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The Dawn Treader (under construction) - From BaysideBulletin

From the BaysideBulletin.com:

Large, dark wood panels with elaborate golden swirls are taking shape on the far end of Cleveland Point as the set construction gets under way for filming of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, the next instalment of the Chronicles of Narnia films.

Although most of Cleveland Point reserve is still fully accessible for picnics and the playground and green space opened for temporary parking, the best view of our local Hollywood set is with a glass of wine in hand at The Lighthouse Restaurant, which will be open throughout the whole Narnia experience.

With the cast to arrive for filming in September, The Lighthouse owner and manager Tim Varitimos said the atmosphere had been buzzing with speculation.

“It’s an added attraction for the kids, as well as the parents. They come down to our beautiful bay and have a good look at what’s going on,” he said.

“It was a picture of a ship – a ship sailing straight towards you. Her prow was gilded and shaped like the head of a dragon with wide-open mouth. She had only one mast and one large, square sail which was a rich purple. The sides of the ship – what you could see of them where the gilded wings of the dragon ended – were green.” ~ The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, C. S. Lewis

The ship clearly is not finished yet. When it is done, it will be about 40m (130+ ft) long according to previous news reports.

You can read the full story at BaysideBulletin’s website here.

We’ve received two new spy reports this evening from Australia — one from Cleveland Point and one from The Spit updating us on how the production is coming along.

waterville lass writes: “I live 5 mins from Cleveland Point and have been popping out every few days to check out the progress of the building of the Dawn Treader. The gimble on which the ship will be held is nearly complete and the Dawn Treader is rather unceremoniously lying in about 4 bits next to some porto cabins, but has been painted beautifully. My understanding is that only shots requiring sky will be taken here, all the sailing action will take place in the Whitsundays. A backdrop is being digitally placed on the action so there will actually be no views of Moreton Bay sadly, it is a beautiful place but maybe our dolphins and sailing boats aren’t quite right for the movie.”
writes: “I just wanted to report that I have just visited the location at the Spit. One word: Amazing! They are building what looks like the front of a castle. Even more good news, it looks like they are building a ramp down to the water where a jetty is located. It looks like the Dawn Treader will be making an appearance at the Spit come Mid August!

Speaking of the Dawn Treader, I believe I have seen it! Although it is covered, the shape and size looks exactly like what we have all seen from the concept images. It is located at one of the soundstages at Warner Roadshow Studios. They are also building what looks like a tall tower at the studios as well.”

Thanks to both of you for sending in your reports!!

Construction for the Dawn Treader going on at Cleveland Point - From waterville lass

caspian X

As most of you are no doubt aware, the sixth film in the Harry Potter series, “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” hits theaters today. Jim Broadbent, who played Professor Digory Kirke in “The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe,” can be seen playing another professor, Horace Slughorn. The film is directed by David Yates, who will stay on for the final two films. “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part One” releases in November 2010, just a few weeks before “Voyage of the Dawn Treader” is scheduled to hit theaters.

MundoNarnia.com contacted us to let us know there are more ‘Dawn Treader’ set pictures available on SpringHillVoice.com.

“Lots of workers, security fencing, a guard and looks like it’s going to be a castle by the sea!”

There are two more pictures on the SpringHillVoice.com site, but they may just be shots taken at the same location and not necessarily related to The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Check them out here!

Thanks to Salem from MundoNarnia.com for the heads up!

As of when we post this story, it’s approximate 10:30am, July 15th in Queensland, Australia. According to the casting call from a few weeks ago, filming for The Voyage of the Dawn Treader could be starting right now!

Of course, we’ll admit up front that this beginning date has NOT been confirmed by the production, and so it may just be an estimated starting date that they gave out to the actors who auditioned for the roles.

But on the other hand, we DO know that most if not all of the crew is in Queensland, and so is the cast. So even if filming isn’t underway right now, it will begin very, very soon!

Further up and further in!

NarniaWeb is sending a support letter to the cast and crew of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. If you want to let the cast and crew know that you can’t wait to see VDT and that you are behind them all the way, then click here to sign the letter. We’ll be mailing it to Australia next month. View the LWW letter and the PC letter.

Last week we reported that the crew members were heading to Australia to begin preparations for The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, and now the cast is heading there as well.

According to Skandar’s official website, “…in a flash Skandar found himself on the plane to Australia where he will be filming Voyage of The Dawn Treader over the summer vacation and beyond. He is so excited to be a part of the next Narnia adventure.” It’s probably safe to assume that if Skandar has headed that way, so have Ben, Georgie, Will Poulter, and the rest of the Dawn Treader cast!!

You can check out Skandar’s update here.

Thanks to Lucy the Valiant for the heads up!

The San Marcos Mercury reports that Professor Steven Beebe has discovered the opening chapters of a work on the origins of language, written in C. S. Lewis’ own distinctive hand. Beebe believes that this is the start of a collaborative work that Lewis and his friend J. R. R. Tolkien had planned to write together, which was to be called Language and Human Nature. The partial manuscript was discovered at the Oxford University Bodleian Library, in a small notebook on which Lewis had written “Scraps.” The piece will be published when permission is granted by the Lewis Estate. You can read the full article here. Thanks Gandalfs Beard for the link!

NarniaWebber PrincessMia241 sent in a report saying that Switchfoot’s song This Is Home from the Prince Caspian soundtrack has been included on the WOW 2009 compilation CD that is released every year. Included on the second disc, the song is accompanied by twenty nine other popular Christian music songs of 2009. The album is available now.

From Thisisgloucestershire.co.uk: “Chronicles of Narnia star William Moseley backed a series of pioneering children’s workshops. William, from Sheepscombe, who plays Peter Pevensie, sent a personal message to inspire and support six Tewkesbury School pupils on a Performing For Success pilot project. Organiser Emma Taylor said: ’William was very enthusiastic because he struggled academically and was inspired by drama. He couldn’t be at our presentation evening but left a video message of inspiration and support. He named all the children, making their faces light up, and left signed pictures.’ ” Read the whole story here. Thanks to Lucy P. for the heads up!