05.11.07
Posted in Misc., Narnia Films
at 10:11 am
by Paul Martin
The Chronicles of Narnia’s Warwick Davis is going to preside as the Celebration Europe Master of Ceremonies on the Main Stage this coming July 13-15 at London’s ExCeL Center.
Always a favorite with audiences, Davis will host interviews with celebrity guests, question and answer sessions, and will chat with fans, and share insights into his own extensive film and stage experience. Located within a 2000-seat theater constructed within the ExCeL Center, the Celebration Europe Main Stage will feature an extensive line up of exciting guests and shows across all three days of the show, all of which will be woven together by Davis’ expert hand.
Watch for his return to Hogwarts in 2007 as Flitwick in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, and for his new role as Nikabrik in the upcoming Chronicles Of Narnia: Prince Caspian currently in production.
For more on the talented actor and his many projects, check out his official web site.
The Celebration Europe Main Stage is located within the main hall at Celebration Europe. Please note that entry to some shows and presentations might be limited by capacity. Please check the official Celebration site for updates and a full stage schedule closer to the show.
Click here to book Celebration Europe tickets.
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02.22.07
Posted in Narnia Films, Voyage of the Dawn Treader
at 2:10 am
by Paul Martin
Will it be more than a year between Prince Caspian and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader? It looks like it might be. Jim Hill Media is reporting that Disney is ramping up the lookout for possible franchise opportunities, and in the middle of the article, has this to say about the Narnia series:
[...] signing British actor Ben Barnes to a three picture deal so that he can then be locked in to play Prince Caspian in the next three “Narnia” films. With “Caspian” being released to theaters in May of 2008 and the film version of “The Voyage of the Dawn Treader” already being penciled as Disney’s big holiday season release for 2009.
So it’s looking as though it may not be only a year between the releases of the next two films in the Narnia series, but more like the Harry Potter series with releases set about a year and a half apart. Let’s hope that the release window is officially announced soon so that any rumors can be laid to rest. However, this is a very interesting development.
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02.05.07
Posted in Narnia Films, Voyage of the Dawn Treader
at 1:16 am
by Paul Martin
We’ve just received word that Andrew Adamson expects to still be working on Prince Caspian when shooting starts on The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. We expect that he’ll be heavy into post-production on that film, and will be acting as a producer on Dawn Treader. This is much like the role of Chris Columbus on the Harry Potter series of films. After directing the first two, he’s been acting as a producer, ensuring that the sequels maintain the overall look of the first films. The capable directing hands of director Alfonso Cuarón took the reigns and delivered what I feel is the best film in the series thus far: Prisoner of Azkaban. It was the first time that I felt the “magic” of the Harry Potter world as I watched it. Also, having never read a single Harry Potter novel, I didn’t know what I was missing, and while others complained, I admired. I look at all of the artistic shots, the fluid camera movements and the editing. The story is entertaining and dark, and the world seemed more real, more alive.
When it comes to other directors shooting the other Narnia films, it isn’t quite the same thing. Sure, the other Narnia books follow a lot of the same characters, but each book is almost mutually exclusive. They simply take place in the same world, on the same timeline. The one thread that connects them all is Aslan. This makes it very easy for another director to shoot a film in the Narnia series and get away with being a bit different from the style that Andrew Adamson has set in place. Each book even calls for a different style, as the stories are so varied.
The biggest question is not whether or not another director should fill Andrew Adamson’s shoes. We know that it’s going to happen now. The biggest question is: Who will it be?
I am sure that Walden Media and Disney are looking at prospects to direct Dawn Treader, and am really curious as to who they will select. Because it takes place mostly on the sea, and is being produced by Disney, would Gore Verbinski be open to shooting another film with a lot of water? Or would he be waterlogged from directing the Pirates of the Caribbean Trilogy? What about Peter Jackson? Well, he’s working hard on adapting The Lovely Bones, at the moment. Perhaps director Jay Russell. He’s directed Tuck Everlasting, Ladder 49, and the a very good film called My Dog Skip (a film that I’d recommend to anyone). He’s also the director of Walden Media’s The WaterHorse. He seems to work well with young actors, and after this film would have the experience to tackle an epic that takes place mostly at sea.
Who do you think would make a good director for Voyage of the Dawn Treader?
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12.22.06
Posted in Misc., Narnia Films
at 11:56 pm
by Andy Filipowich
J. K. Rowling started an international buzz when she released the seventh title of the Harry Potter series. People were analysing the new name to death, coming up with theories on who is going to live, who is going to die, and everything in between.
At the forefront of these discussions were the various Harry Potter fan sites. Within hours of the title’s release, Mugglenet.com’s staff member Ciaran posted an editorial of possible book release dates. Pottercast, a Harry Potter podcast, rushed to release an analysis of the title. Forums everywhere, including our own Dancing Lawn were discussing the new name.
With all of this happening, one has to wonder if news from the Narnia world will achieve the same reaction.
Unfortunately, the author of the beloved Narnia series has deceased and we cannot expect a new title for a book. However, there are many other news stories that the Narnia community is waiting to know, like who will play Prince Caspian in the next Narnia movie.
However, the question remains; Will the release of Prince Caspian create as much of a buzz as the new Harry Potter book title?
Probably not. The Harry Potter series has been a defining moment of the upcoming generation, along with the Internet. Many Harry Potter fan sites have been posting their thoughts on the books for years, while the Narnia fan sites have only begun a short time ago.
Furthermore, while the new actor will be a big topic in the Narnia forums, the series is not as popular as the Harry Potter books. The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, the first Narnia movie, was released the same time as the fourth Harry Potter movie The Goblet of Fire. While the Narnia movie made 744.8 million last year, the Harry Potter movie grossed 892.2 million dollars, a 147.4 million dollar difference. (Source: Boxofficemojo.com) Furthermore, many of the Harry Potter fans are teens and more likely to be technologically inclined. Meanwhile, many Narnia fans have loved the books for their whole lives, or are in their first years of their life, and are less likely to know how to discuss our passion on the Internet.
So what do we do about it? How do we create hype for the new Prince Caspian?
The best thing we can do is talk about it. When the name of the actor is released, tell as many people as you can. Post on as many different forums as you can. Talk to your friends, your family, and your peers.
Let us show the world that Narnia is just as good as Harry Potter. Let us create the hype that the movies deserve.
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