"Toy Story 3" Scribe Pens China-Set "Snow"

"Toy Story 3" Scribe Pens China-Set "Snow"

Movie News

By our guest blogger, Matt Jussim

Screenwriter Michael Arndt has already won himself and Oscar for "Little Miss Sunshine" and later this month, he could very well have another one for his work on "Toy Story 3." Either way, it's not bad these days to be Michael Arndt and the writer has just landed himself another plum job.

According to Reuters, Arndt is in negotiations to work on the script for "Snow and the Seven" for Disney Pictures.

The project, which has been in development since 2002, centers on a 19th century Englishwoman who returns to her Hong Kong home for her father's funeral, only to discover that her stepmother is plotting against her. She escapes to mainland China, finding solace among a rogue band of seven international warriors.

Production designer John Myhre ("Memoirs of a Geisha," "Chicago") has also come onboard the project, which Francis Lawrence ("I Am Legend," "Constantine") is set to direct.

The biggest question for the project hinges on actress Natalie Portman. Portman herself garnered an Oscar nomination for her role in "Black Swan" and has been circling the project since last year. Problem is, Portman is now pregnant, which just might get in the way of her starring in what should be a pretty physical shoot.

Funny enough, the film is only one of three "Snow White" projects in development. The other films are Universal's "Snow White and the Huntsman," with Charlize Theron and Viggo Mortensen, and Relativity Media's take, which Tarsem Singh is onboard to direct.

Even if Portman can't star in the film, bringing on Arndt and Myhre to the project is a step in the right direction. The script should be great and if Myhre's past work means anything, the production design should be absolutely perfect.

Look for more news on Portman's status on the project in the coming months.