Narnia Fans » 2008 » February

HarperCollins will launch a global marketing and PR campaign to to promote its tie-in publishing programme to the forthcoming second Narnia film.

The publisher is launching a “read it before you see it” campaign, before “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian” is released in the UK on 27th June, to promote is various tie-ins, which include activity, puzzle and colouring books, young reader editions and new titles including The Chronology of Narnia, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian Official Illustrated Movie Companion and The Crafting of Narnia, among others.

HC will concentrate on digital marketing and social networking, with the creation of a dedicated microsite (www.discovernarnia.co.uk) to go live on 21st February, the launch of a flash game, and Prince Caspian Facebook and Bebo profile pages.

Alison Ruane, HC children’s marketing director, said: “Building on the success of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, we are focusing our communications firmly on digital channels in the lead up to the Prince Caspian film release. By tapping into social networks, on-line communities and existing fan forums we intend to convert Narnia film-goers into fan of the books on a global scale.”

Action-Figure.com has posted a ton of pictures of the Prince Caspian toy line that was created by Play Along Toys. They took the pictures at the 2008 New York Toy Fair. Check it out to see huge castle play-sets and action figures of many of the characters from the upcoming film: The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.

Prince Caspian Toy Gallery (146 Pictures)

Elbakin.net has interviewed Ben Barnes. They interviewed him in French, and they’ve posted an english translation to their website.

Here’s a sample from the interview:

A journalist: Is your life changing with this experience?

I don’t know honestly. I’m not sure I’m very well preparing for that aspect. I’m very exciting about the fact the people can see the work and I can see the opportunities that give me to do more works in different kinds of parts and very trough myself into. I’m just so I’m just so exciting about the different stories I’m reading. From that point of view, it’s fantastic! I’m starting to be invited to lots of cool parties. (laughter) But I’m working yet!

I’m very exciting the people can be seen the work that we have doing in the past, during a couple of years.

A journalist: Do you feel pressure or intimidate to taking

Yes.

The same journalist : Er…

I’m kidding! (laughter) The Narnias books are like an institution in England particularly obviously. I read the books when I was eight and I watched the TV serie on the BBC at the same time. I had fun, that was completely magical with Samuel West who plaid Caspian. It will always stick on my memory. And then when I went to the university I studied literature, my special topics. So I went trough all the J. R. R. Tolkien, C. S. Lewis,… So I was very familiars with this. The opportunity was very exciting!

[Read the rest of the interview at Elbakin.net]

Thanks to Ciboule for the update!

Walt Disney Pictures’ epic film, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, based on C.S. Lewis’ timeless tale, comes to life through Robert Tonner’s collection of TONNER CHARACTER FIGURES™ (TCF).

The life-like figures are authorized portraits of William Moseley in the role of Peter Pevensie; Anna Popplewell in the role of Susan Pevensie; Skandar Keynes in the role of Edmund Pevensie; and Georgie Henley in the role of Lucy Pevensie.

Robert Tonner, CEO and head designer of the award-winning Tonner Company, is thrilled to re-create the magic and mystery of Narnia through his figures. “I was intrigued when I heard about the movie. When I saw it, I was convinced that I had to do it.”

This project has been one of the most painstaking endeavors for Tonner. “So much of each character is in the presentation that we didn’t want to overlook a single detail,” Tonner admits. “We drew on our strengths to accurately depict those critical elements.”

Ranging from 13″-19″ tall, each perfectly replicated Pevensie sibling comes authentically dressed. The intricate costume details range from to real buttons and lace-up shoes to custom knit sweaters. The kings and queens of Narnia also have separate coronation costumes available which include fine details such as intricately molded crowns, hand-embroidery details and luxurious fabrics.

These wardrobe adventurers are perfectly scaled and composed of fine quality hard-plastic and vinyl. Each TONNER CHARACTER FIGURE™ features hand-painted face details and 14-points of articulation for the most realistic poses.

About Tonner: Headquartered in Hurley, New York, the Tonner Doll Company, Inc. develops and markets high quality collectible dolls like Betsy McCall®, Effanbee® Dolls, and the popular Tyler Wentworth® line of dolls and fashions, as well as other licensed characters, including THE WIZARD OF OZ dolls and HARRY POTTER™ TCFs.

NarnianPrincess got the chance to have an exclusive interview with Douglas Gresham. This is a great one that addresses many of the things in Prince Caspian that you may have been wondering about, based on the trailer. There’s also a bit about Voyage of the Dawn Treader! So she’s taking the floor from here on out.

Hi NarniaFans! This is Alaina/NarnianPrincess here asking Douglas Gresham a few questions about Prince Caspian! I hope that you enjoy it, and that these are answers to things that you’ve been wondering about!

NF: Okay then, with only 90 days (huzzah!) until Caspian is released, how are things shaping up?

Douglas Gresham: There is still quite a bit of work to do but the film is looking absolutely fantastic. I am so proud of Andrew and Walter and all our team for the great job they have done on this movie.

NF: When you went to the screening last week, what was your first impression of the movie? Are you please with the overall outcome?

Douglas Gresham: I am very pleased indeed. My first impression was “Wow!”, and remember I had already seen all the “dailies” so I knew what the footage looked like. The movie has come together amazingly and beautifully well. When it ended I thought to myself “What over already?” And then checked my watch to find that it is actually still about 5 minutes longer than we need it to be. It was astonishing how fast it all went by. I can’t wait to see it again.

NF: Can you tell us who/what your cameo is in PC?

Douglas Gresham: Oh that’s easy to find out, just go and see the movie.

NF: How do you think Prince Caspian will compare to The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe?

Douglas Gresham: With the Narnian movies its going to be very hard to make that kind of comparison because the stories are all so very different. It’s not like we are making sequels, each movie will be a completely unique stand-alone work. But to try, I would say that starting with a story that is not as good or as powerful as that of “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” I think that our team have actually made a better movie out of it than LWW turned out to be.

NF: What is the main message that you think Jack, and you, would like us all to take away from this film?

Douglas Gresham: Prince Caspian is a story about people and indeed the entire world of Narnia, returning to truth and true faith after a millennium of corruption and a long slide away from what is real and important. It is a story about hope, courage and honesty, and it tells us that no matter how far away we drift, there is always a way back. What that way back is, you’ll have to watch the movie to find out.

NF: How’s the soundtrack? Do a lot of the same theme’s come back from LWW, or is it all new music. Do you know when the soundtrack will be released on CD?

Douglas Gresham: I am not sure when it will be released, and I’m not going to tell you anything about it except that Harry (Gregson-Williams) has done a great job with it and it will keep on getting better till the day we release the film.

NF: ~Now for some things that certain people have some reservations about. We understand if you can’t comment.

NF: There are a lot of people that have a problem with Ben being as old as he is. How do you think he has done as the uncertain boy-prince?

Douglas Gresham: Go see the movie and find out. But Ben is a superb actor (and a very nice guy) and I am very pleased with his portrayal of Caspian. I am also really looking forward to working with him again on “The Voyage of The Dawn Treader.” I don’t think anybody will be disappointed by his performance at all.

NF: Do Peter and Caspian really have a sword fight?

Douglas Gresham: Heh heh, once again you’ll have to see the movie to find out.

NF: Why add a night raid scene to the film?

Douglas Gresham: Well we did have a bit of a problem with making Prince Caspian the book into Prince Caspian the movie. You see, its largely a book of walking and talking. The kids arrive in Narnia and then Trumpkin arrives and they all sit down and he tells them the story of Prince Caspian. So if we had stuck to the book half the movie would be four kids and a dwarf sitting round a camp fire talking. And then they all get up and go for a nice long walk in the woods, arrive at the other end and there’s a battle. Now this all works very well in the book, but it would make a very poor movie. What we needed to do was to find a way of making the story of Prince Caspian integral to that of the four Pevensies and carry both through the whole movie. The raid is a part of that process. Its never as easy as you think.

NF: Some were upset over the fact that Susan carries a sword and appears to fight. Any comments on why they had her do that?

Douglas Gresham: Well, knowing our Susan (and indeed our Anna too), I somehow just can’t imagine her sitting down in the grass and watching the boys have a battle against the bad guys. I don’t remember the sword though.

NF: Do you tell/show us what happens to Miraz’s son? Does he really get kidnapped by the Old Narnians?

Douglas Gresham: I don’t think this is something that you should worry about too much, there’s Global Warming remember, world-wide Recession, dental cavities and facial blemishes and all sorts of things more meritorious of anxiety than the fate of Miraz’s son. He’s a cute little fellow anyway.

NF: In the trailer Jadis appears to be reaching out to Caspian, whereas in the book they never get to the point of calling her up. Why was this changed?

Douglas Gresham: Why not? Actually, it turns out to be a very powerful scene but you’ll have to wait a see the movie to find out how and why.

NF:~Now just a tad bit about Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

NF: I was overjoyed to hear of the writers strike ending! How close are you now in the script being finished?

Douglas Gresham:Hey, the strike has only just ended, give us a chance!

NF: Have they found a Eustace yet?

Douglas Gresham: We have a number of good prospects, but we haven’t yet made a decision.

NF: Will most of the same people (except Andrew Adamson, of course) be putting this movie together?

Douglas Gresham: Obviously we will try to keep as many of our team together as we can, but there will of course be some great new faces as well.

NF: ~Thank you so much for taking the time to answer these questions. I know I speak for all the NarniaFans when I say that we really appreciate it!!

Douglas Gresham: You’re very welcome.

NF: Well folks! There you have it! I hope that you’re more excited than ever to see this wonderful book be made into an awesome movie!

Please note the following in this issue of the C.S. Lewis Society Update (2/15/08):
http://www.lewissociety.org

1. C.S. Lewis in TV’s “Lost”
2. Recent Articles
3. New Books
4. Next meetings of the C.S. Lewis Society Bay Area Book Club
5. Other Events

1. C.S. Lewis in TV’s “Lost”:

The extremely popular ABC-TV series of mystery, spirituality and intrigue with a group of people marooned on a desert island, “Lost,” is now in its fourth season. And in episode two, the program is revealing remarkable clues that point to C.S. Lewis’s influence. For example, when Ben noted that Charlotte’s complete name is “Charlotte Staples Lewis,” the blogosphere utterly lit up about Lewis, with people pointing out the connections to Lewis’s books, PRINCE CASPIAN and PERELANDRA. Such suggestions have arisen before, especially in the first season, when the original program was produced by Christian film producer Ralph Winter, who is also currently producing the film version of THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS. Here are example articles:

“Tiddlywinkydinks: Perelandra Lost” (Inner Toob)

“Lost’s Second Episode Reveals More Clues,” by Sonja Zjawinski (Wired News)

“‘Lost’: Chute First, Ask Questions Later,” by Jeff Jensen (Entertainment Weekly)

2. Recent Articles:

A. Here is another article from the author of the important, new book, PLANET NARNIA (Oxford University Press):

“C. S. Lewis and the Star of Bethlehem: Recovering the Medieval Imagination,” by Michael Ward (Christianity Today)

http://www.christianitytoday.com/bc/2008/001/15.30.html

B. Is the warning in C.S. Lewis’s dystopian science fiction book THAT HIDEOUS STRENGTH coming true in Britain? In the book, Lewis conceived of a government-funded scientistic think tank, the National Institute for Coordinated Experiments (N.I.C.E.), which would rule society absolutely according to eugenic, utilitarian principles. Incredibly enough, in 1999, the Labor government established the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (N.I.C.E.) with special powers to determine the treatments in Britain’s government-funded health system. As Elizabeth Woodeson, head of scientific development and bioethics at the Department of Health has stated, “The Secretary of State believes that…clinicians should be able to follow the N.I.C.E. [quality of life] guidelines without being obliged to accede to patient demands.” The result for example was the decision to withhold food and water from Leslie Burke, who was suffering from a degenerative motor neurone disease, with Burke filing a lawsuit in response in order to save his life:

“Commentary: Britain’s N.I.C.E. Think Tank Not So Nice – C.S. Lewis’ Prophesy Comes Eerily True,” by Hilary White (LifeSite)

C. Review of Dinesh D’Souza’s bestselling book, WHAT’S SO GREAT ABOUT CHRISTIANITY:

“God’s Advocate: Dinesh D’Souza goes the distance with the atheists,” by Peter Wehner (Weekly Standard)

D. For decades, the world’s leading atheist (and David Hume) scholar Antony Flew attacked theism as irrational. In his new book, THERE IS A GOD, he reveals why he has changed his mind and has abandoned atheism. Here is an interview with him:

“My Pilgrimage from Atheism to Theism: A Discussion between Antony Flew and Gary Habermas”

3. New Books:

SURPRISED BY HOPE: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church, by N.T. Wright

GOD’S UNDERTAKER: Has Science Buried God?, by John Lennox

CONSCIOUSNESS AND THE EXISTENCE OF GOD: A Theistic Argument, by J. P. Moreland

CHRISTIANS AT THE CROSS: Finding Hope in the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus, by N.T. Wright

IS YOUR LORD LARGE ENOUGH: How C.S. Lewis Expands Our View of God, by Peter J. Schakel

THE REASON FOR GOD: Belief in an Age of Skepticism, by Timothy Keller

THE HEART OF NARNIA; Wisdom, Virtue, and Life Lessons from the Classic Chronicles, by Robert Velarde

INSIDE PRINCE CASPIAN: A Guide to Exploring the Return to Narnia, by Devin Brown

THE CASE FOR THE REAL JESUS: A Journalist Investigates Current Attacks on the Identity of Christ, by Lee Strobel

4. The next meetings of the C.S. Lewis Society Bay Area Book Club will be as follows:

Book for Discussion:

TILL WE HAVE FACES: A Myth Retold, by C.S. Lewis:

Wednesday, February 20, 7:30 p.m.; Meeting moderator/leader: Roy Carlisle

Wednesday, March 5, 7:30 p.m.; Meeting moderator/leader: Roy Carlisle

TILL WE HAVE FACES was considered by Lewis to be his greatest novel, and critics agree. Based on the classic Roman myth, this tale of two princesses — one beautiful and one unattractive — and of the struggle between sacred and profane love is Lewis’s reworking of the myth of Cupid and Psyche and one of his most enduring works. The book is brilliant and intriguing study of love, pride, power and God.

“The most significant and triumphant work that Lewis has yet produced”.”
–New York Herald Tribune

“In Mr. Lewis’s sensitive hands the ancient myth retains its fascination while being endowed with new meanings, new depths, new terrors.”
–Saturday Review

The meetings will be held at:

11990 Skyline Boulevard, Oakland, CA 94619 (atop the Oakland hills)
510-482-2906 phone
wine, soft drinks and other refreshments served

Here also are numerous articles re TILL WE HAVE FACES:

“TILL WE HAVE FACES” by Henry Karlson:

“TILL WE HAVE FACES” by Wikipedia:

“A Great Gulf Fixed: The Problem of Obsessive Love in C.S. Lewis’ TILL WE HAVE FACES,” by Amelia F. Franz

“TILL WE HAVE FACES, by C.S. Lewis,” reviewed by Peter Schakel; Literary Encyclopedia

“TILL WE HAVE FACES, by C.S. Lewis”, by Kevin Stilley

“A review of TILL WE HAVE FACES by C.S. Lewis”

“Notes on TILL WE HAVE FACES”

TILL WE HAVE FACES is available in paperback

TILL WE HAVE FACES on CD

Here also is the schedule of future Lewis Society book club meetings

Here also is information on C.S. Lewis

We hope that you and/or others you know will be joining with us! (Please feel free to forward this update to others.)

5. Other Events:

http://www.lewissociety.org/events.php

“Sixth Frances Ewbank Colloquium on C.S. Lewis & Friends”
Sponsored by Taylor University, Upland, IN
May 29-June 1, 2008

“LionCon: A Narnian Convention”
Sponsored by LionCon.org
June 20-22, 2008
http://www.lioncon.org/

“Charles Williams and His Contemporaries”
Sponsored by The Charles Williams Society
Sr. Hilda’s College, Oxford, England
July 4-6, 2008

“Oxbridge 2008: The Self and the Search for Meaning”
Sponsored by the C.S. Lewis Foundation
Oxford University, July 28 – August 2, 2008
Cambridge University, August 3-8, 2008

Please contact me with any questions.

Best regards,

David

David J. Theroux
Founder and President
C. S. Lewis Society of California
100 Swan Way, Suite 200
Oakland, CA 94621-1428
(510) 635-6892 Phone
(510) 568-6040 Fax
dtheroux@lewissociety.org
http://www.lewissociety.org

Founder and President
The Independent Institute
(510) 632-1366 Phone
DTheroux@independent.org
http://www.independent.org

Those who long to spend their days in Narnia will be able to revisit as old heroes return 1,300 years later and a new hero must rise. Disney/Walden Media’s The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian video game will be released at retail stores throughout the United States in time for the film’s May 16, 2008, opening, Disney Interactive Studios announced today.

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian video game will be available for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, the Wii system, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Nintendo DS™ and Windows-based PC.

Developed by Traveller’s Tales, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian for home consoles and Windows-based PC takes players throughout Narnia and includes a level, which is unique from both the novel and the film. The level, which is set between the events of “The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe” and “Prince Caspian,” takes place at the castle of Cair Paravel and tells the story of how Narnia fell to the Telmarine hordes. In “Prince Caspian,” Cair Paravel is seen only as abandoned ruins the Pevensies discover hundreds of years later.

The action/adventure game offers gameplay for one or two players on the same system and drop-in/drop-out features, allowing either player to join the game and leave. With combat, exploration and puzzle solving that extends beyond the film, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian is the ideal complement to the movie-going experience. The game features more than 20 playable characters including the ability to play as Prince Caspian. The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian game is the sequel to The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe for consoles, which received the prestigious IGN.com Editor’s Choice Award.

“The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian game is an epic adventure that provides memorable experiences as it takes players throughout the familiar areas of Narnia from the second film,” said Craig Relyea, senior vice president of global marketing, Disney Interactive Studios. “Fans of the films and books will re-live the excitement, the battles and the memorable characters while going beyond the events of the film.”

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian for Nintendo DS, which is an action/role playing game, will debut DGamer, Disney Interactive Studios’ innovative new technology that provides a fun, connected game community for Disney video game fans. With DGamer, players earn content, interact and chat with others on Nintendo DS through the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection or on a computer through the Disney.com website. DGamer will be offered in North America in future Nintendo DS games from Disney Interactive Studios with a future launch scheduled in other global regions. Prince Caspian for Nintendo DS is being developed by Fall Line Studio, the Nintendo platform-dedicated development studio of Disney Interactive Studios.

Brian Jacks wrote us to let us know that they’ve been given an exclusive look at a new Prince Caspian action figure. It is the figure of the Wer-wolf, which is an odd spelling of the word. They report:

As an upcoming blockbuster, it’s only natural that the latest entry to Disney’s “Chronicles of Narnia” franchise would have its own toy line. With that in mind, dig this exclusive look at one of the coolest (and secret, until now) characters from “Prince Caspian” …the Wer-wolf, a half-human/half-wolf hybrid that operates 24/7, regardless of full moon.

The figure, made by JAKKS Pacific, will retail for 10 bucks when it hits stores April 1. For much, much more from the world of movie toys, check out our coverage of Toy Fair 2008 appearing on the MTV Movies Blog starting this weekend.

See the Wer-wolf figure at the MTV Movies Blog

Imogen Heap has revealed on her YouTube Video Blog that she is in talks with the producers of Prince Caspian to appear on the soundtrack. She was heard on the soundtrack for “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” during the credits, with the song “I Can’t Take It In.” This is the first news we’ve heard of any soundtrack information for Prince Caspian.

Hopefully this is just the start and there will be a flood of news on the Soundtrack front. No word yet on if there will be another Inspired By soundtrack as well.

Imogen mentions Prince Caspian around the 6:20 mark.

Douglas Gresham, C.S. Lewis’ step-son and one of the producers on Prince Caspian, has seen the film, and greatly enjoyed it. Here’s what he had to say about the film:

“Taking a break from working on Dawn Treader and other projects, I attended the test screening and I think that the team has done a fabulous job on Prince Caspian, starting with a less good story, our team has produced an even better movie than The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. I must be perhaps the severest critic of all, and I like this movie very much!”