett Ratner recently revealed the movie is set to be completely different from the Disney original, with scriptwriter Melisa Wallack revisiting the original 500-year-old folk tale. He said: "This is not your grandfather's Snow White. Melisa went back to the 500-year-old folk tale and put in some of the things that were missing from Walt Disney's film. His dwarves were miners, and here they are robbers.Walt made one of the great movies of all time, but ours is edgy and there is more comedy. The original, made for its time, was soft compared to what we're going to do." [source]

Snow and the Seven (Disney)
Live-action East-meets-West take on the "Snow White" fairy tale with the fantasy adventure centering on a British girl being raised in 19th century Hong Kong. When she realizes her destiny is to conquer an evil force, she must prepare to fight by being trained by seven Shaolin monks." [source]

Snow White and the Huntsman
"This new take on the fairy tale sees an expanded role for the Huntsman. In the original story, he is ordered to take Snow White into the woods and kill her, but instead lets her go. Here, the two are chained together for part of the movie as they make their escape. The Huntsman is not a love interest (fear not, the prince is still in the story) but acts more as a mentor, teaching the teen girl to fight and survive." [movieweb]

2 stage productions of Cinderella...

Cinderella: A Modern Musical Extravaganza
"In the style of the outrageous British holiday pantos, the Lythgoe Family (the people responsible for So You Think You Can Dance and American Idol) bring this wild, wacky and interactive holiday event to the States. The age-old fairytale of Cinderella is set to modern music, including Kelly Clarkson's "Breakaway," Michael Buble's "Just Haven't Met You Yet," and Jennifer Lopez' "Let's Get Loud." This U.S. premiere panto has a comical twist and incredible magic such as a pumpkin turning into a carriage with real live ponies right before your very eyes! " Read more

Sisterella
"A stage production of "Sisterella," a pop-rock update of the Cinderella fable that had been backed by Michael Jackson, is being planned for Los Angeles next spring.

Set in turn-of-the-century New York, the musical tells the story of a wicked stepmother who tries to steal the fortune her late husband left to his daughter.

Jerry Greenberg and Frank Dileo will produce the Larry Hart-written musical, which first debuted in Los Angeles at the Pasadena Playhouse in 1996. Jackson was the executive producer." [source]

Fairy Tales in the Making?

Films with a Fairytale theme, currently in production or rumoured to be...
(Updated Feb 26, 2011)

Here's what we know about the 3 (make that 4?) proposed adaptations of Snow White. Wondering whose box office weight will carry the day and see the film to its completion? Kristen Stewart as Snow White? vs Julia Roberts as the evil queen? vs Disney - the kingpin of fairytales?!26

1- Snow White and the Huntsman (Universal)
Kristen Stewart as Snow White
Charlize Theron as evil witch
Viggo Mortensen as Huntsmen
***Release Dec 21, 2012***
"This new take on the fairy tale sees an expanded role for the Huntsman. In the original story, he is ordered to take Snow White into the woods and kill her, but instead lets her go. Here, the two are chained together for part of the movie as they make their escape. The Huntsman is not a love interest (fear not, the prince is still in the story) but acts more as a mentor, teaching the teen girl to fight and survive." [movieweb]

2- The Brothers Grimm: Snow White (Relativity Media)
Julia Roberts as evil witch
??? as Snow White
Tarsem Singh (director)
***Release June 29, 2012 ***
"Brett Ratner recently revealed the movie is set to be completely different from the Disney original, with scriptwriter Melisa Wallack revisiting the original 500-year-old folk tale. He said: "This is not your grandfather's Snow White. Melisa went back to the 500-year-old folk tale and put in some of the things that were missing from Walt Disney's film. His dwarves were miners, and here they are robbers.Walt made one of the great movies of all time, but ours is edgy and there is more comedy. The original, made for its time, was soft compared to what we're going to do." [source]

3- Snow and the Seven (Disney)
Writer - Michael Arndt (from Toy Story 3)
*** Release 2013? ***
Live-action East-meets-West take on the "Snow White" fairy tale with the fantasy adventure centering on a British girl being raised in 19th century Hong Kong. When she realizes her destiny is to conquer an evil force, she must prepare to fight by being trained by seven Shaolin monks." [source]

4. Once Upon a Time
-tv series in planning stages by two of the writers of Lost, lead character will be Snow White? (to be played by Ginnifer Godwin) more details here

Read about upcoming Wizard of Oz adaptations here

The latest casting news, (although still just a rumour) is that Amanda Seyfried will become Disney's newest princess in a remake of Cinderella (presumably banking on the popularity as seen by Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland). Seyfried is currently working on The Girl With the Red Riding Hood, a gothic remake to be produced by Leonardo Dicaprio.


The Bear and the Bow (2011)
Disney-Pixar film will feature the voices of Reese Witherspoon, Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson and Julie Walters. (Pixar's first fairy tale, is a combination of writer Brenda Chapman's love of Hans Christian Andersen and the Brothers Grimm)

Enchanted sequel?
Variety reports that plans are in the works for a sequel to the highly successful 'Enchanted' which starred Amy Adams and Patrick Dempsey. No word yet on cast or plotline.
I'm still waiting on word of a suitable script and that Amy Adams will return.

Joe Wright (director of 2005 P&P) considering a live action "Little Mermaid"?

Elizabeth Banks to Play Live-Action Tinker Bell ?


Tim Burton to remake Sleeping Beauty?
Sounds like Burton's next film might focus on the evil fairy Maleficent. Angelina Jolie's name is being dropped to take on the lead role of Maleficent.

Beauty Sleep
Australian production of Sleeping Beauty to be directed by Mark Rosman, screenplay by Becca Topol (synopsis)

Legends
"The story in “Legends” is set in motion when the remains of Pinocchio are discovered. Red Hood, now a noted wolf hunter, and Jack partner to discover who is murdering the creatures of folklore. Along the way, they are assisted by characters such as Goldilocks, re-imagined as a mercenary, and Hansel & Gretel, now psychic exterminators. The world of the graphic novel is a mash-up of steampunk and creatures, technology and magic."

Hansel and Gretel in 3D
"Hansel & Gretel in 3D is an action packed visual FX filled version of the beloved Grimm Brothers' fairy tale. This famous story is known around the globe from Japan to Germany to Australia. Cutting edge special effects and non-stop action usher this timeless tale into the millennium. The story takes place against the backdrop of an enchanted forest in Germany. The film blends the gothic mystique of witchcraft with fantastical creatures and endearing human characters. "Hansel & Gretel in 3D" will introduce the legendary beings of Teutonic (Germanic) mythology. A collection of German history's most notorious and intriguing characters will be unveiled to modern movie audiences for the first time."

Tangled (2010)
"In this new telling of the classic fairy tale, Rapunzel, audiences will be transported to a stunning CG fantasy world complete with the iconic tower, an evil witch, a gallant hero and, of course, the mysterious girl with the long golden tresses. Expect adventure, heart, humor, and hair… lots of hair"

Tangled (2010)

A friend was just mentioning last week how we were surprised that Disney hadn't yet made a movie about Rapunzel and voilà! Release date: November 24

"In this new telling of the classic fairy tale, Rapunzel, audiences will be transported to a stunning CG fantasy world complete with the iconic tower, an evil witch, a gallant hero and, of course, the mysterious girl with the long golden tresses. Expect adventure, heart, humor, and hair… lots of hair, when Rapunzel unleashes her locks in theaters for the 2010 holiday." The voice cast includes Ewan Macgregor and Steve Martin.
Music by Alan Menken.
IMDb

Extended trailer
Short new fun trailer

Mandy Moore, voice of Rapunzel

Zachary Levi as Flynn the bandit

Wonder if the squirrel in earlier pics has been replaced by chameleon?

The story is based on the classic German fairy tale Rapunzel by the Brothers Grimm and the movie’s visual style is being based on French Rococo artist Jean-Honore Fragonard’s painting “The Swing” shown on left.

I suppose this image will be changed since it's no longer being called Unbraided...
(mta - new title is TANGLED)

This is one of those fairytales that I've forgotten how it unfolds, but I found this synopsis of the plot on wikipedia.