Ian McShane has signed up to play a dwarf in Snow White and the Huntsman. The Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides actor - who is 5'9'' in height - will portray Caesar, the leader of the group of dwarves who assist Snow White, to be played by Twilight star Kristen Stewart, as her evil stepmother (Charlize Theron) attempts to have her killed.

In addition to Ian, Kristen and Charlize, Thor actor Chris Hemsworth has signed up to play the Huntsman in the upcoming movie - which is to be directed by Rupert Sanders - who will be tasked with slaying Snow White, but eventually trains her to survive the ordeal and fight back.

With filming due to begin in August, Snow White and the Huntsman will hit cinemas just a few months after Tarsem Singh's interpretation of the same tale, Untitled Snow White. Starring Lily Collins - the daughter of British musician Phil - as the exiled princess and Julia Roberts as the evil Queen, filming for Untitled Snow White was scheduled to begin yesterday.