Opinion: Sequel? Prequel? Reboot? What now?

NEWS DROUGHT ALERT!

In the middle of a news drought, fans have a tendency to let their imaginations run wild on what the future could hold. In this video, I embrace that tendency and examine possible routes Walden Media could take for a fourth Narnia film.

Outline:

1. Sequel: The Silver Chair

  • Fourth book to be published (1953)
  • Logical next chapter
  • Will Poulter’s age
  • Set up in Dawn Treader film

2. Prequel: The Magician’s Nephew

  • More popular book
  • Clear connection to the first film
  • The opportunity to give Tilda Swinton a prominent role again.

3. Reboot: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

  • Start from scratch: New cast, new crew
  • Would need to be fundamentally different from Adamson’s version. (Animation? PG13?)

4. Reboot: The Magician’s Nephew

  • Re-cast Aslan and The White Witch

5. Prequel (to VDT): The Horse and His Boy

  • The Pevensies would likley be given bigger roles

6. Re-read the books! I have read each book a dozen times, and I’m still discovering new things.

How would you feel if Walden announced a LWW reboot? Scroll to the bottom of the homepage and vote now!

616 Responses

  1. Azon the Narnian says:

    I know how I'll pass the time. Ill just write screenplays for the movies myself. I can make them as geeky close to the books as I want!!! =)

  2. Dylan says:

    Hey, can you re write VDT too? lol

  3. Aslan's #1 fan says:

    I think I agree with you in some ways in most of your statements except for #4. It was in a sense a real life context. God uses us Christians to farther His Kingdom but It's undeniably His power that did it. Thanks for clearing that up though! I agree with you that VDT had it's issues but Aslan wasn't taken out of the picture like in PC which I really appreciate. And also God used the film to open my eyes to things He was trying to teach me. Yes it had its issues but God used it. 🙂

  4. Aslan's #1 fan says:

    Portrayed!!! Sorry, my bad. Aslan was PORTRAYED wonderfully. Sorry. 😉

  5. Aslan's #1 fan says:

    Go for it Azon Narnian!!! I want to do the same and see how close you can get it to the books in movie form. Go for it.
    🙂

  6. Aslan's #1 fan says:

    Remember that one of us could be the director of the remakes of Narnia. It's not all over, the next generation is the going to have to step. So step up and don't give up hope in Narnia. Aspiring Authors and Directors lets do this…

  7. Dylan says:

    Yah! They need to hire you for SC and/or MN!

  8. Dylan says:

    Thats true, good point! Wow, look at us narniawebbers, coming up with ideas for the next naria movie, look at all the hopw we have lost for this series! Even a little bit of news would be a miracle right now.

  9. Dylan says:

    Point number 4, was that hes not a tame lion? If so, my reason for defending it is this, C S Lewis was the writer of these books, and what would he think if we didnt portray Aslan in the right context. He described him as being noble and kind, but wild none the less. A lion is the king of beasts, but it is still a beast. Its fine with me that they dont add some scenes that might come across wrong, but can you imagine if they added the scene with Rilian and Eustace smacking bullies with their swords! That wouldnt go well with parents.

  10. just jill says:

    i think they should start over, have a clean slate to work on.
    they should make the films in this order
    1. the magicians nephew
    2.the lion the witch and the wardrobe
    3.the horse and his boy
    4.prince caspian
    5.voyage of the dawn treader
    6.the silver chair, and
    7.the last battle.
    that way there will be no hmmm should we do a sequel or a prequel? everything will be clean crisp and oranized.

  11. Anhun says:

    I think a generation or so from now, they should reboot the series starting with a good miniseries of VDT, setting up Eustace as the main "hero" rather than the Pevensies, so that people aren't turned off by the fact that the Pevensies don't return in central roles. Then do a big screen version of SC, then possibly do HHB as a same-universe story.

  12. farsight-mssngr says:

    It's not over! with all our supports, we can make Narnia 4 the best! Production team, let's all help each other for the better future of Narnia franchise! Never stop believing! Narnia will be back soon!

  13. Dylan says:

    OMG I dont know!!!!! Gee….

  14. Dylan says:

    With our supports? We are just fans, and have no power to decide what to do with this franchise.That being said, how would we make it the best ever? THEY could make it the best ever, but I highly doubt it based on how bad VDT was. I wish we did have a say in the matter. 2 decisions I would make right off the bat are 1- I would bring Adamson back and 2- Make it close to the book.

  15. I am a Narnian says:

    Yes, I agree…They should bring Adamson back to make the succeeding movies 🙂 He makes a very good and fascinating movie 🙂

  16. Dylan says:

    His movies felt different too, VDT seems a little out of place when comparing it to the other movies.

  17. Praying Pevensie says:

    Excuse me, but……am I missing something here?

    Narniaweb is so dead! I have been gone for only 7 months and only two new articles?

  18. Not Of This World says:

    Depressing, isn't it 🙁

  19. Praying Pevensie says:

    Completely. And why is it like that ? I mean, if I had a website I would update it everyday. Is Narnia dead? Why is it so…….dull?

  20. Noogah says:

    600th comment…..sorry. 🙂

  21. Noogah says:

    Now I feel stupid.

  22. MCM says:

    I agree I don't want to see/wait for a reboot. It will take a long time to do all those movies to get to the last one,If they even got that far at all. This isn't like HP where modern kids grew up on those books and had Harry fever. Narnia is a old series which means people can get bored VERY quickly if the movies don't deliver. Rebooting would just leave people scratching their heads. I think they're just caught up on the 700 mill the first movie made and are stuck trying to shoot for big returns. I say do the MN because it answers all the questions about the 1st movie while completely standing as it's own story. Then do the SC. I'm not excited about HB to be honest I can't really remember it.

  23. Dylan says:

    It is very depressing, the big problem is that they dont have anything to report, because right now the franchise has screeched to a halt. Dont worry, once we get some news on the next movie, this site will be hopping.

  24. Dylan says:

    Ummm, OK…..

  25. WarriorMaiden says:

    My advice for Walden would be go back to the beginning and follow the books to the letter. If they do that, people will love the movies and flock to see them. People loved LWW because it mostly followed the book and had so much charm to it. It wasn't concerned with being "epic" or "dark." Why did Narnia's box office go downhill after LWW? Simple. The movies stopped following the books, and people got wind of it before going to the theaters.
    The reason I think they need to go back to the beginning and do remakes is that fans have lost faith in the series. Walden failed to deliver twice, and once you do that, people don't bother with a series anymore. The trailer comes up and people automatically go, "Oh, another one of those Narnia movies. Not interested." Even after one failure, people will judge the series. I don't think even MN could save the Narnia franchise now. Also, they need to pick younger actors and not wait so long between filming each movie.
    The thing I wouldn't like about that would be the change in actors, especially not seeeing Will Poulter to play Eustace again.

  26. Dylan says:

    What?!?! why dont you want Poulter as Eustace? I say they couldnt have picked a better actor then him. I disagree with you, a reboot is not the way to go. Imagine if you were just an ordinary person whos not a big Narnia fan person, and then you see a trailer for Lion the witch and the wardrobe. My first thought would be "What? I thought they already did that movie, wait, is this even the same series?" it would cause for a whole lot of confusion. I say, just continue on with the series, but stay close to the books

  27. always narnian says:

    Dylan: WarriorMaiden did not say she didn't want Poulter as Eustace- she said the opposite-"The thing I wouldn’t like about that would be the change in actors, especially not seeeing Will Poulter to play Eustace again."
    I would miss Poulter as well and the Pevensie actors, but a reboot might be for the best—I could've told Walden what they needed was to stick to the books!

  28. Aslan's #1 fan says:

    I can't see a more perfect actor for Eustace, Will Poulter was the bomb, how can you say that???

  29. Aslan's #1 fan says:

    Wow…Duh. Sorry I misunderstood the statement as well… 😉

  30. Aslan's #1 fan says:

    How about we read the Silver Chair or Magician's Nephew and talk about how we envision them??? Hey at least it's something other than watching Narnia slowly die, but I refuse to think Narnia dying.

  31. always narnian says:

    good idea. I don't know if I have exactly time to read them, but I know the stories pretty good. 🙂 It would be better than nothing! 🙂

  32. Zach says:

    Why is this ongoing? Walden Media is being stupid they should just give up and hand it over to someone else or recruit andrew adamson as main director again because he did a awesome with prince caspian and the lion,witch, and wardrobe. Those are my thoughts

  33. Praying Pevensie says:

    Ok. But still, can't they find anything? Like interveiws, anything! Even stuff about the actors, I mean-come on! I bet I could find new stuff. Too bad I can't have my own website………I probably would write about Western horses anyway.

  34. Praying Pevensie says:

    Agreed to the fullest. But I thought they were ok even without Adam. Have you seen him? He looks like one of the minataurs!

  35. always narnian says:

    Adamson did good on The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. But that's it. Prince Caspian was a very unfaithful adaption. Prince Caspian & The Voyage of the Dawn Treader were just stories the directors wanted to make using the Narnia name.

  36. Queen Susan the Gental says:

    No, no no!!! I totally think they should keep going. Don't reboot the first ones! William Mosely, Anna Popplewel, Skandar Keenes and Geogie Henly or AWESOME!!! As to the Silver Chair, The Magician's Nephew or The Horse and His Boy, I personally would chose the Horse and His Boy as it is my favorite story next to LWW…plus the Pevensie, and Mr. Tumnus are in it along with four more likeable characters. (Bree, Hwin, Shasta and Aravis)

  37. Dylan says:

    Oh, wow. Im sorry, I totally misunderstood that. Then I absolutley AGREE with you WarriorMaiden.

  38. Dylan says:

    Yes, PC and VDT were very loosely based on the books, but i will say this, PC was a whole lot better then VDT.

  39. Praying Pevensie says:

    I'll ecmit that PC was alot cooler than VDT and I thouth VDT was diffeent-alot! But I don't think LWW did great either. I think PC is #1. Why does everyone like LWW?

  40. Avra says:

    PC WAS EPIC…period.Better than LWW And WAY better than VDT(even though I LOVED Will Poulter as Eustace). No offence to any narnia fan's who think otherwise.A good director is important in the way a film comes out but,If you don't have a good screenplay you are not getting a good film.VDT's screenplay was lame to put it nicely(and so was the editing). Somehow when I saw PC I knew they would not be able to top it, they had achieved their pinnacle.VDT seemed hollow .PC felt so…real.

  41. Praying Pevensie says:

    Thanks Avra!!

    You took the exact words from my mouth! I thought the exact thoughts that you just said. PC…..I don't think violence is cool-no way! But I LOVE reepicheep in PC. In VDT he sounded weirder. And everytime I watch it…the song at the end, the screenplay……it always makes me cry.

  42. Dylan says:

    "Why does everyone like LWW so much?" Praying Pevensie, the reason its the best undisputably is because it stayed so true to the story, and the struggle was on more of an epic scale. The movie I think, represents the books and the series so well, that its hard to find reasons how it was bad. Now PC might have had more action and amazingly coreographed violence and totally all so epic battles scenes, but I like LWW better mostly because it is the story of the ultimate sacrifice payed by Aslan.

  43. Dylan says:

    I do agree with you that Eddie Izzard had a better voice for Reep, the guy in VDT just sounded kind of too Britsh (no offense to Brits on the site). He just sounded so much cooler.

  44. Praying Pevensie says:

    Alright, I'll ecmit that it stayed to the story, but there was some they left out. Have you read the books? Anyway, Who is Eddie Izzard?

    No offense to the British people but…….
    I really dislike british people and don't like Reep at all

  45. Praying Pevensie says:

    Reboot! Reboot! Reboot!

    Well, I have to ecmit that I can't wait for HHB and everything you said about that is soooo true, BUT Q. Susan. I really dislike them scripting our imagination. I love books so much that I have my own library in my room! BUT every book that I've already seen the movie is such a bust. Ya know what I mean?

  46. Praying Pevensie says:

    What?

  47. always narnian says:

    Well, LWW may have left some out, but PC and VODT left out 10x as much and added in 90% of their own story.
    Praying Pevensie, how can you just say "I don't like British people." isn't that a little harsh? Maybe you have a reason for not liking one or a few British people, but how can you just put them in one group and say "I don't like them." I'm thinking from a Christian perspective– everyone is made in God's image. It's sometimes hard, I know to sometimes overcome something like that because you may dislike one person.
    Dylan- I think I like the new Reep's voice better, mostly probably cause I like his character better in VODT. Reep in PC was not the chivalrous knight he was in the book.

  48. always narnian says:

    And, Praying Pevensie (trying to sound nice, it's hard to communicate when typing, you know what I mean?) C.S. Lewis was Irish/British and all the characters (Pevensies, Eustace, Jill, and even all the Narnians are descended from King Frank an Englishman–besides the Telmarines). Why then do you even like Narnia?

  49. Praying Pevensie says:

    ( We'll just say; bad experience. Or school )

    Anyway, I know that your right because I am a Christian, but sometimes….-never mind.
    C.S. Lewis was British, but I guess ( no help to my brother who acts like them 24/7 ) I just think that Ebgland is the home for Sissies. It's also hard when you live on a farm and have to actually manually work. I see british as just drinking tea and redcoats. -No offense to C.S. Lewis. I want to be a writer too. ( And a farmer! And a radio host! Maybe even a missionary! )

  50. WarriorOfNarnia says:

    http://www.narniafans.com/archives/12209

    This is new's worthy people!

  51. Dylan says:

    Ok, to say I dislike British people very much is prejudace and wrong. Praying Pevensie, there are ALOT of farmers in England. so dont hate Brits because they are lazy bums who sip tea all day. Heres another question, if you despise England so much, why read Narnia? Narnia's culture is based on Britain and Europe. Do you like the movies? Because if you do, what do you think the actors would think about you saying that? I can imagine they wouldnt be pleased. Just for the future, please dont say anything like that again on this site, Im sure there are many British people that go here.

  52. Dylan says:

    What does "ecmit" mean?

  53. Dylan says:

    Oh, and Eddie Izzard is an actor. And i kind of agree that Reeps voice sounded more knightly and chivalrous in VDT then PC.

  54. Praying Pevensie says:

    Oops! Sorry about that. I mean't admit. I hope I spelled it right there! = )

  55. Praying Pevensie says:

    Fine.

    I read Narnia because unlike some others, he was…..interesting. Even in the U.S. I don't care for some of our things either. I could sit here all day and say bad things about every country, but I won't cause why? Jesus never said to do things like that! We are really wrapped up in the Revolutionary war now too and that don't help. ( My siblings and friends are splitting! It's like another war! ) You can guess what side I'm on. My brother and his friends are on the other. Well, most of his friends. We have a battle this evening planned. ( if they show up) = )
    Never mind.

  56. Dylan says:

    What the hec??? What do you mean by "We are in a Revolutionary war" and then you were referiing to Brits as redcoats. The Revolutionary war ened 200 years ago, and since then Britain has been an allie of the US. And then the whole thing about you bro and his friends……?

  57. WarriorMaiden says:

    Sorry about the ambiguity. Thank you alwaysnarnian for clarifying that. 🙂 Will Poulter captured Eustace perfectly, and losing him would be the saddest thing about a transition to MN or a remake.

  58. Dylan says:

    You know all your above posts say ecmit?

  59. Dylan says:

    Oh and another thing, on narniaweb can we just stick to talking about narnia, not odd personal life issues.

  60. Praying Pevensie says:

    Sorry I guess it's a habit. Too bad I can't have my own blog. From now on: Narnia. Know any horse sites like this where you can comment?