Because of who is directing it (Catherine Hardwicke) and the love-triangle twist it puts on the tale of a young girl and a wolf, this new take on Red Riding Hood is already being heavily compared and contrasted with Twilight. Now we all have a chance to get in on the action with the first trailer’s arrival.
Red Riding Hood finds Amanda Seyfried as Valerie, a beautiful, strong-hearted young woman whose heart and loyalties are caught between two men. She’s in love – and lust – with the smouldery, romantic rebel Peter (Shiloh Fernandez), but her parents would much rather she marry the wealthy, privileged Henry (Max Irons).
And there are even bigger problems for her and the gothic village she calls home: a werewolf prowls the forest surrounding it, and the locals have maintained a truce with the beast for years by offering a monthly animal sacrifice. Yet with the arrival of a blood red moon, the creature has begun to prey on humans, killing Valerie’s older sister. Soon the villagers turn to legendary werewolf hunter Father Solomon (Gary Oldman), who warns that the enemy could be within…
From the evidence of this first footage, it really does play up the Twilight feel of brooding hunks, supernatural threat and a headstrong heroine. But let’s face it – Stephenie Meyer herself was simply feeding off of basic fairytale and genre tropes, so comparisons are inevitable. And Hardwicke certainly seems to have brought real moody style to the updated tale, visible also in the poster.
Check out the trailer over at Apple and let us know what you think. Red Riding Hood is released on April 15 next year.