'Snow White and the Huntsman' sequel in the works

Universal is looking to build on  the solid opening weekend for its "Snow White and the Huntsman," laying the groundwork for a sequel.

The film has earned $129 million to date.

According to Deadline, screenwriter David Koepp ("Jurassic Park," "Spider-Man") has been tapped to pen a script for the sequel.

While Koepp was not involved in the original, Universal is reportedly not looking far for its director, talking to Rupert Sanders, who made his directorial debut with "Snow White," to secure his return.

The film, which starred Kristen Stewart ("Twilight") and Chris Hemsworth ("Thor") in the title roles along with Charlize Theron as the evil queen, grossed $56 million in its opening weekend and $82.9 million to date. It's worldwide gross tops $129 million, but it has a ways to go to reach its reported budget of $170 million.

Deadline is reporting that Sanders is not under contract for any sequels, while the actors have options for two.

Koepp has written a number of blockbusters in his career, including "Mission: Impossible," "The Lost World: Jurassic Park," "War of the Worlds" and "Angels & Demons."

Warner Bro. shuts down 'Akira' production

"Akira" is running into trouble...again.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Warner Bros. has shut down production on the live action adaptation of the popular anime film over "casting, script and budget issues."

The remake has run around again.

Deadline is reporting that the budget, which is currently estimated to be around $90 million under director Jaume Collet-Serra ("Unknown"), is not the major stumbling block at the moment. The film was sporting a $150 million budget under former director Albert Hughes, who left the project in May.

Instead, the script seems to be the big issue now and a new writer is expected to be brought in for another take. The most recent draft was from David James Kelly, and before him "Harry Potter" scribe Steve Kloves took a stab at the remake.

The original anime film, like the manga series it was based on, follows story follows Kaneda, the leader of a motorcycle gang in Neo-Tokyo, who tries to save his friend Tetsuo from a military experiment gone awry. Kloves' version of the script reportedly moved the action from Neo-Tokyo to New Manhattan.

"Akira," if it escapes this latest setback, is expected to star Garrett Hedlund ("TRON: Legacy") as Kaneda, with Kristen Stewart ("Twilight"), possibly Ken Watanabe ("Inception") and Helena Bonham Carter ("Alice in Wonderland") all rumored to be in talks as well.

According to Deadline, the production was targeting an early March start. That is most likely no longer in the cards.