The Huntsman: Winter's War Explained

The Huntsman: Winter's War
Director:Cedric Nicolas-Troyan
Producer:Joe Roth
Narrator:Liam Neeson
Music:James Newton Howard
Cinematography:Phedon Papamichael
Editing:Conrad Buff
Production Companies:
Distributor:Universal Pictures
Runtime:114 minutes[1]
120 minutes (extended edition)
Country:United States
Language:English
Budget:$115 million[2]
Gross:$165 million[3]

The Huntsman: Winter's War is a 2016 American fantasy action-adventure film. Billed as both a prequel and sequel to Snow White & the Huntsman (2012), it marks the directorial debut of Cedric Nicolas-Troyan. It takes place before and after the events of the first film. The screenplay was written by Craig Mazin and Evan Spiliotopoulos and is based on characters created by Evan Daugherty. Chris Hemsworth, Charlize Theron, Nick Frost and Sam Claflin reprised their roles from the first film, with Emily Blunt, Jessica Chastain and Rob Brydon joining.

The Huntsman: Winter's War premiered in Hamburg March 2016 and was released in the United States in April 2016, by Universal Pictures to negative reviews from critics. Praise was directed at the visuals and cast but many felt the film was unnecessary. It grossed $165 million worldwide against an estimated $115 million production budget.

Plot

The evil sorceress Queen Ravenna's Magic Mirror allows her to know that her younger sister, Princess Freya, whose own powers have not yet emerged, is not only involved in an illicit affair with a nobleman, Andrew, but is also pregnant with his illegitimate child. Freya gives birth to a daughter, but later she discovers that Andrew has murdered their baby. In a grief-fueled rage, her broken heart freezes over, and Freya kills him with the sudden emergence of her powers—the cryokinetic ability to create and control ice and snow, sleet, frost and hail with her mind.

After her infant daughter's death, the heartbroken Freya leaves, building herself a kingdom in the icy mountains in the north. Ruling as the much-feared Snow Queen, she orders for parents to be killed and for their children to be brought to her castle so they can be trained as her army. She teaches them to avoid the pain of love that she had suffered; despite this, two of her best huntsmen, Eric and Sara, fall in love. Sara claims Eric in "marriage" by giving him her mother's medallion necklace. They make a plan to escape in order to have a free life together but are discovered by Freya. Eric sees Sara killed while he is beaten and thrown into a river.

Seven years later, after Queen Ravenna's death in the first film, Queen Snow White of Tabor falls ill after hearing the Mirror beckon her. Because of its dark magic, she orders it to be taken to Sanctuary, the same magical place that sheltered her and Eric during the events leading to her stepmother's defeat and death. Snow White's husband, King William, informs Eric that the soldiers tasked with carrying the Mirror went missing en route. Aware that its dark magic can make Snow Queen Freya stronger, Eric the Huntsman agrees to try and retrieve the Mirror; Queen Snow White's dwarf ally Nion and his half-brother Gryff accompany him.

They travel to the last location of the soldiers. Eric discovers they killed one another with their own weapons. The trio is attacked by Freya's huntsmen and are rescued by Sara, who is revealed to be alive. Sara explains that she was imprisoned by Freya and only escaped recently. She has not forgiven Eric, thinking that he abandoned her. They decipher that Eric was shown an illusion of Sara's death while she was made to see him running rather than fighting. Eric convinces her that Freya had tricked them both.

The group goes to the forest of the goblins who had stolen the mirror. During the fight, Sara notices that Eric still wears the necklace she gave him. They retrieve the mirror and save each other in another fight. That night, Eric and Sara make love. The next morning, Freya attacks and reveals that Sara had been loyal to her all along. Sara shoots an arrow at Eric, and Freya departs with the Mirror, unaware that Sara had purposely hit Eric's medallion necklace, which protects him from dying. At her palace, Freya asks the Mirror who is the "fairest of them all," resurrecting Ravenna, whose dark vital essence became one with the Magic Mirror when Princess Snow White vanquished and killed her.

Eric attempts to assassinate Snow Queen Freya, but is stopped by Ravenna. She begins to attack the huntsmen, and Freya, who has come to regard the Huntsmen as her children, protects them from her sister with an ice wall. As Eric, Sara, and the huntsmen climb over the wall to retrieve the Mirror and help Freya, the sisters argue. Ravenna lets slip that she's responsible for Freya's powers. Suspicious, Snow Queen Freya forces Ravenna to reveal that the Mirror had told her Freya's child would become more beautiful than Ravenna herself. She then enchanted Andrew to kill his own newborn daughter. Outraged, Snow Queen Freya turns on her sister, but is impaled by her. With her last remaining strength, she cryokinetically freezes the Mirror and Eric shatters it, destroying the essence of Queen Ravenna for good. As Freya dies, she smiles at a vision of her younger self holding her daughter as well as at Eric and Sara; her last words being, "How lucky you are." With the death of the Snow Queen, those who had been imprisoned by her are set free. Eric and Sara are finally able to have a life together for the first time.

Cast

Production

Development

A sequel to Snow White & the Huntsman was initially planned with director Rupert Sanders in talks to return.[4] The sequel plans were changed in August 2012 to a spin-off film concentrating on the Huntsman instead.[5] Universal announced a few days later that they were not shelving the sequel.[6] Another report stated that Universal authorised a sequel with Stewart set to reprise her role, but without Sanders to return as the director.[7] A script was written and production was set to begin at some point in 2013,[8] with the film to be released in 2015.[9] On June 4, 2014, Deadline reported that Frank Darabont, Gavin O'Connor and Andrés Muschietti were on the shortlist to direct a sequel.[10] On June 26, 2014, Deadline confirmed that Darabont was in talks to direct the sequel.[11]

In 2014 it was announced that the film would be a prequel titled Huntsman and would not star Stewart as Snow White.[12] [13] Two years later, Stewart said that she voluntarily turned down an offer from the studio to provide a cameo in the film.[14] On January 16, 2015, it was announced that Darabont had exited the film after he parted with Universal.[15] Hemsworth and Theron were set to return for the film, while Emily Blunt was being circled for a new role. In 2015 it was confirmed that VFX specialist Cedric Nicolas-Troyan was set to direct the film, whose last draft was written by Darabont, following drafts by Craig Mazin and Evan Spiliotopoulos.[16]

Casting

In 2015 Jessica Chastain was set to star in the film, Nick Frost was confirmed to reprise his previous role, while Blunt, who had been rumored to be interested, finally closed a deal to star as well.[17] On March 18, 2015, it was revealed that Sheridan Smith, Rob Brydon and Alexandra Roach were added to the cast to play dwarves alongside Frost's character Nion.[18] TheWrap confirmed on May 7, 2015, that Sam Claflin would return as William in the sequel.[19]

Filming

Principal photography on the film began in April 2015.[20] Filming took place at Waverley Abbey in Surrey, England in April 2015.[21] Filming also occurred from May to July 2015 in Windsor Great Park, England, at locations including South Forest, Johnson's Pond and in the Deer Park near Snow Hill.[22] Filming was also done in Wells Bishop's Palace and Wells Cathedral.[23] In July 2015, filming also took place at Puzzlewood, in the Forest of Dean.[24]

Music

In October 2015, it was officially announced, that James Newton Howard would return to score the film, after creating the music for Snow White & the Huntsman. The score album was released on April 22, 2016.[25] Singer Halsey promoted the film by releasing an alternate version of her song "Castle", along with a subsequent music video, made for the film.

Release

On July 31, 2014, Universal Pictures announced the film's release date would be April 22, 2016. In February 2016, it was announced that the film would be released in 3D in international markets like Germany. In Poland, the theatrical release was scheduled for April 8, 2016, which was the date for many other international markets.[26]

Marketing

On November 16, 2015, Universal Pictures unveiled four character posters for the film, along with the film's new title, The Huntsman: Winter's War.[27] Three days later, on November 18, 2015, the first official trailer of the film was released, along with two additional teaser posters.[28] A second trailer debuted on February 11, 2016.[29] Universal released a final trailer on March 22, 2016.[30] Hemsworth, Theron and Chastain introduced a performance by Halsey of "Castle" at the 2016 MTV Movie Awards.

Home media

The Huntsman: Winter's War was released on Digital HD in August 2016 and was followed by a release on Blu-ray and DVD on August 23, 2016.[31] [32] The film debuted at No. 1 on the home video sales chart.[33] A Blu-ray extended edition (with DVD & digital HD) was also released with a run time of 120 minutes.

Reception

Box office

The Huntsman: Winter's War grossed $48.4 million in North America and $116.6 million in other territories for a worldwide total of $165 million, against a production budget of $115 million.

North America

In the United States and Canada, early tracking suggested the film would open to $24–30 million, which was significantly lower than its predecessor's $56.2 million opening in 2012. The film opened in 3,791 theaters[34] [35] [36] and grossed $7.3 million on its first day,[37] including $1 million from its early Thursday night previews. In its opening weekend, it grossed a lower-than-expected $19.4 million, which was about 64% less than the original film's opening.[38] [39] Due to its underperforming opening weekend, the film lost Universal $30–40 million, with some estimates having the total losses at up to $70 million.[40] The Hollywood Reporter estimated the film lost the studio at least $75 million when factoring together all expenses and revenues.[41]

Outside North America

Internationally The Huntsman: Winter's War was released in a total of 65 countries.[42] There were some estimates that the film would end its run at about $150 million internationally, which would have been lower than its predecessor's total of $240 million. One notable difference was that while Winter's War had secured a release date in China, Snow White & the Huntsman had not played there and analysts believed that could make "some difference". It was released in 18 countries two weeks ahead of its U.S. debut, earning $19.1 million from 3,969 screens and had No. 1 openings in eleven of them and second overall at the international box office charts, behind the superhero film .[43] In its second weekend, it added 7 new markets and grossed a total of $17.8 million, falling only by 8% from its previews weekend and still remained at No. 2, behind The Jungle Book.[44] It was still No. 2 in its third weekend.[45] Its top openings occurred in China ($10.4 million), the United Kingdom and Ireland ($4.2 million), Brazil ($3.1 million), Mexico ($2.8 million), France ($2.6 million), Korea ($2.1 million), Russia ($2 million), the Philippines ($1.6 million), Malaysia ($1.6 million), Spain ($1.4 million) and Thailand ($1.2 million).[44] [43] [45] In China, it was in third place, behind local pic Yesterday Once More and the continued run of The Jungle Book.[45] It lost a large number of screens in its second weekend due to the arrival of three new local picsBook of Love, Phantom of the Theater and MBA Partnersalong with the continued run of The Jungle Book and as a result it grossed just $710,000.[46]

In terms of total earnings, its largest markets outside of North America are China ($15.6 million), the UK ($7.3 million) and Mexico ($7.2 million).[47]

Critical response

[48] On Metacritic, the film has a score of 35 out of 100, based on 41 critics, indicating "generally unfavourable reviews".[49] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale and PostTrak surveys give it a total positive score of 72%, but only a 49% audience recommendation.[50]

Accolades

AwardCategoryRecipientsResult
Golden Trailer AwardsBest Action"No Mercy"[51]
Best Fantasy Adventure"Mirror Online"
The Don LaFontaine Award for Best Voice Over"Mirror Online"
Best Motion/Title Graphics"Mirror Online"
Jupiter AwardsBest International ActorChris Hemsworth[52]
Teen Choice AwardsChoice Movie: Sci-Fi/FantasyThe Huntsman: Winter's War[53]
Choice Movie: Actor Sci-Fi/FantasyChris Hemsworth
Choice Movie: Actress Sci-Fi/FantasyCharlize Theron
Choice Movie: VillainCharlize Theron
Choice Movie: LiplockChris Hemsworth & Jessica Chastain
Choice Music: Song from a Movie or TV Show"Castle" by Halsey

Notes and References

  1. Web site: THE HUNTSMAN: WINTER'S WAR [2D] (12A) ]. . March 23, 2016 . March 23, 2016.
  2. FilmL.A. . May 23, 2017 . 2016 Feature Film Study . FilmL.A. Feature Film Study. 25. May 10, 2018.
  3. Web site: The Huntsman: Winter's War (2016) . . January 9, 2017.
  4. News: Fleming. Mike Jr.. Universal Gets Rolling On 'Snow White And The Huntsman' Sequel. August 28, 2018. Deadline.com. June 7, 2012.
  5. News: Kristen Stewart Dropped from 'Snow White' Sequel Plans (Exclusive). Kim Masters. The Hollywood Reporter. August 14, 2012. August 15, 2012. December 19, 2013. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20131219211425/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/kristen-stewart-dropped-snow-white-sequel-hemsworth-361945. mdy-all.
  6. News: Kristen Stewart hasn't been dropped from Snow White sequel, says studio. Ann Lee. Metro. August 14, 2012. August 16, 2012. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20121025182639/http://www.metro.co.uk/film/908723-kristen-stewart-hasnt-been-dropped-from-snow-white-sequel-says-studio. October 25, 2012. mdy-all.
  7. Web site: Kristen Stewart to star in 'Snow White' sequel sans cheating director. Abhijeet. Sen. RealBollywood.com. November 20, 2012. April 20, 2013. November 22, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121122053928/http://www.realbollywood.com/2012/11/kristen-stewart-star-snow-white-sequel-sans-cheating-director.html. dead. mdy-all.
  8. Web site: Kristen Stewart Confirmed For 'Snow White And The Huntsman' Sequel: 'I'm So Excited'. The Huffington Post. December 21, 2012. December 26, 2012. Cavan. Sieczkowski. December 24, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121224100218/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/21/kristen-stewart-confirmed-snow-what-and-the-huntsman-sequel_n_2347583.html. live. mdy-all.
  9. Web site: Universal Aiming for 2015 Release for Snow White and the Huntsman 2; "Actively Working" on Next Bourne. collider.com. Adam. Chitwood. April 16, 2013. April 20, 2013. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20130419231556/http://collider.com/snow-white-huntsman-sequel-2015-release-date/. April 19, 2013. mdy-all.
  10. Web site: 'Huntsman 2′ Helmer Short List: Frank Darabont, Gavin O'Connor, Andy Muschietti. Fleming. Mike Jr.. Deadline Hollywood. June 4, 2014. June 4, 2014. August 5, 2014. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140805225609/http://deadline.com/2014/06/huntsman-2-helmer-short-list-frank-darabont-gavin-oconnor-andy-muschietti/. mdy-all.
  11. Web site: Frank Darabont In Talks To Direct 'Snow White And The Huntsman 2′. Fleming. Mike Jr.. Deadline Hollywood. June 26, 2014. June 26, 2014. July 7, 2014. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140707174337/http://www.deadline.com/2014/06/frank-darabont-snow-white-and-the-huntsman-2-director-talks/. mdy-all.
  12. News: Universal's Snow White Prequel 'Huntsman' Targets April 2016 Release. August 1, 2014. Deadline Hollywood. July 31, 2014. August 5, 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140805225453/http://www.deadline.com/2014/07/huntsman-movie-snow-white-sequel-release-date-april-22-2016/. mdy-all.
  13. Web site: The Huntsman Prequel Set For April 2016, The Mummy Moves to June. Dickson. Evan. July 31, 2014. Collider.com. March 2, 2017.
  14. Web site: Why Kristen Stewart Was Happy To Not Be Part Of The Huntsman: Winter's War. Reyes. Mike. June 2016. CinemaBlend. March 2, 2017.
  15. News: Fleming. Mike Jr.. Frank Darabont Exits 'The Huntsman'; Emily Blunt Still Circling. January 17, 2015. Deadline Hollywood. January 16, 2015.
  16. News: Kroll. Justin. Cedric Nicolas-Troyan to Replace Frank Darabont as 'Huntsman' Director. January 21, 2015. variety.com. January 20, 2015.
  17. News: Jaafar. Ali. Jessica Chastain Joins 'The Huntsman' For Universal. February 26, 2015. Deadline Hollywood. February 24, 2015.
  18. News: Ford. Rebecca. Universal's 'The Huntsman' Finds Its Dwarves (Exclusive). March 22, 2015. hollywoodreporter.com. March 18, 2015.
  19. News: Sneider. Jeff. Verhoeven. Beatrice. Sam Claflin Returns for 'The Huntsman' Without Kristen Stewart's Snow White. May 9, 2015. thewrap.com. May 7, 2015 . Sam Claflin, who played Snow White’s love interest William in “Snow White and the Huntsman,” will return for Universal’s sequel “The Huntsman,”.
  20. News: Panosian. Diane. On the Set for 4/6/15: 'Captain America: Civil War' & 'The Huntsman' Start Shooting, Ryan Coogler Wraps 'Rocky' Sequel 'Creed'. April 6, 2015. ssninsider.com. April 6, 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150408225607/http://www.ssninsider.com/on-the-set-for-4615-captain-america-civil-war-the-huntsman-start-shooting-ryan-coogler-wraps-rocky-sequel-creed. April 8, 2015. mdy-all.
  21. Web site: Surrey Film Locations . 22 April 2015 . SurreyLife . 28 June 2015 . July 1, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150701015241/http://www.surreylife.co.uk/out-about/surrey_film_locations_1_2003801 . dead .
  22. News: The Huntsman filming starts as Chris Hemsworth, Emily Blunt don Medieval costumes on set; Extras needed for filming. July 7, 2015. vcpost.com. July 6, 2015.
  23. Web site: Hollywood film set in Wells includes fake castle. July 8, 2015. Wells Journal. December 2, 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20151125081230/http://www.wellsjournal.co.uk/Hollywood-film-set-Wells-includes-fake-castle/story-26856245-detail/story.html. November 25, 2015. mdy-all.
  24. Web site: Show business: Hollywood visits Gloucestershire to film Huntsman movie at Puzzlewood. South West Business. 21 July 2015.
  25. Web site: 'The Huntsman: Winter's War' Soundtrack Details. 2016-03-24. Film Music Reporter. 2016-03-24.
  26. Web site: Łowca i Królowa Lodu. February 23, 2016 . Filmweb. pl. 21 April 2016.
  27. News: See Charlize Theron, Jessica Chastain in new The Huntsman: Winter's War character posters . Devon . Coggan . November 16, 2015 . November 16, 2015 . Entertainment Weekly.
  28. News: Charlize Theron and Emily Blunt amass an army of darkness in The Huntsman: Winter's War trailer. . November 18, 2015 . November 18, 2015 . Coggan . Devon .
  29. News: The New Huntsman: Winter's War Trailer is Here!. Comingsoon.net . February 11, 2016 . February 11, 2016 . Comingsoon.net Staff .
  30. News: 'Huntsman: Winter's War,' With Emily Blunt, Charlize Theron, Jessica Chastain, Gets Final Trailer. Forbes . March 22, 2016 . March 22, 2016 . Scott Mendelson .
  31. http://www.dvdsreleasedates.com/movies/6188/The-Huntsman-Winters-War-2016.html The Huntsman Winter's War (2016)
  32. Web site: August 23: This Week on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD . August 23, 2016 . Comingsoon.net . en . 19 June 2017.
  33. http://www.homemediamagazine.com/research/huntsman-leads-pack-newcomers-atop-disc-sales-38731 'Huntsman' Leads Pack of Newcomers Atop Disc Sales
  34. Web site: 'The Jungle Book' Expected To Snow Under 'The Huntsman: Winter's War'. Anita Busch. Deadline Hollywood. April 19, 2016. April 20, 2016.
  35. Web site: Box Office: 'The Huntsman: Winter's War' No Match for 'The Jungle Book'. Brent Lang. Variety. April 20, 2016. April 21, 2016.
  36. Web site: 'Jungle Book' To Repeat at #1 Over 'The Huntsman: Winter's War'. Brad Brevet. Box Office Mojo. April 21, 2016. April 22, 2016.
  37. Web site: Box Office: 'Huntsman: Winter's War' Gets Iced With Chilly $7.3M Friday. Scott Mendelson. Forbes. April 23, 2016. April 23, 2016.
  38. Web site: 'Jungle Book' Still A Box Office Bestseller With $60.8M, 'Huntsman' Trips With $20.1M – Saturday AM Update. Anthony D'Alessandro. Deadline Hollywood. April 23, 2016. April 24, 2016.
  39. Web site: Weekend Box Office: 'The Huntsman' Opens 64% Lower Than 'Snow White And The Huntsman'. Scott Mendelson. Forbes. April 24, 2016. April 24, 2016.
  40. Web site: 'Huntsman' Faces Steep Writedown After Chilly Box Office Results . Brent Lang . Variety. April 26, 2016. April 27, 2016.
  41. Web site: 'Ben Hur' to 'BFG': Hollywood's Biggest Box-Office Bombs of 2016. Pamela McClintock. Mia Galuppo. The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media, LLC. September 8, 2016. July 13, 2018.
  42. Web site: 'The Huntsman: Winter's War' Waging $21.3M Weekend In Offshore Bow – Intl Box Office. Nancy Tartaglione. Deadline Hollywood. April 9, 2016. April 10, 2016.
  43. Web site: 'Batman V Superman' At $487.7M Offshore; 'Jungle Book' Swings With $31.7M; 'Huntsman' Misses Mark; 'Zootopia' Sets Dis China Record – Intl B.O. Final. Nancy Tartaglione. Deadline Hollywood. April 11, 2016. April 12, 2016.
  44. Web site: 'The Jungle Book' Jumps To $138.6M; Passing $300M WW Today, 'Batman v Superman' At $829M WW – Intl B.O. Final. Nancy Tartaglione. Deadline Hollywood. April 17, 2016. April 18, 2016.
  45. Web site: 'Jungle Book' A $337M Offshore Beast As 'Huntsman' Musters $80M; 'Zootopia' Tops $900M Global – Intl B.O. Update. Nancy Tartaglione. Deadline Hollywood. April 24, 2016. April 25, 2016.
  46. Web site: China Box Office: 'Book of Love' Wins May Day Weekend. Patrick Frater. Variety. May 1, 2016. May 2, 2016.
  47. Web site: 'Captain America: Civil War' Blasts Off With $200.2M In First Overseas Frame; 'Jungle Book' Still A Beast – Intl Box Office Update. Nancy Tartaglione. Deadline Hollywood. May 1, 2016. May 1, 2016.
  48. Web site: The Huntsman: Winter's War (2016) . . June 13, 2024.
  49. Web site: The Huntsman: Winter's War reviews . . May 5, 2020.
  50. Web site: 'Jungle Book' Remains King Of The B.O. With $52M-$57M; 'Huntsman' Seeking $21M-$23M . . April 25, 2016 . PostTrak has a total positive score at 72% (either very good or excellent) with only 49% of the audience recommending it to their friends, and that’s low. Despite winning over both the under-25 and under-18 crowds with an A- CinemaScore, the sheer power of Jungle Book is one of the factors holding this demo back from Huntsman this weekend..
  51. Web site: The 17th Annual Golden Trailer Award Nominees . GoldenTrailer.com . October 27, 2016 . June 8, 2016 . https://archive.today/20160608102257/http://www.goldentrailer.com/gta17_nominees/ . dead .
  52. Web site: The Jupiter Awards 2017 . . December 26, 2016.
  53. Web site: Teen Choice Awards 2016 Nominations Announced: See the "First Wave" of Potential Winners . Vulpo . Mike . . May 24, 2016 . May 25, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160526090121/http://www.eonline.com/news/767635/teen-choice-awards-2016-nominations-announced-see-the-first-wave-of-potential-winners . May 26, 2016 . live . mdy-all .