Narnia Fans » Michael Apted

David Vallon talks Dawn Treader role

Paul Martin — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 17:47:57 +0000

For David Vallon, going to work is a slightly different experience than it is for most people. The Springfield Lakes-based actor has been performing since he was a child, but most recently has been cast in the upcoming third installment of the Narnia series, Voyage of the Dawn Treader, which is currently being filmed on Brisbane’s bayside.

“I am Governor Gumpas who is the Governor of the Lone Islands,” he said.

“He is corrupt. Most, if not all, of the people who arrive (on the island) end up being sold into slavery.

“Of course the heroes get caught up in it and Gumpas, being the baddie, gets his just desserts in the end. It’s a small role, but key to the story line.”

While Mr. Vallon wasn’t able to talk in detail about his role or experiences on the set while filming is under way, he said he had jumped at the chance of working with director, Michael Apted.

“He directed Gorillas in the Mist which is one of my all time favourite movies,” he said. “He is so easy to work with.”

Mark Johnson Talks Third Narnia: Dawn Treader

Paul Martin — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 17:34:10 +0000

ComingSoon.net recently got a chance to talk to producer Mark Johnson about the third installment in the “Narnia” franchise, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, which Fox Walden will release in theaters on December 10, 2010.

“Andrew Adamson, who wrote and directed the first two, is a producer on it with me and Michael Apted is directing,” said Johnson. “It’s a whole new franchise, I think it’s really benefiting from it. It’s a slightly different look. This one is different from the others, it’s in that ['Seventh Voyage of Sinbad,' old Harryhausen films] league and they go from island to island having adventures. I’m very excited about it.”

He added that “Adamson said something that was so smart early on. I had just re-read the book and he said, I don’t want to make a film based on ‘The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe,’ I want to make a movie based on my recollection of it. He took a 9-year-old boy’s imagination. He saw things that are not even in the book. Lewis left, sometimes major battles, on a single page, so Adamson just re-imagined it.”

Read the rest at ComingSoon.net!

Dawn Treader on Total Film’s Twenty 2010 Movies To Get Excited About

Paul Martin — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 22:17:02 +0000

Total Film is a UK magazine, and they’ve just released a list of the twenty films releasing during the year 2010 that they’re excited about. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is on the list at #20. The primary reason that they’re excited? Director Michael Apted. He is bound to bring a steady hand as a director of a great many films prior to this, and that experience could be a key to this effort. Andrew Adamson, while capable, had only directed Shrek and Shrek 2, both animated, prior to this. While I don’t look at animation as a very different medium, as they’re still films, I do think that the lack of experience directing live action created a learning curve to it, as far as getting shots that you want as well as performances.

Here’s what Total Film says:

Why We’re Excited: With Michael Apted at the helm and a much more adventurous setting than the previous Narnia movies, Dawn Treader could sail past Prince Caspian in terms of quality.

Is It Ready Yet? You are joking, right? Apted and the cast are still deep in the middle of filming. And given the effects load on this latest Narnia outing, we expect him to be working on it until the release.

More Pictures from Narrowhaven and the Dawn Treader

Paul Martin — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 23:03:34 +0000

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!

We’ve also got pictures in the gallery of The Dawn Treader nearly together, by way of Sandgate Canoe Club and a spy that sent one in to Narniaweb

1 people like this post.

Narnia: Dawn Treader Stars and Crew Love the Gold Coast

Paul Martin — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 03:36:33 +0000

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader started filming at the studios this week across several expensive sets, including a $2.1 million water tank, magicians garden and 30m ship. Director Michael Apted, whose previous films include the James Bond feature The World Is Not Enough and Gorillas in the Mist, made the most of the glorious Gold Coast winter weather by shooting key scenes in the tank during the afternoon. ”We came here for the weather and location and so far its been spectacular,” he said. (Also: new pictures of the back of the Dawn Treader)

Stars of the film, Georgie Henley and Will Poulter, who met Premier Anna Bligh between shoots, said they felt very welcome on the Coast. ”We’ve been treated very well and everyone seems very excited to have us here,” said 14-year-old Georgie who plays Lucy Pevensie in the films. ”It’s beautiful here. We’ve been around Main Beach but haven’t been to any of the theme parks yet.”

The water tank received $500,000 in State Government funding. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader will begin shooting late next week at the huge set built at The Spit. Exterior shots on board the ship will be filmed at Cleveland Point in September and interior shots inside the ship filmed at Warner Roadshow Studios.

Media co-ordinator on the film, Ernie Malik said filming on the Coast had exceeded his expectations. ”This is just like shooting in Hollywood,” he said. “These are professional sound stages and they serve our purposes tremendously.”

We’ve also got some more pictures from Narnia Fans Spy ‘Ben’ of the Dawn Treader, herself, getting a lot more detail added to the back of the ship, as well as the sides. It’s looking more and more beautiful all the time!

1 people like this post.

Gary Sweet talks about The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

Paul Martin — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 07:30:52 +0000

Gary Sweet, who plays Drinian in the film The Voyage of the Dawn Treader spent a few moments talking to Spencer Howson at the Radio United broadcast. I’ve taken the time to transcribe what was said in the interview, here.

Spencer: You’re also currently filming the next Narnia movie on the Gold Coast.

Gary Sweet: That’s right, yeah. I’m on the Gold Coast for another sixteen weeks now.

Spencer: Tell me what you’re doing in Narnia, then.

Gary Sweet: Ah, well, I don’t know if I can actually tell you that, cause I actually did sign a confidentiality agreement, but look, there’s a ship involved and of course somebody has to be in charge of that ship. Let’s just leave it at that.

Spencer: So anyone who’s read the book will know full-well what you’re saying.

Gary Sweet: Yeah, exactly.

Spencer: That’s a film that’s going to have huge international appeal as part of this series. That’s gotta be pretty exciting to be working on.

Gary Sweet: Yeah, it is. Yeah, it’s very exciting. One of the great pluses for me is the director, a guy called Michael Apted whose just a legendary British director. [...] Just the scope of this production, Spencer, is amazing. The digital stuff and the computer graphics and all that sort of stuff. It’s mind blowing. I missed all that, you know, I’m too old for that, plus I’m a technical moron. I’m not really good with all the technical side of things but geez they can do some amazing things now.

Listen to the full interview here, at ABC Brisbane

The Dawn Treader comes to Oz

Paul Martin — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 07:11:04 +0000

On Friday, Premier Anna Bligh welcomed director Michael Apted and two of the young stars of the film, Georgie Henley (Lucy Pevensie) and Will Poulter (Eustace Clarence Scrubb), to the Gold Coast of Australia. The premier commented “This is set to be the largest budget film ever produced in Queensland. It’s a big investment here in the film industry at a time when we need it most. We expect to see the creation of 2,000 jobs because of this production. In December 2010 the filming that’s happening here on the Gold Coast will be on the big screen right around the world – I can’t wait to see it on the big screen and to see the Gold Coast shine.”

Ernie Malik, the film’s publicist and media coordinator took her on a stroll through the set of the magician’s garden. When asked how it felt to be standing in the middle of Narnia, the premier responded: “It’s got a certain magic about it. This garden is simply remarkable and there’s a mystery and magic about it that I think children are going to love.”

But what about the Dawn Treader, herself? Ernie Malik had this to say:

“We’re here because of the infrastructure of the Gold Coast, and they have this water tank that we needed because this is a seafaring story and this is the only tank of its kind in the southern hemisphere. Strangely enough, the Dawn Treader will never set oar in that tank. The ship’s over 100 feet (30 metres) long, it was assembled here then disassembled and trucked to Cleveland Point where we will shoot the exterior scenes in September then come back here and shoot the interior scenes. Through the magic of the movies it will look like it’s out to sea, but the Dawn Treader itself will never touch an ounce of water. This set was done by locals and designed by an American … and it just goes to show that the craftsmanship and the magic exists here.”

1 people like this post.

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader – Press Release and Casting News

Paul Martin — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 18:29:21 +0000

“The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader,” the third in the epic series of films based on the bestselling books by C.S. Lewis, will begin principal photography on location in Queensland, Australia, today – July 27, 2009. The production, a joint venture between Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation and Walden Media, continues the franchise which commenced with

The spectacular, Oscar®-winning 2005 release, “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” and its 2008 follow-up, “Prince Caspian,” whose combined global box office gross tops $1.2 billion.

This time around – Edmund and Lucy Pevensie, along with their pesky cousin Eustace Scrubb – find themselves swallowed into a painting and on to a fantastic Narnian ship headed for the very edges of the world.

Joining forces once again with their royal friend Prince Caspian and the warrior mouse Reepicheep, they are whisked away on a mysterious mission to the Lone Islands, and beyond. On this bewitching voyage that will test their hearts and spirits, the trio will face magical Dufflepuds, sinister slave traders, roaring dragons and enchanted merfolk. Only an entirely uncharted journey to Aslan’s Country – a voyage of destiny and transformation for each of those aboard the Dawn Treader – can save Narnia, and all the astonishing creatures in it, from an unfathomable fate.

Veteran filmmaker Michael Apted (the 007 epic “The World Is Not Enough,” “Gorillas in the Mist,” “Coal Miner’s Daughter”) is at the helm of the new Narnia venture. Returning as the Pevensie children are Georgie Henley as Lucy and Skandar Keynes as Edmund. Ben Barnes (”Easy Virtue,” “Dorian Gray”) reprises the role of Caspian. Cousin Eustace will be played by UK native Will Poulter (”Son of Rambow”).

The supporting cast includes several veterans of the Aussie film world, including Gary Sweet (”Stingers”), Bruce Spence (”Road Warrior”), Arthur Angel (”Ghost Rider”) and Kiwi native Shane Rangi, back for his third go-round in Lewis’ fantastical world (donning the guise of a Minotaur, as he did in the two previous films). And, lending his vocal talents again to the project is Academy Award® nominee Liam Neeson (”Kinsey,” “Schindler’s List”) as the all-powerful ruler of Narnia, Aslan the Lion.

While relinquishing the director’s chair this time out, filmmaker Andrew Adamson (the Oscar®-winning “Shrek,” “Shrek 2″) will return as one of the film’s three producers, reteaming with his colleagues from the first two “Narnia” films — Academy Award®-winner Mark Johnson (”Rain Man,” “Bugsy,” “The Notebook”) and Philip Steuer (”The Rookie,” “The Alamo”).

Also back for another Narnian adventure are Executive Producers Perry Moore and Lewis’ stepson, Douglas Gresham. The screenplay was written by Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely (Lion, Witch & The Wardrobe and Prince Caspian) and Richard LaGravenese (The Fisher King) and Michael Petroni (The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys).

Inspired by Lewis’ imaginative creations, the story’s human cast will once again be complemented by a gallery of original creatures portrayed onscreen in the combined efforts of live-action and CGI animation under the supervision of visual effects supervisor Angus Bickerton (”The Da Vinci Code,” “Angels and Demons”). Oscar® winners Howard Berger and Tami Lane, back for their third “Narnia” project, will reprise their efforts on the film’s prosthetic makeup effects for many of the unique characters in the story.

Apted’s technical crew also includes two industry veterans with whom he has shared an ongoing collaboration — Oscar®-nominated director of photography Dante Spinotti (”L.A. Confidential,” “The Insider”) and film editor Rick Shaine (”The Incredible Hulk,” HBO’s “Rome”). The production has also secured the talents of veteran production designer Barry Robison (”Wolverine”) and award-winning costume designer Isis Mussenden (”Shrek,” “Shrek 2″), who created the wardrobe for the previous two Narnia movies.

“The Voyage of the Dawn Treader” is the third (appearing in 1952) of Lewis’ seven-book “Chronicles of Narnia” series. Published between 1950-56 and long regarded as one of literature’s most enduring and imaginative classics, Lewis’ books have sold over 100,000,000 copies in over 50 different languages, making it the second biggest book series the world over. In addition to the third novel, the Oxford scholar wrote six additional books, including “Prince Caspian” (1951), “The Silver Chair” (1953), “The Horse and His Boy” (1954), “The Magician’s Nephew” (1955), “The Last Battle” (1956) and the story that launched the series in 1950, “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.”

Production on “The Voyage of the Dawn Treader” will take place entirely in Queensland, Australia, primarily at the Warner Roadshow Studio facility in Gold Coast, which houses the Southern Hemisphere’s largest water tank facility, crucial to the production’s needs. Filming will conclude in November 2009, with a year-long post-production schedule leading to the film’s global release in December 2010.

2 people like this post.

Correction: Dawn Treader Filming Started on July 22?

Paul Martin — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 03:45:25 +0000

No sooner did producer Perry Moore say that Principal Photography started next week, than we got reports to the contrary from a number of people. I haven’t been online in a few hours, though, so I wasn’t able to catch them until just now.

Director Michael Apted’s personal assistant Cort Kristensen says that filming started on July 22. They’ve got the first shot of the movie’s schedule, though there is no word on what that shot is, or where it will fit in the movie.

MyArtIsMyLife writes: I visited Movie World and they are filming in the carpark. I was at the Spit on 23rd July and I KNOW they were filming in the carpark on that day. I can’t get to close because of security fences but have taken photos when I could. There is a very large blue sceen with a lawn in front and a fence made of bricks covered in plaster and wrought iron railings inbetween the pillars.”

It’s really quite good to know that while filming appears to have begun. It doesn’t necessarily contradict with the start of principal photography, however, as many films will have a second unit shooting things before and after the first unit starts and finishes the filming with the primary actors. This could all be establishing shots or extras, but it could also be something more.

Now, NarniaWeb has more information about filming happening on Sunday at a certain location:

‘The Centenary centre carpark will be unavailable for use on Sunday 26th July due to the filming of the Chronicles of Narnia. Visitors can park on the road leading into the school (TSS) and also in the cricket carpark. It may be a good idea to allow extra time to find a car spot.’

More here.

They also report that the Twitter update about the start of production was removed from Twitter, but it hasn’t been. It’s right here.

Aslan’s Country interviews concept artist John Dickenson

Paul Martin — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 04:42:30 +0000

A new Narnia fan site has just launched and they have an interview with John Dickenson, who worked as a concept artist for Prince Caspian. He also spent some time working on The Voyage of the Dawn Treader:

How goes work on the Dawn Treader?

“It’s been over a year since I worked on it up in L.A. They are now shooting it down in Australia. It was my highlight so far in my career to be a part of. The 3 of us(Justin, Vance), got to work with Director Michael Apted, who was amazing to work for. We really liked the way he went about making a movie. And we also got to work with an amazingly talented Production Designer named Jan Roelfs. He had some great takes on the way this film should look and feel. We also met with Wetta’s Richard Taylor for an afternoon. He was a great inspiration. We hope to get the chance to work with him in the future. He left when we did, so I have no idea how the new PD will do on it. But the work we created was some of our best I feel. Once the movies out, I’ll post all my art on my website.”

Read the rest of the interview at Aslan’s Country

Narnia Fans » Michael Apted

David Vallon talks Dawn Treader role

Related Posts

Mark Johnson Talks Third Narnia: Dawn Treader

Related Posts

Dawn Treader on Total Film’s Twenty 2010 Movies To Get Excited About

Related Posts

More Pictures from Narrowhaven and the Dawn Treader

Related Posts

Narnia: Dawn Treader Stars and Crew Love the Gold Coast

Related Posts

Gary Sweet talks about The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

Related Posts

The Dawn Treader comes to Oz

Related Posts

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader – Press Release and Casting News

Related Posts

Correction: Dawn Treader Filming Started on July 22?

Related Posts

Aslan’s Country interviews concept artist John Dickenson

Related Posts