The NarniaWeb Interviews: Douglas Gresham
While in London last week for the premiere, I had the opportunity to interview several cast members. I’ll be posting those interviews this week and I hope you’ll enjoy them. To start off, I had the opportunity to speak with Douglas Gresham, the stepson of C.S. Lewis. We talked about changes from book to film as well as his time on set and what Jack would have thought about this movie.
As I said I belive it is real. My mom & grandpa said that might be happening (I think that happens sometimes in Hollywood, and they are used to that), and I wanted to hear others opinions. But I have no doubt that this is real. Sorry if it came across wrong!
Of course they will, even if the last three don't get made, they won't stop with VDT. Well,it's just like the Pevensies' story doesn't end at VDT, they are in LB and HHB. What I meant is that Eustace's story of him being a part of two worlds is over after SC because in LB he's in Narnia cause he's dead.
I agree about the green mist being heavy-handed. I also think that it was the most ridiculous thing in the movie–well, beyond the deliberately and comically ridiculous like the Dufflepuds. I understand the film makers' desire to have a more interesting, unified plot to tie all the islands/events together better. But really, is an unexplained, zig-zagging bright green mist really the best they could come up with?
Not only did it look silly, but there was no explanation of what it was, what it's origins were, or why the 7 swords destroyed it. Of course, if they make The Silver Chair, a lot of people will go, "Oh! I see!" but you shouldn't have to see a movie's sequel first before you understand a major plot element of movie itself. Plus, I've seen several people compare it to the Smoke Monster in Lost. So this strange, added "character" in the movie doesn't even seem that original to a lot of people.
I really wish they would have stuck more closely to Lewis. Yes, it would have been a little less "exciting," but it would have had much greater depth and still a lot of adventure. This was a good, entertaining film in my opinion and I'll see it again and buy the Blu-ray I'm sure, but it still seemed a little shallow, vague, and really rushed to me. It didn't fully live up to the potential of the book. The first movie followed the book pretty closely, but they've really gone off and done their own thing with these last two. Oh well, at least we know that one person is pushing for these stories to be filmed as written.
Then again, its international numbers are very impressive. I think SC ought to come in November 2012 because if it comes in December, it'll get thrashed by the Hobbit.
I would like to hear more about what he thinks Lewis would have thought of the films too. I guess he really just doesn't know and doesn't want to second-guess his step-father. Since Lewis talked about his fear that film makers would screw up Aslan (with the technology of his day, of course), perhaps Douglas feels that he's on safe ground discussing this.
At any rate, I doubt that Jack Lewis would be nearly as picky and bothered about adaptations of his stories as someone like his perfectionist friend J.R.R. Tolkien would have been.
Oh, OK. No problem. Your family probably just didn't realize that Prince Caspian didn't do so well at the box office (relative to its really excessive budget at any rate). If Caspian had been a big hit like The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, then Walden and Fox would have more leeway to continue the series even if this one isn't a hit. But two failures in a row would almost certainly mean an end to the series. I know it's hard to trust Hollywood types all the time, but at least in this case, what they're saying is true.
I loved this video and really respect Gresham discussing these things that have everyone else itching to punch something. (And no – I am not one of these people because I LOVED the movie.) He really makes a lot of sense with his points and it makes me happy to hear him say Jack would have liked the movies! 😀
I am shocked how some people on Narniaweb did not like the film. I know it is because of your love for the books, a love I share, but taken on it's own this is a fine movie. In fact, how often has Hollywood given us such a swashbuckling adventure and a story that helps us to think about what it takes to be better people? I have seen Dawn Treader twice and will see it again. It is exciting and moving. I wept each time. I wonder if we are too picky and hard to please if we end up more like Eustace Clarence Scrubb before being "de-dragoned" instead of being true Narnians! While driving home from the theater I asked my daughters what they liked best. One said the transformation of Eustace into a good boy and the others said they liked it when Aslan said, “You must know me by another name in your world.” Needless to say I teared up. What a film! What an adventure!
I agree with you. 😉
It is a great movie. I sobbed at the end. So moving.
I can't wait to see it again. 😀
"The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe" always will be my favorite, but I think "Dawn Treader" is a wonderful companion to the first film, and it is easily my second favorite of the three.
As Reepicheep would say: «We Have Nothing If Not Belief» 🙂
Totally agree with you both, guys.
By the way, did anyone catch Mr. Gresham´s cameo?
I THINK I did. I believe he is one of the slave traders in the scene when they are captured. But I've only seen it once so far, so I could be wrong.
Matthew Vaughn, director of Stardust and Kick-ass, should direct the next Narnia movies!
Stardust budget – 70mil
Kick-ass budget – 30mil