Why the world is ready for 2 'Snow Whites'

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Moviegoers may want to take two bites of the same apple next year: A pair of live-action adventure flicks based on Snow White will come out in theaters just months apart.

As it stands, the first, still-unnamed Snow White movie is scheduled for release March 16. That gives moviegoers two and a half months before "Snow White and the Huntsman" on June 1.

Executives are confident that both projects can succeed, given their differences in stars, tone and plot.

However bizarre the coincidence is, history shows that two similar projects like these can both attract large audiences.

In May 1998, viewers turned out for "Deep Impact," a movie about a comet threatening Earth. They showed up again that July when an asteroid did the same in "Armageddon." ''Deep Impact" sold $349 million in tickets worldwide, and "Armageddon" followed with $555 million.

Audiences didn't duck for cover either when "Dante's Peak" blew in February 1997 only to have "Volcano" erupt that April. The first made $169 million and the other $120 million at the box office.

...Executives argue that the two Snow White movies are spaced far enough apart so that advertising one won't inadvertently drive people to the other.Most movies make 95 percent of their sales in the first four weeks. On average, people in North America see four movies a year. There's plenty of time to get refreshed and go out again.

..."Ten weeks in the movie business is a lifetime," said "Huntsman" producer Joe Roth.  He should know. Roth was head of Disney's studios when its "Armageddon" opened second but still sold $200 million more in tickets worldwide than "Deep Impact."

The casts of both Snow Whites are also distinct enough to merit a return trip to the theater.

In Relativity's version, billed as a family comedy, Julia Roberts is in for an intriguing role reversal as the former "Pretty Woman" plays the Evil Queen.

In Universal's epic action adventure, Kristen Stewart of "Twilight" fame gets "Karate Kid"-like fight training from buff Chris Hemsworth of "Thor." Hemsworth plays the mercenary Huntsman, who disobeys orders to kill her. The action-packed movie also involves a love triangle with Prince Charmant, played by Sam Claflin.

..."At its heart, it becomes a girl's empowerment movie," Roth said.

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Via Twilightish