Although Tarsem Singh’s take on Snow White–the sillier Mirror, Mirror–releases next weekend, it’s this darker more fantastical version that looks like it was directed by him. Instead, this one, Snow White and the Huntsman, is helmed by newcomer Rupert Sanders.

I’ve always enjoyed the more fearsome versions of fairy tales and this one looks like a nice blend of swashbuckling fantasy, monster movie and gothic thriller. There’s a whole shedload of beasties on display, although most of them look like they crawled right out of Guillermo Del Toro’s soul. Of particular note is that Miyazaki-esque stag and the wood troll that looks like Pan’s Labyrinth’s Faun on steroid.

As for the actors, Im game to see what Stewart brings to the table because I think she can a be a fine and exciting actress when she’s away from Twilight. Im certainly not sold on her being fairer than Charlize Theron here, who looks like she’s going to steal the whole show as the evil queen. In fact, Im betting that even if this White is a flop, she’ll turn in a performance that lives on beyond the film in the same way Rickman’s Sherrif of Nottingham did in Prince of Thieves. Hemsworth looks worthy as the hero–although he’s just a shabbier Thor–and the dwarves look more compelling here than their Mirror, Mirror counterparts.

Consider me interested in this one. Although, Im still getting flashbacks to the underrated 90′s film with Sigourney Weaver, Snow White: A Tale of Terror.