Sequel in the works for 'Snow White and the Huntsman'

Sequel buzz was strong before "Snow White and the Huntsman" even opened, so news that Universal has greenlit a follow-up is hardly a surprise, especially after a better-than-expected opening weekend of $56 million.

Universal has hired David Koepp (who penned "Spider-Man" and "Jurassic Park") to write the script, which will pick up where the first film left off. The studio is also reportedly trying to get Rupert Sanders back in the director's chair, although he's not contracted for a second film. Stars Kristen Stewart and Chris Hemsworth are under option for both and eager to return, while (SPOILER), Charlize Theron's evil queen won't be back, so a new fairy tale villain will have to be found.

While out promoting the film, Hemsworth joked that he and Stewart are writing the sequel script themselves, "'Snow White and the Huntsman 2' [will be] written by us, and it might be more of a straight-to-video version if they let us write it.'' Stewart added, ''It'll be better. Our version? We've basically written it. No, I'm kidding. We're gonna write the second one, all of us [in the cast].''

Clone Wars: Same Movie, Same Year

Before you head to the theater this weekend to see Kristen Stewart do battle with Evil Queen Charlize Theron in "Snow White and the Huntsman" (aka the dark, PG-13-rated version of "Mirror Mirror").

'Snow White and the Huntsman' Starring Kristen Stewart, Charlize Theron, Chris Hemsworth

Fairest of Them All

Universal's take on the Snow White tale promises to be a dark journey, based on the banner that was released one day before the first trailer. The film, led by Rupert Sanders, stars Kristen Stewart as Snow White, Charlize Theron as the Queen and Chris Hemsworth as the Huntsman

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Charlize Theron

The first trailer for Universal's pic was released in Nov. 2011. Bursting with special effects, the trailer is mostly voiced by Theron, who exclaims that "beauty" is her power and ends with the fable's famous line "Lips red as blood. Hair black as night. Bring me your heart, my dear Snow White."

Kristen Stewart in the Forrest

"I've had the most indulgent experience on Snow White and the Huntsman so far," Kristen Stewart said of her experience while conducting interviews to promote Breaking Dawn – Part 1. "We had a lot of pre-production and I really got close with the director Rupert Sanders and Chris [Hemsworth] and everything, so I'm having a great time!" ' Huntsman' will be in theaters on June 1, 2012