Natalie Portman as Snow White?

Disney is set to make a new version of the classic 1936 cartoon- only this one will be live action, take place in China, and feature seven international warriors. Like the recently released ‘Tangled’, which was loosely based on the Brothers Grimm fairy tale ‘Rapunzel’, the new Snow White entitled ‘Snow and the Seven” will be a radical reworking of the original.

‘Snow and the Seven” takes place in 19^th century China. The story centres on an Englishwoman who travels to Hong Kong for her father’s funeral, only to find that she has become the target of her evil stepmother’s scheming. She flees to China, taking refuge with a band of warriors.

Natalie Portman has reportedly been offered the lead role as Snow. Although the casting details haven’t been confirmed yet, her pregnancy could force her to drop the role. The film requires the lead actress to train for several fighting scenes, which may not be possible in the latter months of pregnancy.

Oscar-nominated Michael Arndt, screenwriter of Toy Story 3, has been hired to write the script. I Am Legend director, Francis Lawrence, will direct.

It is rumoured that Disney chose to create a unique interpretation of their classic tale after discovering that two competing production companies- Universal and Relativity- are in the midst of developing Snow White-inspired stories of their own. Universal is currently working on ‘Snow White and the Huntsman’, which stars Kristen Stewart, Charlize Theron, and Viggo Mortenson. Relativity is putting together ‘The Brother’s Grimm: Snow White’ directed by Tarsem Singh of ‘The Cell’ fame. Disney’s choice to release ‘Snow and the Seven’ at the same time as these other two pictures seems to be intentional- almost like a message saying “Get off of my land!”