Renner and Rapace to play Hansel and Gretel?

Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker) and Noomi Rapace (The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo) are reportedly in talks to star in Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters.

The film has been set up at Paramount by Adam McKay (The Other Guys, Anchorman) through his Gary Sanchez Productions shingle. Tommy Wirkola (Dead Snow) is lined up to direct.

Renner supposedly revealed his involvement during an interview at the Venice Film Festival. The report comes from Dagsavisen, who posted Renner’s comments in Norwegian. Here’s the (rough) translation courtesy of Slashfilm:

“I liked Dead Snow, and I like seeing that Scandinavian directors have a combination of horror and humor. I think Hansel and Gretel will be awesome. I play him and Noomi Rapace plays Gretel. They have become adults, are damned and going on witch hunting.”

Historically, tidbits dropped by Renner usually turn out to be true (he let slip that he was going to star in The Avengers almost an entire year before it was officially announced).

Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters is currently undergoing rewrites, but the tone is reportedly in line with horror comedies such as Shaun of the Dead and Evil Dead 2.

Discuss: There’s a lot of elements to digest here. Rapace + Renner + McKay + Wirkola. Where to begin?