5 Fairy Tales That Would Make Awesome Action Movies

By Maggy van Eijk /

It's that damn Hansel! He's so hot right now! In the words of Zoolander's Mugatu, Hansel is hot. And not just Hansel: a large ensemble of fairy tale characters are getting the Hollywood treatment these days. Gretel needn't worry that she will get left behind in the gingerbread house because Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters comes out this month (or next month depending on where you live), and stars Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton as the infamous siblings. Its release is a perfect example of the latest cinematic trend: classic fairy tale getting a sexy, action-packed makeover. And now that Harry's put his wand down and Narnia shut its wardrobe, there's still hope that magic will keep alive in all its glittering glory throughout the next few years. We have Cate Blanchett and Saoirse Ronan starring in Cinderella in 2014, Guillermo Del Torro is putting his trademark dark spin on the tale of Pinocchio, and in March we get to enjoy Oz The Great and Powerful with James Franco and Michelle Williams, as directed by Sam Raimi. To go with the theme of these releases I compiled a list of 5 fairy tales that I think the big bosses over in Hollywood should take a look at. They may not be the ones everyone's heard of but I hope I've made a convincing case. Just remember that if they do ever get made, you saw it here first. So let's begin. Once upon a time...