Breathe Easy, 'Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters' Will Be Rated R After All

News

by Kevin Jagernauth
August 10, 2012 6:59 PM
4 Comments

With a release date for "Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters" pushed from this past spring to next January, and then rumors that Paramount was trying to figure out whether to release the film in a PG-13 incarnation or R-rated, it seemed like the movie was facing some trouble. Fear not: those who like their entertainment to be the kind that forces those under 17 to be accompanied by a parent or guardian are in luck.

The dudes over at Collider, who first brought the supposed ratings frenzy to light, have learned that 'Witch Hunters' will go out in an R-rated version as God intended. Apparently, the IMDB commenters who attended recent test screenings were confused/wrong (shocker), and what they saw was R-rated, and that's how Paramount plans to roll. And it makes sense given that the movie is directed by Tommy Wirkola who made the Nazis and zombies flick "Dead Snow" -- we didn't think PG-13 was in his blood. And for a movie that follows up with the titular fairy tale kids after the incident at the gingerbread house, a balls to the wall approach is pretty much the best thing going for it at this point. So how about a trailer then?

Starring Jeremy Renner, Gemma Arterton, Famke Janssen and Peter Stormare, "Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters" opens on January 11, 2013.

News

More: Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters

4 Comments

| Reply
Alan | August 11, 2012 3:04 AMReply

I didn't care either way, but thanks for the update.
Fugedaboutit | August 10, 2012 10:31 PMReply

Face it, it's going to suck either way. March date bumped almost a whole year into February?
Evan88 | August 12, 2012 12:30 PM

They pushed it back because the 3D wasn't done and they wanted to see if they could rope in movie tickets AFTER Renner's three blockbusters than BEFORE them. Pretty smart marketing, actually, they'll get loads more money now.

I am a huge Renner fan. With that said, I think all expectations for this movie are relatively low, because 1. These "fantasy spin-offs" never work (or haven't at all recently--to wit, two shots at Snow White this year and neither did it right) and 2. This is a much smaller audience that will like this kind of movie (characterized as Tarantino violence + Grimm storyline - actual Tarantino). I'm behind it all the way, I loved Grindhouse and gore, so as long as they keep it fun and ridiculous and bloody and toungue-in-cheek, I think it might be alright. Those who saw the gorey version said it was hilarious, so I'm glad they're keeping it that way.

Balls to the wall indeed.
Markunator | August 11, 2012 9:28 AM

The fact that its release was pushed back 11 months doesn't mean that the film is going to suck. It might just mean that the studio didn't think the film could survive in 2012. Renner is a bigger star now because of "The Avengers" and "The Bourne Legacy", so this film will get some more momentum. I'm personally very excited about this. I can't wait to see a trailer.