You’re filming The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of The Dawn Treader in Australia at the moment, how’s that going?
Will Poulter: Its really good fun thank you, I’m really enjoying myself but I am missing home quite a bit, especially my family and friends. Although I will be sad to leave I will be really pleased to be home for Christmas.
With the reports coming from the set, we’re starting to piece together just how The Voyage of the Dawn Treader will begin, when it finally reaches the cinema on December 10, 2010. If you’re trying to avoid film spoilers, you won’t want to read this, as I’m going to make some speculations based on an article from Goldcoast.com.au today.
With filming happening on location at The Spit, we are able to bring you more pictures from the set of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. These feature Will Poulter as Eustace Clarence Scrubb, David Vallon as Gumpas and there’s even a glimpse of Ben Barnes in the role of Caspian. We haven’t yet gotten a clear picture of him in costume, but it appears his hair is much much longer than in the first film, and he may have retained the facial hair that he was growing out during the the early months of the year. I can’t wait to see more for myself! This is getting very exciting. It does look, however, like they’ve ramped up some of the Narrowhaven portion to make it into more of a struggle. However, it may only be Eustace that acts up, with really fits into his character pretty well. Especially if he is the only one that reacts with a struggle and the rest don’t. Only time, and the motion picture, will tell! (more…)
Grown ups love teens’ adult show
According to Will Poulter, his chances on having a career as an actor are, at the very most, slim.
Looking at the 15-year-old’s already sterling resume – which includes a lead role in the movie Son of Rambow, and a part in the forthcoming Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader film alongside Liam Neeson – that comes as a real surprise.
“It would be great if I could continue acting, but I think that it’s very unlikely I’ll be able to make a proper career of it,” says the affable youngster, who played bad boy Lee Carter in Son of Rambow, and is currently appearing on the Fringe in School of Comedy – a sketch show for adults, performed by teenagers and devised by his drama teacher, Laura Black.
“It’s all so competitive, and the chances of making it in this profession are slim,” he continues. “It’s a dream, of course, but I’m under no illusions.
“Put it this way,” he adds, “I’ve got my back-up plan should things not work out.”
A wise head on young shoulders, the young Londoner made his Fringe debut last summer in an earlier incarnation of School of Comedy.
“It’s a lot of fun being back in Edinburgh,” he says. “We had such a great time last year, and though I was a lot more nervous doing it the first time around, I still have great memories of it.
“The show was an enormous success. People seemed to love how original it was.
“I can remember there were a few gaping mouths, but they generally belonged to adults who didn’t have children and had forgotten what it was like to be 15 years old.
“The reaction this year has been just the same,” he adds. “We were just getting so many people in, so we’re all very pleased about that. It’s a real dream come true.”
For making his dreams come true, Poulter credits his drama teacher Black. “I was very lucky to get involved in acting really,” he says. “Ms Lawson was running an after school club, where people could get together and just try improvisational routines. She’d worked as a comedian before and just gave us scripts to read and try out ideas with. We got the chance to perform the act at school, and it’s just all developed from there.”
That development has seen the kids put in just as much work to the show as the crack team of comedy writers Lawson enlisted to help write the show for an adult audience.
“All the material starts really with the improv games we played with Ms Lawson,” explains Poulter. “We got to explore each character we created and try out different settings and situations to build workable scenes. It’s a real group collaboration.”
And it seems the kids have built a real team spirit between themselves. “We spend every day with each other really, and it’s still always a lot of fun,” he says. “It’s good to share this weird experience, because we’re still only really children at this adult festival.”
This image of an ‘adult’ festival did initially concern Poulter. “There was a worry we might have just been seen as a novelty,” he explains. “We definitely didn’t want to be just some kids doing adult comedy. But we’re all really proud of what we’ve created, people have been coming along to the show with an open mind.”
The show – which also stars Ella Ainsworth, Lily Ainsworth, Max Brown, Jack Harries, Africa Nile, Beth Rylance and Arthur Sturridge – is soon to feature on an episode of Channel 4’s The Comedy Lab, which is an thrilling prospect for Poulter.
“The idea of our work being on TV is just amazing,” he beams. “It would be so incredible to do more television, but you’ve got to have that ultimate goal.”
Getting bums on seats in Edinburgh was a challenge in itself, but the hard work Poulter and his gang put in paid off. “We’ve really had to work hard with the flyering but it helped so much,” he enthuses. “Everyone I’ve spoken to who has been to see the show really seems to have loved it, and the audience reactions have been really encouraging as well. Lots of laughter.
“We have a really great laugh ourselves just doing it,” he continues. “Essentially, it is kids doing adult comedy, so it’s a little bit different in that respect from other shows on at the Fringe this year. But I think the most important thing is for everyone to have a good time.”
School of Comedy, Pleasance Courtyard, The Pleasance, 1.40pm, until Sunday, GBP 9 (GBP 8), 0131-226 0000
Daily Mail is reporting that actor Will Poulter has joined the cast of “The Voyage of the Dawn Treader” in the role of Eustace Clarence Scrubb. It is amazing just how much he looks like the Eustace that I think we all imagined him to be.
Will Poulter, who has been cast as pain-in-the-butt Eustace Scrubb, the Pevensie children’s cousin, in the next Narnia adventure to go before the cameras – The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader – which Michael Apted will direct.
Awful things happen to Eustace in this tale, but he learns. Will played Lee Carter, the scamp schoolboy in the film Son Of Rambow.
In fact, when I interviewed Will a few months ago I thought he’d be one holy terror, but he’s a very likeable 14-year-old Londoner, and I was struck by his perfect manners.
In Voyage Of The Dawn Treader he’ll join Ben Barnes, as Prince Caspian, and Skandar Keynes and Georgie Henley, as Edmund and Lucy. Peter and Susan don’t feature in this story – at least not in the one C.S Lewis wrote.
The second Narnia picture, Prince Caspian, had its premiere last night and opens next week.
Talk about it in The Dancing Lawn
Read about him on IMDB
Yes, confession, the breaking news stories yesterday were in fact April Fools Day Jokes. I really enjoyed reading everyone’s responses to the jokes both on the message board for NarniaFans and NarniaWeb. I almost busted a gut laughing at some of your responses! Some of you caught on really well! I was impressed. I hope none of you were too alarmed by any of the news and apologize if you were. Thank you all for being such great sports. As a bonus, I hope some of you checked my source link on Wikipedia as it would have led to a page on April Fools.
So yes, there will not be a new Narnia book focusing on the legend of Queen Swanwhite ( though there are some well written fan fictions on-line if you can find them). Lindsey Lohan will not be in Narnia as Ramandu’s daughter. Zac Ephron won’t be playing Eustace. The “powers that be” have wisely chosen unknowns for the principles thus far and surround them with great top-notch actors and actresses as apposed to celebrities, for the supporting roles. No doubt they will repeat this formula.
When actual news of the cast for Voyage of the Dawn Treader does surface, you can count on us to have the news. And rest assured, I think we all will be “presently surprised” when the news hits and amazed when the next installment of our beloved fantasy series comes to life .
Though remember when April 1st comes around I think we all have the tendency to behave a bit like Edmund ( or maybe Eustace.) ESPECIALLY here at NarniaFans.
For those who missed out on the fun and excitement ( and the possible heart failures, seizures, strokes, Near Death Experiences, nausea, throwing up in the mouth, rage, and other symptoms associated with believing the jokes) here they are.
Harper Collins announces release of “Lost” Narnian Chronicle: “The Legend of Queen Swanwhite.”
Long time fans of the Chronicles of Narnia who were saddened by the end of the series in 1956 may rejoice at some news from publisher Harper Collins. With the help of Walter Hooper, Colin Duriez, and other Lewis scholars, Harper Collins is posthumously publishing the book that existed in various fragments. Lewis scholars had found these fragments and pieced them together, resulting in a coherent story.
“Parts of it were in old notebooks. A page or two had been written on a couple of cocktail napkins. The opening page had been scribbled on a student’s test booklet that he was grading. A few other bits and pieces were found in other places,” said Hooper, a long time editor and collaborator with Lewis.
“A few fragments were even found on an old chewing gum wrapper from a stick of gum that Tolkien gave to Lewis,” he added.
“We are very excited about this new release,” said a representative of Harper Collins. “ We were a little leery at first about releasing it as we weren’t sure if it would sell. The only fantasy books that seem to sell now a days are Harry Potter books. You can’t bank on the success of some old dead guy.”
However another CEO, who wished to remain anonymous, expects the book to do well considering the success of Tolkien’s Children of Hurin last summer.
“Children of Hurin was number 1 on the New York Times Best-Seller list. It knocked a Harry Potter book off of it’s spot and out sold the final Left Behind book. A rare feat for a book by a deceased writer. This has shown it could work.”
Narnia has it’s own built in fan base. Readers young and old have been hoping for more Narnia books since the release of the Last Battle,” said Colin Duriz, a noted Lewis scholar and author of various handbooks devoted to CS Lewis, JRR Tolkien and their various works. “Now they have their wish.”
Hardcore fans will remember that Queen Swanwhite was mentioned by Jewel the unicorn in the Last Battle as an important figure in Narnian history. Her name is featured on countless Narnia Timelines. There does appear to be some discrepancy between when Jewel says the events happened ( the year 1500 in Narnia time), and the official timeline compiled by Lewis. ( 900. Approximately before Jadis came to rule Narnia.)
“This book will definitely shed some light on those questions,” said Hooper. “Fans have been wondering about her for years. Now they will discover her rich story.”
We have yet to receive any details on the full plot or what other characters will appear in the story. Early rumors indicate that it may also deal with the Jadis’s return to Narnia, the beginning of the 100 year winter and how Tumnus came under her employment.
The book is expected to be released sometime this Christmas. We have not yet been able to reach Douglas Gresham for comment on this book.
Casting Announcement : HSM Star joins the Voyage.
Word on the street indicates that a choice has been made on a crucial member of the cast of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. That role is Eustace Scrubb. It is none other than High School Musical star, Zac Efron.
“They were hesitant on casting him at first,” the insider reported. “ As he is such a high profile star. But he gave the best audition.”
Other finalists on the very short list included Dylan and Cole Spraus from the Disney Channels Suite Life of Zack and Cody, Ricky Ulman from Phil of the Future, Jake Lloyd ( Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace), and Haley Joel Osment.
“Our preferences were for either Efron, Ulman or one of the Spraus twins to get a role in this franchise,” said a Disney insider. “Narnia is one of our most bankable franchises, and these are some of our biggest stars. Efron, especially has a lot of street credence with our target audiences.”
“They’ve cast plenty no-names in the series, such as that guy from Schindler’s List ( JS: Liam Neeson) as the voice of Aslan,” said a member of the filming crew. “While he’s a great actor, what we need is a big star to carry the franchise. No one is bigger than Zac Efron right now. It was a perfect fit.”
Efron has already been training for his role and is meeting with his dialect coach to prefect a British accent. Reports indicate he is getting along well with the cast already. It has also been reported that Partick Stewart ( X-Men, Star Trek: TNG), and Christopher Lee ( Lord of the Rings, Star Wars Episode II&III) have also been seen on set. Could they also be filling in roles for the film, perhaps as Coriakin and Ramandu?
Check back with NarniaFans tomorrow for more news on these casting choices!
Lindsey Lohan enters Narnia!
One of the biggest names in Hollywood is getting to become part of one of the biggest fantasy franchises. Sources indicate that child star Lindsey Lohan has received a role in the next installment of the Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. She has been tapped to play the small, but memorable character of the daughter of Ramandu.
Fans of the series will remember that Caspian, Lucy, Edmund and Eustace meet the character at the last island they landed on before they reached the edge of the world of Narnia. The character is the daughter of the wizard Ramandu, a retried star. She and Caspian fall in love and get married. The two of them become the parents of Prince Rillian, one of the main figures in The Silver Chair.
The character is never named, but expect the screen writers to amend that situation. The star’s agent says that this will be a great way for her to repair her image following her legal problems that were the subject of tabloids for weeks, as well as the box office failures of her recent films.
An executive from Disney said, “We are honored to have her coming back. She has had a great record with us.”
The actress has gone on to say, “I really like the books. They’re my favorite. Goblet of Fire is my favorite out of all of them. Wait, this isn’t Harry Potter? Oh well, a jobs a job.”
Word on the street indicates that a choice has been made on a crucial member of the cast of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. That role is Eustace Scrubb. It is none other than High School Musical star, Zac Efron.
“They were hesitant on casting him at first,” the insider reported. “ As he is such a high profile star. But he gave the best audition.”
Other finalists on the very short list included Dylan and Cole Spraus from the Disney Channels Suite Life of Zack and Cody, Ricky Ulman from Phil of the Future, Jake Lloyd (Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace), and Haley Joel Osment.
“Our preferences were for either Efron, Ulman or one of the Spraus twins to get a role in this franchise,” said a Disney insider. “Narnia is one of our most bankable franchises, and these are some of our biggest stars. Efron, especially has a lot of street credence with our target audiences.”
“They’ve cast plenty no-names in the series, such as that guy from Schindler’s List ( JS: Liam Neeson) as the voice of Aslan,” said a member of the filming crew. “While he’s a great actor, what we need is a big star to carry the franchise. No one is bigger than Zac Efron right now. It was a perfect fit.”
Efron has already been training for his role and is meeting with his dialect coach to prefect a British accent. Reports indicate he is getting along well with the cast already. It has also been reported that Patrick Stewart ( X-Men, Star Trek: TNG), and Christopher Lee (Lord of the Rings, Star Wars Episode II&III) have also been seen on set. Could they also be filling in roles for the film, perhaps as Coriakin and Ramandu?
Check back with NarniaFans tomorrow for more news on these casting choices!
By Sarah Hadland
A young actor from Haywards Heath could be set for international stardom after getting down to the last 10 contenders for a lead role in the next Chronicles of Narnia film.
Ardingly College pupil Joshua Williams, 13, is in the running for the role of Eustace Scrubb in the epic production of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, which would require him to relocate to Slovenia for six months next year.
Scrubb is the cousin of the Pevensie children from The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. In the film, he will accompany King Caspian on a land and sea quest to find the seven lost lords of Narnia.
Joshua’s mother Hilary said the whole experience was a bit surreal: “One minute, Josh was just a good all-rounder, working hard at school – now we face the prospect of him going abroad for up to six months and becomine an international star.”
Joshua and his nine rivals will travel to London this month to take a screen test and meet director Michael Apted. If he wins the role, he will be put under an option to appear in the fourth Narnia film, The Silver Chair.
Lead role in next Narnia movie
Casting is underway for a single role in the third film of the Narnia series, ”The Voyage of the Dawn Treader”. The role is that of Eustace Scrubb. SPOILERS! It’s a demanding role that will require an extremely talented actor aged 11 to 14 to play a character whose personality transforms over the course of the story from an obnoxious pig at the beginning to a far more likable character at the end, thanks to the influence of Aslan. This is seen to be a highly challenging role as the successful actor will have to play a character who is both highly irritating whilst being watchable and, ultimately, sympathetic. The story is set in 1950s middle-class England so voices need to be credible within that context. It’s understood that whoever plays this role will be placed ‘under option’ for the next film. This is the only role being cast at present.
Visit Stars in My Eyes to apply for the role.
An IMDb user called ‘cppelham,’ whose son has auditioned for a Walden Media production or two, has recently posted that auditions are underway for the role of Eustace Clarence Scrubb for The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. We don’t yet have official word on this, so if anyone knows, please contact us ASAP.
He reports:
The casting for Eustace began last week, with dozens of boys. The process should take ages. Boys are just being filmed now and next week as well so I suspect the next round will start in 2 to 3 weeks. Lots of people on holiday though, so hopefully they will get it done quickly.
Loading ...
