Narnia Fans » World Premiere

I have just spoken with James, a reporter on the site of the World Premiere of the film in London. He’s stationed under a tent with about 30 journalists. He says that there are more people there than he’s ever seen, the mood is great, and the people are excited.

There are many British celebrities on the list to arrive, and the main cast of the film is expected to arrive within moments of my phone conversation with him. The reporters are all very cold, but stationed under a Lamp-post that he says looks very much like the one used in the film.

There are props and statues from the film everywhere, and a snow machine pumping snow everywhere, setting the stage for a wintery premiere. Based on the sounds of everything there, it’s going to be a huge premiere, and we’re excited to be able to give you this small taste of what is happening there, at the Royal Premiere of the film that the world is waiting to see.

Be sure to listen to the Narnia Podcast today and expect another podcast episode on Thursday with news from the stars and more exclusive material.

The podcasts are on iTunes (“Narnia Official Movie Preview”)!

Here’s more on the blue-carpet events at the premier sent in by phil:

If you would like to share in the action and spectacle at the World Premiere and Royal Film Performance of “The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe” at the Royal Albert Hall later today, read on……

Disney have made covered grandstand seating available for a large number of spectators. The grandstands are situated overlooking the “ice-blue” carpet for a great view of the stars, the filmmakers and the Royal arrivals from 5.15 to 6.30pm today. The grandstands open to the public from 4.30pm, but to guarantee a place, you can turn up anytime from 8am to pick up a wristband which will save your place!

Tonight, the Royal Albert Hall will be transformed into a glittering film palace for the highly anticipated World Premiere and Royal Film Performance 2005 of The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe in aid of the Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund, which will be attended by HRH The Prince Of Wales and HRH The Duchess Of Cornwall.

Under the spell of the White Witch, the icy world of Narnia will be recreated at the Royal Albert Hall with the stars of the film and celebrities from around the world walking up an ice blue carpet for the premiere. Following the screening a magical winter wonderland will be the setting for the party in a massive marquee in the Kensington Gardens which will be attended by thousands of international guests.

Attending from the film will be Andrew Adamson (Director), Mark Johnson (Producer), William Moseley (Peter Pevensie), Anna Popplewell (Susan Pevensie), Skandar Keynes (Edmund Pevensie), Georgie Henley (Lucy Pevensie), Tilda Swinton (Jadis, The White Witch), James McAvoy (Mr Tumnus, The Faun), Ray Winstone (Mr Beaver), Dawn French (Mrs Beaver), James Cosmo (Father Christmas), Omar Sharif (Voice of Aslan in France & Italy), Judy McIntosh (Mrs Pevensie), Jim Broadbent (Prof. Kirke), Noah Huntley (Adult Peter), Sophie Winkleman (Adult Susan), Mark Wells (Adult Edmund), Rachel Henley (Adult Lucy), Kiran Shah (Ginarrbrik), Patrick Kake (Oreius) and Shane Rangi (General Otmin).

Additional guests expected to attend include Sir Cliff Richard, Jennifer Saunders, Dannii Minogue, Sadie Frost, Jade Jagger, Clive Owen, Denise Lewis, Justin Hawkins, Frankie Dettori, Ioan Gruffudd, Alice Evans, Erin O’Connor, Lee Ryan, Lulu, Natasha Hamilton, Fran Cosgrave, Paul Robinson, Elle MacPherson, Christiane Amanpour, James Rubin, Joan Collins, Duncan James, Leah Wood, Annie Lennox, Sharon, Ozzy, Kelly and Aimee Osbourne, Gillian Anderson, Colleen McLoughlin, Jodie Kidd, Lauren Laverne, Dermot O’Leary, Girls Aloud, Julie Walters, Jeremy Sheffield, Jamelia, Olivia Williams.

TheFilmFactory.co.uk have just finished making a free podcast for the movie and thought we’d let you know about it. It’s available on iTunes right now and contains exclusive scenes, interviews and music. You can even download the trailer to your video iPod if you are flashy enough to have one.

Today they’re going down to the Royal Albert Hall for the World Premiere so expect another podcast episode on Thursday with news from the stars and more exclusive material.

The podcasts are on iTunes (“Narnia Official Movie Preview”)!

Most moviegoers will have to wait until the December 9 release date to enjoy Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media’s The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, one of the most eagerly anticipated films of the year — but one lucky fan and three guests will win the trip of a lifetime to experience Narnia at its World Premiere on December 7 at London’s Royal Albert Hall. The winner and his or her guests will walk the “blue” carpet at the Royal Premiere, which benefits the Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund and will include dignitaries, VIP’s and celebrities from around the world as well as the film’s cast and crew.

The national sweepstakes, organized by Walt Disney Studios and Fandango, the nation’s largest movie ticketing service, has already seen tens of thousands of entries. The sweepstakes grand prize is a three-day trip for four to London, with round-trip airfare courtesy of Virgin Atlantic. Other prizes include official Narnia merchandise, including signed movie posters, “The Chronicles of Narnia” seven-book box set and a book on the making of the movie. Sweepstakes details can be found at http://fandango.com/narnia.

“Narnia is one of the holiday season’s most anticipated films’ and advance tickets for select North American theaters are already selling briskly on Fandango,” says Fandango President and CEO, Art Levitt. “The movie is an extraordinary undertaking, and we’re excited to be working closely with Walt Disney Studios on this partnership — and to be able to reward lucky moviegoers with the journey of a lifetime to experience the movie of a lifetime.”

Tickets to the premire start at 50 pounds, about $75US. A ticket to the pre-premiere reception costs 45 pounds. Tickets to the post-premiere cast party in Kensington Gardens are not for sale, unless you can afford a special box for twelve at a price of 20,000 pounds. The Prince of Wales and his wife are expected to attend, as this has been selected as this year’s Royal Film Performance.

You can apply for tickets with the The Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund at http://www.ctbf.co.uk/events/events_q4.html. Their e-mail is s.pacellini@ctbf.co.uk (Sophie Pacellini). Their number is 020 7292 8384, and their office hours are 1:30 pm to 5 or 5:30 pm.

From our forums: I work for a charity that helps people involved in the cinema and television industries. My charity is the one that benefits from the Royal Film Performance every year – and this year it’s Narnia!

If you would like an application form for tickets, please telephone us on 0207 437 6567. Our website is www.ctbf.co.uk. (The Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund).

The tickets are not cheap (lowest price is £50, highest is £250) and the number of tickets that we can sell is limited, but you may be lucky. (NB. Current members get preference on allocation I am afraid).

Please get the forms back to us as quickly as you can.

I repeat – the ticket allocation is not guaranteed. (but the application form is pretty anyway!)

Extremely limited availability this year for ticket purchases – Ticket Application Forms will be despatched shortly and CTBF Members will be given priority booking status, on a first come, first served basis.

All enquiries for Boxes only at the Royal Albert Hall, including pre-premiere hospitality and official post-premiere cast party tickets, should be directed to Gayle Gover, g.gover@ctbf.co.uk. Tel: 020 7437 6567.

You must fill out an application to get a ticket. You must do it before November 1st. Seats will be filled on a first-come-first served basis, with members of the Fund taking precedence.

If you are interested in seeing the royalty, please note that the cheapest seats are located ABOVE the box seats, so you might or might not have a view of them.

Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, an ice rink, a giant ice chandelier, ice carvings and indoor snow falls will feature in the lavish world premiere of Kiwi director Andrew Adamson’s The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

Details about the premiere, to be held in London’s Royal Albert Hall on December 7, were unveiled by the film’s backers Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media.

Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, will attend, and a white carpet will replace the traditional red carpet in keeping with the theme of a 100-year winter from C S Lewis’ book for children.

A party after the premiere will be held at Kensington Gardens. Part of the garden will transformed into Narnia, the mythical land where the film – mainly shot in New Zealand – is set.

The promotion for Adamson’s film, reported to have a budget of between $161 million and $258 million, will come only two days after a high-profile event for Peter Jackson’s King Kong in New York on December 5.

Plans for the King Kong premiere include screenings for 8000 guests and events in Times Square and the Empire State Building, which plays a central role in the film’s climax.

The stage has been set for the World Premiere of Walt Disney Pictures/Walden Media’s “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe,” one of the most eagerly anticipated films of the year. On December 7, in the presence of TRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, this extraordinary event film will transform Royal Albert Hall and Kensington Garden in to Narnia’s 100 year winter. Chosen as the prestigious 2005 Royal Film Performance, the premiere is a fundraising event in aid of the Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund, it was announced today jointly by the Walt Disney Studios, Walden Media, the CTBF and Clarence House.

The magic of Disney will transform the evening into a glittering Winter Wonderland reflective of C. S. Lewis’ vision of Narnia’s 100 Year Winter. Royal Albert Hall will be turned in to a spectacular film palace with a glamorous white carpet replacing the traditional premiere red carpet. The 100 Year Winter theme will continue at the exclusive party in Kensington Garden following the screening where guests from around the world will be transported into a magnificent land with giant trees, frosted and sparkling, and adorned with ice carvings. Towering over the guests will be a giant iced chandelier as the centerpiece to the party. And, no matter what the weather may be outside, it is a guarantee that snow will be falling inside as guests enjoy a feast including Turkish delights and skating on an ice rink created exclusively for their enjoyment.

Unique to this event, a select group of seats will also be made available to the public for purchase. Grandstand seating will also be offered to the public so they may view up close and personal all the action and celebrity arrivals. Huge screens will broadcast the star-studded arrivals.

Commenting on the announcement, Dick Cook, chairman of the Walt Disney Studios, said, “We are proud and thrilled that ‘The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe’ has been selected as this year’s Royal Film Performance, in aid of the Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund. It is truly a great honor to be chosen for this most prestigious event on the British film calendar, and we think this event is the perfect place to introduce the film to audiences around the world. It is particularly gratifying and appropriate that this event take place in C.S. Lewis’ beloved homeland. The cherished and timeless classic that he created over 50 years ago is rooted in Britain, and remains one of the best loved books of all time. The big screen version of ‘Narnia’ is a fantastic and faithful adaptation of Lewis’ stories and we know that audiences everywhere are going to be enthralled with this unique and entertaining motion picture experience.”

David Weil, CEO of Anschutz Film Group, parent company of Walden Media, said: “We feel privileged that ‘The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’ will make its world premiere as the 2005 Royal Film Performance in aid of The Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund. This film, and particularly the premiere at Royal Albert Hall, is the culmination of a long and fulfilling journey for Walden Media. From our first meetings with the C.S. Lewis Company over four years ago, to our hiring of director Andrew Adamson, to our partnership with our friends at The Walt Disney Company, we have worked tirelessly to produce a film worthy of one of the most popular and beloved books of all time. The enchantment of the magical world Andrew has created is truly a tribute to C.S. Lewis and his millions of fans in Great Britain and around the world. It is with tremendous pride that we share this film with moviegoers and literary fans everywhere.”

Commenting on the selection of “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe” as the 2005 Royal Film Performance Peter Hore, Chief Executive of the Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund says: “The Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund, the cinema industry’s unique trade charity, is delighted that Buena Vista International (UK) have offered the ‘Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe’ for the 59th Royal Film Performance, a unique and very special occasion for the film industry and all concerned, in front of the cameras and behind the scenes.”

Based on C.S. Lewis’ timeless adventure “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe,” the movie follows the exploits of the four Pevensie siblings — Lucy (Georgie Henley), Edmund (Skandar Keynes), Susan (Anna Popplewell) and Peter (William Moseley) — in World War II England who enter the world of Narnia through a magical wardrobe while playing a game of ‘hide-and-seek’ in the rural country home of an elderly professor (Jim Broadbent). Once there, the children discover an incredible new world inhabited by talking beasts, dwarves, fauns, centaurs and giants that has become cursed to eternal winter by the evil White Witch (Tilda Swinton). Under the guidance of a noble and mystical ruler, the lion Aslan (voiced by Liam Neeson), the children fight to overcome the White Witch’s powerful hold over Narnia in a spectacular, climactic battle that will free Narnia from her icy spell forever.

The film marks the first live-action directorial effort for New Zealander Andrew Adamson (the Oscar(R)-winning “Shrek,” “Shrek 2″), who also co-wrote the screenplay adaptation with Emmy Award-winner Ann Peacock (HBO’s “A Lesson Before Dying”) and scribes Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely (all writing credits not final). The film is produced by Academy Award(R)-winning filmmaker Mark Johnson and Philip Steuer.

To bring his dazzling vision to the screen, Adamson has secured the talents of Oscar(R)-nominated cinematographer Donald M. McAlpine, ASC, ACS, Oscar(R)-nominated production designer Roger Ford, seasoned costume designer Isis Mussenden, film editors Sim Evan-Jones and Jim May and composer Harry Gregson-Williams.

Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media’s “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe,” is released in the UK by Buena Vista International (UK) Ltd and opens in cinemas everywhere in December 2005. Directed by Andrew Adamson (“Shrek,” “Shrek 2″) and produced by Mark Johnson (“The Rookie,” “Rain Man”) and Philip Steuer, screenplay by Ann Peacock and Andrew Adamson and Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely (writing credits not final), the film stars Tilda Swinton, James McAvoy, Rupert Everett and Jim Broadbent with Ray Winstone, Dawn French, Liam Neeson, Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes, William Moseley and Anna Popplewell, with Liam Neeson as the voice of Aslan.

According to Walden.com, they will send one educator (a full time teacher, librarian, principal, educational paraprofessional, district professional, afterschool leader or registered homeschool parent) and a companion to London, England next December as their guest at the World Premiere of their spectacular new film The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe.

The winner will receive…
- Roundtrip economy airfare for two from any airport in the 50 United States or the District of Columbia to London, England
- Three nights accommodation at a four-star hotel
- Meals
- Ground transportation to and from the airport and to and from the Premiere

Go to www.walden.com to register and good luck