Not long ago, it was announced that there were two Snow White projects in the works, one starring Lily Cole as the raven haired princess, Mirror, Mirror, and the other starring Kristen Stewart as the fairy tale heroine, Snow White and the Huntsman. The comparisons started immediately, despite the fact that no one knew anything about either project. As time goes by and we learn more about the two films, it’s becoming more and more evident that, aside from sharing common characters, these films could not be more different. Let’s look at what we know so far.
The Premise
Snow White and the Huntsman
The Kristen Stewart Snow White project is only really loosely based on the fairytale, offering a fresh and unique twist on the story. In this version of the story, The Huntsman (Chris Hemsworth) embarks on a mission given to him by the Evil Queen (Charlize Theron). He is to lure Snow White (Stewart) into the woods and kill her. When it comes time though, he is simply unable to bring himself to do it and instead, vows to protect Snow and teach her the ways of the sword. Together they embark on a whole new mission – putting an end to the Queen.
Mirror, Mirror
The Lily Collins project seems to be focused far more on staying true to the original story. Although, like Snow White and the Huntsman, Mirror, Mirror puts its own spin on things, it does have a slightly whimsical, old school fairytale sort of vibe. In this telling, Snow White’s kingdom is in ruins and Snow White has lost control to the Evil Queen (Julia Roberts). She joins forces with the dwarves we all remember from the classic fairytale to reclaim her kingdom and defeat the Queen.
The Characters
Snow White and the Huntsman
In Huntsman, it’s pretty clear Chris Hemsworth’s Huntsman character (the Woodman from the original story) plays a pretty significant role in the action but he barely seems to factor into Mirror, Mirror at all; at least not according to cast information. This is going to be a pretty big difference between the two movies. One gets the impression that with the Huntsman playing such a big role, this will be less a fairytale movie and more a straight ahead action movie.
Mirror, Mirror
There are several characters in Mirror, Mirror that don’t seem to show up in Huntsman but Brighton (Nathan Lane) and the King (Sean Bean) seem to be the most obviously apparent. If the stills released from the movie are any indication, Brighton is the Queen’s right hand man, perhaps a servant of some kind. While we’ve yet to see images of the King, one has to assume he plays a decent sized role considering he’s being played by a heavyweight like Sean Bean.
The Cast
Snow White and the Huntsman
You may know Sam Claflin from Pirates of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, United, Any Human Heart or The Pillars of the Earth but in Snow White and the Huntsman, you’ll know Sam as Prince Charmant. In the first set of official promo pictures from the production, we see the Prince as a stern, dark looking figure who wields a sword and a hard stare. He definitely isn’t your typical Prince Charming and offers perhaps the first evidence that this one is not going to be your typical Snow White story.
Mirror, Mirror
You probably know Armie as the Winklevoss twins from The Social Network or from his stint on Gossip Girl and in Mirror, Mirror, you’ll get to know him as Prince Andrew Alcott. In the first promotional stills from Mirror, Mirror we see the prince you’d expect to see in a traditional fairy tale. Dashing, handsome and well dressed he is perfect as the Prince Charming so many girls grew up dreaming of.
Snow White and the Huntsman
Charlize Theron, best known for her work in The Devil’s Advocate, Mighty Joe Young, The Astronaut’s Wife, The Cider House Rules, Men Of Honor, The Legend of Bagger Vance, Sweet November, The Italian Job, Monster, Hancock and The Road, is the absolutely perfect choice for a darker kind of Evil Queen as the first promo pictures from the film demonstrates. The coldhearted, icy stare is dark yet alluring. This Queen, clutching her dagger, is not a woman to be tangled with.
Mirror, Mirror
I’m sure Julia Roberts needs to introduction. In the first official production stills from Mirror, Mirror, we see a much softer Queen. She almost seems kind and warn, at least when compared to Theron’s Queen. Despite her appearance though, we known the Queen is most definitely evil which makes that calm and almost loving exterior all the more disarming. She is the kind of Queen that will rock you gently to sleep than smother you with a pillow.
Snow White and the Huntsman
Of course the biggest difference between these projects, apparent with even a passing glance, is Snow White herself. In the first promotional pictures from Snow White and the Huntsman, we see a Snow White clad in armor, clutching a sword and looking just the slightest bit unsure of herself. There’s a vague vulnerability about Stewart’s gaze but also a kind of dogged determination. Perhaps life has been unkind to young Snow White but she’s not going to take it lying down. She’s going to fight back. It is a darker, grittier Snow White than one would expect but new and refreshing at the same time. This Snow White is exciting, even if she promises a very different take on the story.
Mirror, Mirror
Now this – this is what we expect from Snow White. She looks fragile and innocent. She’s a delicate, beautiful creature with a classic, flawless sort of innocence about her – the kind of traits a vain and self-centered Queen may want to destroy. Jealousy is an ugly thing, is it not? Lily Collins, known for her work in The Blind Side, Priest and Abduction, is perfect for the role. Taking just one look at Lily as Snow White tells us we can expect a fairy tale although perhaps not the one we’re expecting. This Snow White is a peaceful young woman who only wants what is rightfully hers.
To be honest, I don’t know which movie I’m looking forward to more. Snow White and the Huntsman promises something out of the ordinary but I’m concerned it’s going to wind up being just another action movie. Mirror, Mirror looks like it will stick closer to the fairy tale realm but I’m not sure it will be different enough to really say it tells a new story. I’m going to go with Mirror, Mirror but only because a good fairy tale appeals to me more than an action flick. These are two completely different movies targeted at two completely different crowds but I dare say, both are going to do just fine when they hit theaters.
Want more Mirror, Mirror? Check out the rest of the official photos from the movie in the gallery below:[nggallery id=17]
