Hugh Jackman for Snow White and the Huntsman?

Universal has slickly decided to reach out to Hugh Jackman to star in Rupert Sanders' action-geared fairy tale adaptation, Snow White and the Huntsman. The film was left some what in the lurch when talks broke down with Viggo Mortensen, who had been in talks for weeks to play the titular Huntsman who is sent to kill Snow White but winds up protecting her. No stated reason was ever really given for Mortensen's sudden departure, but Deadline reports that it may have had to do with a script rewrite that changed things a bit too much for him.

Incidentally, they also note that the script may be spruced up again, with Universal in talks to bring in Hossein Amini(The Four Feathers) to do it. If Jackman does sign on, he'll be joining Kristen Stewart as Snow White and Charlize Theron as the Evil Queen.

So what makes this such a shrewd move by Universal? Jackman's schedule has just opened up big time by the delays on The Wolverine. There are a number of reasons why, but the primary one was the sudden departure of hand picked director Darren Aronofsky. With a start date uncertain, Jackman might be keen on jumping into another high profile gig.  And after Mortensen was so closely attached to the film for so long, Universal is going to want somebody of equal or greater stature to fill his void. Jackman fits that role to a tee. Plus one also has to consider that Huntsman will be coming out after Tarsem Singh's Snow White film, which has Julia Roberts, Lily Collins, and Armie Hammer leading. The more star power the better.

In a somewhat related note, Deadline also notes that David Slade and Duncan Jones are possibilities to direct The Wolverine. If there's more on that obviously we'll have it here.