Intriguing Detail Revealed about the Dawn Treader Storyline
In a recent interview with Examiner’s Carla Hay, Ben Barnes dropped a very intriguing tidbit about the overall The Voyage of the Dawn Treader storyline.
Let’s talk about the “Dawn Treader” movie. I know you can’t reveal any spoilers, but what’s in the movie that’s different from the book?
Barnes: They’ve stolen a couple of ideas from some of the later [“Chronicles of Narnia”] books. [It’s] a very difficult book to adapt, because it’s very episodic. It’s chapter by chapter. They go on the voyage, they go to one island, a bit more voyage, another island, a bit more voyage, another island. It’s very satisfying to read; every chapter by chapter, it’s very exciting. But it has no real through line. And so they have to kind of steal other elements to sew it all together. I think they’ve done it in a really clever, unobtrusive way.
Could this perhaps have something to do with the “unfathomable fate” we’ve heard about in the production’s written movie synopsis? It certainly seems like a strong possibility, but until we get more information, let the speculation begin!
Thanks to JadistarkilleR for the heads-up!
That's exactly how I feel! I was very disapointed with PC, and have been hoping DT would be better, but now…well, I just hope they don't change too much. This is my favorite book of the series, and I think they would do good with it if they tried. I mean, I know the BBC version was kind of boring, but they got it right, didn't they? Why not make it like the same, but a little more amped up?
Actually, I think it could get MUCH worse. I'm picturing like Jadis attacking Caspian, or Ed liking a slave girl or something. I think any HUGE changes to the plot of the book are more upsetting than a little romance and kiss.
From later books? Not from Silver Chair by any chance? *shudders*
While it's good to hear it's 'unobtrusive', it still really makes me uneasy.
It's so hard when it comes to changing a book into a movie. I am a hardcore Narnia fan (so much so I should probably change my screen name here), but I don't think the movie should be the same as the book. I mean, believe me, I can rant about all the unnecessary changes in Prince Caspian! But I was in a drama of VoDT once, which very closely followed the book, and it was actually almost all talking and very little action. Well, except for various little parts, but I think the movie will need to be dramatized in order to keep people from falling asleep!
Trust me, VodT is a VERY good book and I don't like a lot of the changes I've been hearing about. (Such as Gael.) But I think it needs to be changed to some extent. For instance, on the Lone Islands, Caspian walks in to Gumpas's office, gives a bunch of dialogue, and thus breaks the slave trade. It could do with more action at that point. Although some of what it sounds like they're adding is already unnecessary. 🙁
Borrowing from later books? Fascinating….but please don't tell me the Emerald Witch is involved!
I know. I'm trying not to get frustrated, but it is getting harder. Hopefully he just means a few little changes here and there, hinting at future events.
Ok, I hope they don't totally ruin the movie. this is getting kinda scary
I kind of disagree with you on the boring part lol
I completely trust the makers of this movie and know that they will do an excelent job. Honestly I wouldn't worry too much about it from what Ben said it sounds like they are doing a fantastic job! Sail on VDT!!
I agree with you Fire Fairy. Trying to put a good classic book into visual form is always difficult. And there will always be unsatisfied viewers…there is no getting around it. But one of the great difficulties in making a book into a movie is the fact that you can put the person's thoughts in the book way easier than in a movie. Also, you don't want to have too many lengthy explanations of situations in the movie otherwise the viewers become dis-engaged. But, I think that a company can successfully make a book into a movie without adding characters or changing the plot of the story. That is what makes a producer a good one…..is being able to stay as true to the book as possible without making it too boring and un-engaging to the audience.
There is my novel for you. 😀 lol.
yeah, the romance wasn't needed to make PC a good movie. It wasn't in the book, for one thing. And second, Caspian ends up marrying someone else in the next book/movie! It's just my opinion, though.
Then let's get as many people to show their support as possible!!!!! 😀
I don't think that the Silver Chair is sad so much as intense and "scary"…full of mystery and darkness. Just my opinion. 😀
Yeah i see what everybody means. But as i mentioned earlier, the filmmakers/scriptwriters may have added the part of the MLG to emphasize how much Edmund's character has matured and how Caspian's already is to contrast with Eustace's obnoxious personality. Kind of adds to their heroic icons. This is just the kind of thing that filmmakers have to do because in books, the readers are left to do all the imagining. But to bring it to the screen, everybody involved in the making of the movie has to pitch in and to the imagining for us. So we shouldn't complain or make assumptions before we see the fruits of their efforts:) because Ben (Barnes) has a point. We don't want the movie audience to be bored because a movie lacks develpoments in the plot (not that VDT will 🙂 ). But then again, pitched battles that aren't in the book aren't exactly the way to go, either. *winces, memory of castle raid in PC* So anyway, it all requires a delicate balance.
This sounds really cool, not scary! I say this everytime I post a comment.. The book is not the movie! So judge them differently and enjoy them in different ways!
*sigh* That may not work so well. Some people may be so totally turned off to PC now that they don't plan to go to VODT. Just look at how much money LWW made in comparison!
ya know, i agree with Ben of how its very episodic, chapter by chapter. it really is, i mean, even though they just go to island to island, Lewis did a good job in making it interesting enough. but in a movie, its different. they cant make it episodic, they have to change it up a little. as long as they dont terribly screw it up, im fine with it.
I think we've been too hard on them, I meen, they are out to make a movie here, not film a book. As long as they keep it "Narnia", and do the story justus, I'm happy. Sail on Dawn Treader!
i think is true what barnes said.the book is very interesting to read but to make it a movie its has to have some purpose and more details to make it a movie.i think its gonna turn out great. and don's be frighten about changing the book sometimes it makes it better!!!!
True True leolani.
REALLY! sorry(Aravis be calm). In my town as far as I know I'm the only person who likes narnia. so it very exiting to find some one who lives near me who likes narnia also, but your right I'll find lots of people who live near me on opening night.^^
I don't pay attention to that stuff, but you never know cause it doesn't matter on the money they make on opening night it matters how many fans ther are because you never know how many fans there are. I mean I didn't go on opening night and I fell in love with narnia by Prince Caspain movie. You never know how many will fall in love with VDT or the others because the letter they sent to the cast and crew with all those signatures were more than prince caspain and thats not including the ones who don't know narnia web exists so there are many fans.
So with stolen storylines from other books, how is it going to be when they get to that book. Does this mean that they plan to end with this movie? That would really stink if it did.
Allow me to add something to my earlier comment. I wrote it early this morning (for me anyway) and I realize I left out something important – I do love these movies and I think that Walden Media and the rest involved are doing a GREAT job, better than many other scenarios we could end up with. I am very grateful and I feel that all they have respect for these stories. As I said before, I don't like big changes that deviate from the main theme; but I don't want to seem ungrateful for all their doing. God bless them in their endeavor to translate these wonderful stories to the big screen.
hey, I never thought of it that way! Clever,FriendOf Narnia2! 😀
Great word, Crimson Dragon! God bless them! 😀
Wait, what exactly do they mean by 'stealing ideas from other books' ??!?! I'm getting a little nervous…. *bits fingernails and will keep doing that until 12/10/2010*
yikes.
Hmmm…. Very interesting…. Stolen story lines from other books…. Is it just me, or is anyone else breaking into a sweat?
Loved the books when I first read them at age seven (won't mention what year that would have been!) and loved the movies, though they lacked much of the depth that won the books a lifelong place in my heart. Maybe I went to the movies expecting little to nothing much and so was pleasantly surprised.
Who knows what this new production/creative team will come up with for VDT? Hopefully, they'll understand the books well enough to make a movie that does justice to them. I'm really grateful that there's a studio willing to try.
I'm curious; what do others here think of the way that the first two films handled the underlying themes of the books?
The VOD book has so many good parts that It'll be interesting to see if any of parts in the book will be dropped to save money and time in the movie
they've taken story ideas from the later book???? how could they do that??? the stroy better not get all messed up and different! just gonna have to wait and see/
i think its not that big of deal cause he says unobtrusive which means not noticeable so im not worried. im not worried about anything their doing
I agree, making a movie out of a book is a hard thing, because what would be enthralling for us Book lovers would not be as likely to attract casual moviegoers. i suppose that's why C.S. Lewis never wanted his books made into movies : Aslan on screen could never be big enough, golden enough, terrible enough and wonderful enough to be the Aslan that exsists in our hearts and minds. But for me, seeing the stories played out on screen makes them so much more real, and that makes me happy! 🙂
Amen! Aslan is the best part!
The kiss was pretty terrible. Ugh, it just makes me squirm! So wrong!
In a way, I agree with all of you. The problem is, when classic books like these are made into movies, many of the book fans are going to be slightly disappointed one way or another. The problem is, we've all developed our own ideas of what Narnia really is and how the books should be played out. And there is no way the movie-makers can live up to the expectations of every single diehard Narnia fan. Personally, I think Andrew Adamson did a magnificent job (except with a few issues in PC, like the Caspian/Susan episode, among a few other things, but PC was a very difficult book to convert into a movie). I just hope Michael Apted does as well as or better than what Andrew Adamson did. If somebody other than Andrew Adamson directed the first two, I get the feeling we'd end up with a movie as messed up as Ella Enchanted *winces*.
I absolutely 100% agree with you on the Caspian/Susan thing, puddleGlum! That just wasn't necessary!
Ditto. You'd be surprised how many of us are nearby.
Now that's an interesting twist! I've never heard that one, but that does make a bit of sense.
I'm pretty sure they've talked about doing all of the books.
Woah! Calm down a bit! I think you should consider the screenwriters a bit…they have a tough job! Have you ever adapted a book into a movie? Especially one as big as Narnia? On the same note, have you ever written a book? Please be a little more understanding of the writers, especially if you've never experienced the writing process.
AAAAHH!! Don't jinx it, please!!!!
You make a very good point, Princess Arya. I have a hard time getting people to understand how difficult and yet how necessary it is to adapt a book into a movie. A few changes in any book are always necessary.
Actually that was me, Fire Fairy, but that's okay.
You make a very interesting point about the hero of the story. I never thought of Reepicheep as being the hero, but, now that I think about it, it does make sense! He never doubted nor faltered in the entire adventure.
That almost exactly portrays how I became a Narnia Fan, except I saw the BBC LWW, PC, and a little bit of VDT, and I also saw a play version of LWW in elementary with only two actors (that was pretty cool, actually). I always loved the story of LWW, but I wasn't really a big fan of the books until after I watched the movies. Once I did read them, though, I realized how well written they are and how many connections there are to Christianity and the Bible. I think that's why I became a Narnia Fan; not because they are "cool" (even though they are), but because of their spiritual significance. I do have to say, though, that there were a few things in PC I was disappointed in, but it was much better than the BBC version. (Actually, they're all better than the BBC versions).
Emerald witch? Do they ever refer to the Lady of the Green Kirtle as the Emerald witch?
No, they've talked about making all of the books.
Into movies, I mean.
I think they did very well in LWW, with the theme of discovery and faith. PC, I'm not so sure, but they still did a pretty good job.
Oh great. They varied from the book with Prince Caspian, and things didn't turn out so well. This is making me a little hesitant. I still say–IF YOU STICK WITH THE ORIGINAL BOOK, THE MOVIE WILL BE AWESOME!!! Obviously, Fox doesn't agree with me. 🙁
narniafan4ever: I agree with you that SC is also dark, complete with elements of possession and cannibalism, but everything about Caspian in SC just breaks my heart for him. I would absolutely watch a film version of it and if it's Walden Media behind the production well I am pretty sure they will make me cry my eyes out. They've fleshed out the characters and portrayed interpersonal character relationships in a way I utterly enjoy, so just imagining Barnes' Caspian sobbing makes me sad. But in a good way! I have that much faith in the moviemakers' ability to move me.
Fire Fairy: If they do produce all seven I will be right there to watch them!
It's something I've always wondered about in the books. I have a habit of wondering and trying to fill in "the missing years" for a lot of stories. Narnia definitely stokes my imagination.
Well the real truth is that I think most of you are in different states and different countries exept the creaters(which proplaby is family, a school groop, a group of friends or something)so its exiting ifnding someone from your own state or city. And I got over exited^^
hear, hear, I agree with 'Long Live King Skandar' it sounds daunting, but these sort of alterations are necessary if you want a good movie, not just hollywood creating your imaginations for you on the screen. they're supposed to be different, so let's just all hope/pray that they manage the difference well and not judge it till we see the final product! 🙂
I also felt the kiss was unrealistic, in that if they were going for romantic drama they fell short of the mark. However if the kiss is a symbol of fleeting youth, regret, change, etc. then the kiss doesn't bother me. Interpreted from that point of view, I think the kiss is almost poignant and bittersweet, especially for someone who has strong feelings about Susan's status in LB. Peter said they weren't needed in Narnia anymore, passing authority to Caspian, the new King of Narnia. You can just as easily see Susan's kissing Caspian as her way of kissing Narnia goodbye. I found their hug AFTER the kiss to be much more moving.
Anyway I guess I'm just echoing that the kiss is not the worst they can do, by far.
The flirtation did not take only five seconds. It was Susan's motivation for almost everything she did. She was backing Caspian instead of Peter throughout the entire film. It is like the are trying to go along with the ridiculous idea that the reason Susan did not come to Narnia at the end of The Last Battle was because she did not like boys. That is not why. She didn't come to Narnia at the end of The Last Battle because she lost faith.
No, they don't. Some people do on the site, but i always think it is because they can't spell Kirtle. It bothers me, but there are worse things in the world.
I think the biggest fault of the films is that Aslan is not god in them. In the books, Aslan is the god of Narnia, of that world, in the films, he is more like a helpful powerful friend. He isn't god which is the biggest reason that i have a problem with the films. It was a lot more of a problem in PC then it was in LWW.
Are you for real? I can't express an opinion of a ludicrous course of action because I'm not a professional writer? No, I've never adapted a novel for a screenplay. I've also never butchered one, either. It's so frustrating how easily people accept the tired old excuse of 'Oh, it's sooooooooo hard to adapt a novel to the screen.' That's why there are so many mediocre adaptations. Because writers aren't taken to task ENOUGH. Anyone who can read knows that 'Dawn Treader' is a very straight-forward, well-constructed, easily accessible story that does NOT need to be doctored to this extent. This is yet another example of Hollywood a)underestimating the intended audience; and b)thinking they know better than the author. There are many great films based on infinitely more complex novels than this that are straightforward, recognizable adaptations. Read the book, understand the book, respect the book, and then REFLECT the book. That's how you make a successful adaptation. I don't see evidence of ANY of that so far. I'll give writers credit where credit is due. I thought 'Wardrobe' was a fantastic adaptation, with a few disappointing moments. I thought 'Caspian' was a passable, if somewhat compromised, interpretation of a not-so-great book. 'Dawn Treader' HAS to be good. There is no safety margin for mediocrity with this franchise anymore. The reports I am reading here are NOT inspiring confidence, and I certainly don't see how "Trust the writers. Cuz they're writers" is helpful AT ALL. If this site is to be useful, to any significant degree, that CANNOT be the rallying cry of the masses. That's my amateur opinion.
Reepicheep is ABSOLUTELY the hero of the story. Or, to put it more accurately, it's really HIS story, ultimately. It's a fantasy/quest story on many levels, but the real quest is for Reepicheep to find a quiet, lasting peace. Remember when he throws his sword over the Silver Sea? At that point, he's finally at peace. He's finally "come home". Sadly, I have ZERO faith that we'll see this reflected in the film.