Hansel & Gretel to get a sequel?

Fairytale actioner 'Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters' is lining up for a sequel, according to reports.

Despite a slow start – it made $17 million (£11 million) in its opening weekend in the US, much less than the $30 million (£20 million) that was expected – it's picked up pace in the worldwide market.

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The critical response was also less positive than expected, the film garnering a 15% approval rating on reviews aggregator Rotten Tomatoes.

But despite these issues, it's now moved past $205 million (£135 million) in ticket sales worldwide, on a budget of $50 million (£33 million).

This means that Paramount is now ploughing ahead with plans to make a sequel, with partners MGM, MTV Films and Will Ferrell's Gary Sanchez Productions.

It's not yet known whether stars Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton will be reprise their roles as the witch-slaying siblings, nor whether director Tommy Wirkola will be back on board.

But it does point towards an appetite among the cinema-going public for the latest rash of fairytale-based fair from Hollywood, despite the recent failure of Bryan Singer's 'Jack The Giant Slayer'.

So far it's struggling to claw back its collossal $195 million (£129 million) budget, having made just $90 million (£59 million) since its release at the end of February.