10 Actors That You Never Knew Produced Horror Movies
7. Will Ferrell - Hansel And Gretel: Witch Hunters (2013)
Though the Jeremy Renner/Gemma Arterton movie Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters is more of an action-horror movie than a traditional horror movie, it has one surprising name as a producer: comedian Will Ferrell.
Ferrell became attached to the film through the production company he founded with frequent collaborator Adam McKay, Gary Sanchez Productions. Norwegian director Tommy Wirkola's movie zombie horror movie Dead Snow was a minor hit and was noticed by Kevin Messick, who frequently produces Gary Sanchez movies. Wirkola pitched Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters to Gary Sanchez. Seeing franchise potential in the idea, they went for it.
Despite doing poorly in the U.S., Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters became a big hit in Brazil and Europe. That overseas success means a sequel is currently in preproduction, which would make it only the second sequel from Gary Sanchez Productions after Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues. Though it's an odd leap from Ron Burgundy to witch hunting, you can't argue with box office success.