Less than a month after actor Nick Frost signed on to reprise his Snow White and the Huntsman dwarf role Nion in Universal Pictures' sequel The Huntsman, Rob Brydon, Alexandra Roach and Sheridan Smith have signed on to play three new dwarfs. We reported in January that the sequel will only feature two dwarfs, but it seems Universal has reconsidered that stance. No details were given regarding these new characters, but this is the first time female dwarfs are being introduced into the fairy tale storyline.

In Snow White and the Huntsman, Nick Frost, Toby Jones, Eddie Marsan, Ian McShane, Johnny Harris, Ray Winstone and Brian Gleeson played the seven dwarfs. Our report from January revealed that Toby Jones could not come to terms with the studio to reprise his role, while Eddie Marsan had scheduling complications with the Showtime series Ray Donovan. It isn't known why the others from Snow White and the Huntsman aren't returning.

Chris Hemsworth and Charlize Theron will reprise their roles as The Huntsman and Ravenna, with the sequel telling a new chapter of the story, set before they both met Snow White. Kristen Stewart will not reprise her Snow White role from Snow White and the Huntsman in this new adventure. Jessica Chastain and Emily Blunt have also signed on for unspecified roles.

Cedric Nicolas-Troyan is directing from a script by Frank Darabont, which was previoiusly worked on by Craig Mazin and Evan Spiliotopoulos. Joe Roth is producing with Palak Patel set to executive produce, but it isn't known when production may get under way. Rob Brydon recently starred in Cinderella, and he is best known for the comedies The Trip and The Trip to Italy alongside Steve Coogan. Alexandra Roach recently starred alongside Nick Frost in Cuban Fury, and Sheridan Smith is coming off roles in Quartet and Cilla.