WILL FERRELL - WILL FERRELL'S PRODUCTION COMPANY TO TACKLE HANSEL AND GRETEL FILM

WILL FERRELL'S PRODUCTION COMPANY TO TACKLE HANSEL AND GRETEL FILM

Hollywood funny man WILL FERRELL is to work on a horror-comedy remake of a classic children's tale for his next project - HANSEL AND GRETEL: WITCH HUNTERS.

Along with SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE writer ADAM MCKAY, who he worked with on hits such as ANCHORMAN, STEP BROTHERS and TALLADEGA NIGHTS, Ferrell will produce the project, which is to be written and directed by Tommy Wirkola.

Together, Ferrell and McKay own Gary Sanchez Productions.

The film will reportedly act as a sequel to the Grimm Brothers' original story and see Hansel and Gretel 15 years older and roaming the countryside hunting for witches like the one that imprisoned them in their youth.

Speaking to Hollywood Reporter about the project, McKay said: "It's a hybrid sort of old-timey feeling, yet there's pump-action shotguns.

"Modern technology but in an old style. We heard it and we were just like, 'That's a freakin' franchise! You could make three of those!'"

Ferrell can be seen in several films this year, including THE GOODS: LIVE HARD, SELL HARD in which he stars alongside JEREMY PIVEN, and LAND OF THE LOST, which also features DANNY MCBRIDE and ANNA FRIEL.

The actor first rose to fame as a cast member on SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE and has made a successful transition to the big screen, with hits such as BLADES OF GLORY and OLD SCHOOL.