The Brothers Grimm 1812 tale Hansel and Gretel will be adapted for film by Orion Pictures, according to an exclusive report by The Hollywood Reporter. The title, however, will be Gretel and Hansel. This leads audiences to think about the development of gender dynamics in the plot.

The film will involve a mix of a thriller and fairy tale tone. A sister takes her brother to look for a job and food. During their search in the woods, they encounter dark elements and obstacles. The cast is set to include Sophia Lillis (It), Sammy Leakey (Star Trek: First Contact’s Alice Krige), Jessica De Gouw, and Charles Babalola. The project will be directed by Osgood Perkins. Perkins has past experience with the horror genre through films such as The Blackcoat’s Daughter and the thriller Cold Comes The Night. Both Perkins and Rob Hayes wrote the story for the film.

Past films based on the classic have ranged from a focus on horror to comedy, such as in Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters. A shorter version of the tale was made by Tim Burton in his TV Special Hansel and Gretel, which featured an all-Asian cast.

The film will be released January 31, 2020.