The Next Narnia Film: Where We Are Now
For quite some time now, Narnia fans have been waiting patiently for news on whether or not there will be another Narnia movie. But in the past few days, many rumors and bits of news have started circulating over the internet and our forums–both that more films are actively being scripted and that work on the Narnia films has ceased entirely. We were hoping for an official statement before posting any more news on the situation, but now we feel that things need to be cleared up immediately.
During the negotiations between Fox, Walden, and the C.S. Lewis Estate, the film option that Walden Media owned was allowed to expire and Walden Media no longer has exclusive purchasing rights to any further Narnia films. (What’s the difference between a film option and the film rights? Check out Wikipedia’s article here.) This has been confirmed to us by representatives of the C.S. Lewis Estate.
And while Walden and Fox have confirmed they are both interested in making more Narnia films, our understanding is that, by law, the C.S. Lewis Estate must wait a certain period of time (called a moratorium) before they can sell the film option for the Narnia books again. And when they do, it will be available to any film company out there interested in bidding on it, not just Walden and Fox.
So what does this mean? It means that the ball is entirely in the C.S. Lewis Estate’s court at this point, and they have to wait this mandatory period of time until they can sell the film option again. We here at NarniaWeb don’t know exactly how long this moratorium is, though it is likely several years. What we do know, however, is that Doug Gresham has mentioned many times that it’s his dream to make all seven Narnia books into movies so he probably won’t rest until he’s done that. This is not the end of the Narnia movies! We’re only going to have to wait a while before we see another one.
YES!!!!! Finally. A Narnia movie update. I am at least so happy that this is not yet the end for Narnia movies. I really hope New Line Cinema and hopefully Peter Jackson will direct The Silver Chair and hopefully the rest of the Narnia movies! Peter Jackson is just such a GREAT movie director. He is very good at sticking to the books. 🙂 So, yes!!!! LONG LIVE ASLAN!!!!!!
Peter Jackson is great! I would love to see him do Narnia! And have Howard Shore do the music!
WHAT!!! NO!!!
Heck yeah!
John Williams would be the best choice for music 🙂
That would be AWESOME!!! 🙂
Awesome name!!!! I think weve found all the LOTR fans!
Ya that's a pretty sweet name! I love Eowyn. 😀
Dadflam it!
I wrote the first comment and some how it got off! Is there anyway it could have been deleted?
I think it was because a while ago when I was on I saw that it said 5 comments, then when i had to reset the stupid internet, I went back and it said 4, so I dont know.
ok. Well, darn. I always wanted to do that. = (
I know right. I have never been first commenter before.
Don't think of that too importantly,(if we have time) we dedicated fan's will read your post whether it's the 1st or the 400th!
Yeah, I guess it's just cool to be able to say"First comment!" Have you ever had that thrill?
I'm so sorry Praying Pevensie!!!! 🙁 🙁 I know, you did have the first comment! And I was supposed to have second! But I guess Narniaweb is just being a little strange…Cause I replied a couple other stuff on my own comment yesterday, and now they're gone. :/ Again, I'm so sorry!!!
Oh no!= {
Don't apologize for it! I'm very very, happy for you, and think that it's good you got that thrill. ( Why do I call it that?) I'm sorry that I made it and issue, and talked about it-sorry! =(
Oh no, you were rightfully to be first. So don't say you're sorry! But thanks for the congrats. 🙂 But, don't worry about it. Besides, it's not that big of a deal to be the first commenter! haha
Yay News!!!!!!!!!! That would be totally awesome of Peter Jackson directed it, although he hopefully wouldn't try to make it like LotR. I am totally a fan of LotR, but Narnia is a different world, it should be different.
I made a mistake, I LOVE lotr.
For me its like this, LOTR first, Narnia second, and then maybe Redwall. I want them to make a live action/cg mix movie for Redwall.
well i don't think peter jackson should direct the narnia films
To Dylan, they should definitly make a Redwall movie – it would be awesome. Even if the movie was nothing like the books it would at least bring the books more attention, so they would be more popular.
As for the subject of Narnia movies, a few years just seems like too long to wait. 🙁 But I'll grin and bear it because I love Narnia.
I love Redwall, the books are so good. And yes it would be great for them to make it into a movie cause it would something frash. we need another series other than HP, LOTR, or narnia.
I meant FRESH, lol.
What's Redwall?????
Just google it. Its a fantasy series written by Brian Jacques. they made a cartoon for it some time ago, and it was kind of little kidish.
The name rings a bell, and so I am thinking it's at my library…. Maybe. There are a LOT of books if indeed it is what I am thinking of.
Sounds interesting…I should look into it. (that is, if I ever get time to go to the library)
The Redwall series has like 20 something books in the series. That was before the author died in Feb of this year. Too bad that they wont have any other books. But yah, the books are listed as childrens books, but they each have like 60 chapters each so they are pretty big.
To be honest, I thought that Prince Caspian was like Narnia à la Peter Jackson. I didn't mind that treatment for PC, and it might work for HHB or LB, but I wouldn't want to see what he'd do with Silver Chair.
Yes, it was more of a mini LOTr in Narnia.
i just watched PC again last night .it seemed like the battling would never end. and the worst part- SUSAN: BRAAAAAAAACE YOURRRRSELLLLLLVVVESSSSS LOL
great part: bulgy bear- duh! for aslan! duh!
Jerk! Dont insult the bulgy bear lol! I must admit though "For Aslan" is one of my favorite quotes from that movie lol.
Peter Jackson is a great director,but he's busy making the hobbit.
Yes, I know, but hopefully afterwards! 😀
Awesome. Looks like most of us love the idea of Peter Jackson directing Narnia! 😀
I completely agree with you!! Peter Jackson is very good at doing sequels AND staying true to the book AND making it exciting!
😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 You rock Peter Jackson!!!!!
And I'm sorry if sometimes you see my name as Thee Narnian Meerkat and just plain Narnian Meerkat, I want my official name to be THEE Narnian Meerkat, so I have to remember to always add the "Thee" in my name before I post a comment…Is there a way to make your new name official???
Ever since I first went on the site, I just put my username and email, and every time i visit the site on my computer its always there, so idk.
Lol, all this time I thought there were two Narnian Meerkat's running around.
LOL I know I'm sorry! That's what I was afraid of!
Hm, okay I guess my other posts weren't gone…lol
I hope we don't have to wait two to three years for the next film.
Yes, certainly! That would just be way too long!!
If two to three years is how long the Estate has to wait before selling the movie rights again, we'll be waiting even longer for a movie. Add on another two years for the actual time it would take to make the movie.
It is sad to say it, but I dont think they will be able to use Poulter as Eustace again if it will take that long. I am so sad to here this news and relieved at the same time just to here some news.
Yes, I totally agree with you Dylan. At least we're not thinking, "Oh, when's the next Narnia movie? This is probably the end of them!" I'm glad they gave us a warning that it might be a loooong time before they make a Narnia movie.
Gee, I hope it won't take too long. I really want them to make more. :/ Why did they have to let the rights go bad?
Well, my guess is that's it, folks. What kind of an audience would they be able to bring in in five years? Maybe in 20 we'll get a satisfactory reeboot.
*reboot. Excuse me.
I couldn't stand a reboot. It might be fine it like 20 years, but not right now, it would be so weird to have a new LWW only like 8 years later. (Yes I know it has been 6)
This is pretty good news, actually, if they do end up making more movies…I'd like to see someone take a different vision to the films, closer to what Lewis intended. Different people in charge could be very happy. 🙂
My biggest concern is that the Lewis Estate doesnt want to give back the rights, but i may be wrong.
yeah, i hope the estate hasn't just decided these books can't be filmed properly. or there isn't enough interest in the later books. oh, if only adamson hadn't changed PC so much and got the church groups disgusted, disney would have had the series done by now.
What church groups got disgusted?
all the church groups that got together to support LWW were dismayed to see a big war movie out as the sequel, with questionable theology thrown in.
I totally agree!
I hope they have stopped making them. They kept getting further and further away from the books. I wish someone who had a passion for these books like Pete Jackson's passion for LOTR. I mean… The nickname for this series is CON… and that is exactly what they are.
Let me restate… someone who has the passion like Peter Jackson, not Peter Jackson, should make these movies. Peter isn't interested in Narnia, so it wouldn't work for him to make them.
ABSOLUTELY!!!
I dont know if Narnia would be his type of film.But I would absolutley love to seem him do these movies. The only reason I would accept a rebooted Narnia is if PJ directed them.
I'd like to see Adamson come back for HHB. I think he'd do a great job with that one. Don't think he would do well with any of the other three, though.
AA said befor he;d come back for MN
I'm so sad!!!!! That is so stupid! I was so hopeful!
You are so right! I cant agree more!! Please start filming soon!!!
I like the idea of Peter Jackson directing, but only if he loved the books. He was great with LotR because he deeply loved the books. We've had directors do both Narnia and Harry Potter films who knew precious little about the books; they just wanted the film on their resumes. As a result, both the third Narnian movie and the third HP movie were travesties that completely obliterated the spirit of the novels. I don't mind departures from the book – LWW had those – but you still have to keep faithful to the book's spirit. VDD was all doom and gloom, not anticipation and excitement. Given the lousy job done with it, I wd be quite happy never to see another Narnian film ever made. Douglas Gresham either had no influence or he sold out. I felt horribly betrayed.
Yes, they knew precious little about the books, but LWW and PC I think stayed to the spirit of the books, as opposed to gloomy old VDT.
I am SOOOOOO agreeing with you!
Adamson stayed true to the spirit of the stories, and Apted, oh, I dont want him doing anymore Narnia movies. No offense, but they went so far out to make the movie different then the book it ws kind of stupid. It was like he was trying to write his one story, with little elements and characters borowing from Narnia.
Mr Gresham had a lot more influence and success in making changes, than it seems to you. But I can understand your concerns.
Hmmm… as far as I am concerned, Gresham did not direct the movie, produce the movie,do the screenplay, write the script, act, edit, or compose the score, and it still turned out to be a horrible fail at an adaption. As far as I am concered, Mr. Gresham is a minor factor in the turn out of the movie.
If he had any influence and success, then I wd really hate to see what the movie was BEFORE he got the so-called changes made.
I still liked a lot of movie except the long seamonster battle and the green mist, that really isn't in the book. I wished they would have left that out. The BBC version is closer to the book- not that I like that one better. Aslan in the BBC is not good at all. LEt's hope and pray for the best and a short wait. I'm also glad to hear something, was wondering lately and my children keep asking when they can see the next Narnia movie
The green mist was a poor addition to a wonderful(in book and *some* of the movie) story.I wish they would have left it out too.
There actually was a seamonster in the book. Also they did sail into mist in the book as well. The mist didnt show up all the time in the book like it did in the movie though.
Oh I've read the book….MANY times;). The mist would of been fine, had it been off-white and ONLY in the one battle… and as far as the ENTIRE sea serpent battle scene goes…I personally liked it:)…(Just my opinion;)
Ya i agree but like i said in other comments i think they needed a constant evil in the movie. A temptation of some sort. However i agree with you because in the book im pretty sure they made the mist seem white. The seamonster was awesome and im glad they didnt show that it was actually Aslan because unless you read the books that would have been hard to explain. Well i think it would be. Maybe it would be too confusing to add in the movie. i dont know what do you think???
I think the entire scene would have come off wrong, ANYONE who had not read the book would NOT of known what to make of it."yeah,I saw that movie and the big sea battle is so weird! the sea serpent attacks the ship and then just lets go of it!". IT would have been basically impossible to get right ….just my thoughts.
Ya i agree with you =)
Whhhatttt? Aslan IS NOT the sea serpent!!! Where did you get THAT idea????
The book?
In the book I got the idea that Aslan was the sea serpant to help Eustace find courage. I would need to dig through the book to find the page but I remember something about this.
The book? Okay, I have the book right here beside me. I am going to put an excerpt from the book;
"The others were too exhausted to see what Lucy saw. There, a few yards behind them, the loop of Sea Serpent's body got rapidly smaller and disappeared into a splash. Lucy always said (but of course she was very excited at the moment, and it may have been only imagination) that she saw a look of idiotic satisfaction on the creature's face. What is certain is that it was a very stupid animal, for instead of pursuing the ship it turned it's head round and began nosing all along it's own body as if it expected to find the wreckage of the Dawn Treader there."
It clearly shows here, that the animal was dumb. Aslan's not dumb.
Another thing, whenever Aslan is portrayed as another character it is clearly defined–like the two lions in HB, and the cat in HB, the lamb in VODT, and the albatross in VODT–here is the part with the albatross—"But no one except Lucy knew that as it circled the mast it had whispered to her, "Courage, dear heart," and the voice, she felt sure, was Aslan's, and with the voice a delicious smell breathed in her face."
Aslan tells Shasta that he was the lions and the cats in HB—clearly defined.
When you are reading a story you can't just interpret it any way you want. If the others were clearly defined, why wouldn't the Sea Serpent?
Its just what i thought. I went back and read that page also but I still thought it was in the book somewhere…hmmmm. I see what you mean about it being clear but i thought Aslan would not want it to be clear in this situation. I will keep looking i swear it talks about it
no, aslan was the bird that flew down after lucy prayed- the albatross. it's an ancient symbol of christ cause it looks like a cross when it flies.
and the white stag they chased at the end of LWW is an ancient symbol of christ too.
Okay, I see. I read that book before I saw the movie and don't remember anything like that… So, um, yeah. If you find the part you were talking about let me know. 🙂
My appologies, I can humble myself and admit that i was wrong! i have been digging for this and doing alot of reseaerch and I have found the right answer. Aslan was not the sea monster. I have thought he was ever since i was a small boy and thats what i have beleived all these years. Like you said i assumed. So thank you for correcting me. Thats what i love about this sight, you can know alot about Narnia, and someone can always correct your mis information, awesome!
Aslan's Country! Thank you for being so humble about this. It's hard to admit that you're wrong, so thank you so much. I'm sorry if I seemed to jump on you, I usually try to be calm on these comments.
Again, I'm this way because I love the books so much and just want to see the story portrayed faithfully.
God Bless
Oh no worries i totally understand and i appreciate your passion. If i ever get anything wrong again please be the first to correct me. God bless you as well.
it's very refreshing to be at narniaweb, practically the only place on the web where people are courteous to each other. : )
I saw an update in my facebook news feed, and was excited. Now I'm kinda sad. By the time they make silver chair and the last battle, the actors will be too old. 🙁
For everyone that is upset about the actors being too old:
By the time the next film is produced (even though I totally agree in the case for Will Poulter because of continuity and simply because he is a brilliant actor for the role)you need not be sad.
Just think about it this way: If you all really want it to follow the book to every dot in the I and cross in the T, then you have what you are asking for. In the Last Battle, the Pevensie children are older, much older in fact, and by the time that flim comes around; Im sure that they would use the original cast instead of the older actors that where needed in the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe's last scene.
In my personal opinion I just think that all they need to do is prolong the agreement and work with Will Poulter before he gets too old. They should leave the Magician's Nephew for later (IF the rumors about the change in film order are true of course). Then if it takes a few years for the last batch, I don't see why it would be bad (obviously considering the facts in my prior paragraph).
I'm sorry, I meant that they wouldn't need to get a hold of the previous actors that where used in the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe's last scene of the older Pevensie's in Narnia before they returned to their world.
P.S.
In my personal and humble opinion, I dont think a reboot is necessary. Not everyone is fond of the idea, since some people (including myself) think Henley was adorable and perfect for Lucy. They can extened the rights for a little longer, since it is possible. I also believe that Poulter won't age that drastically; look at Ben Barnes, he played teen Caspian when he was in his late twenties. I conclude that a break to focus on the rest of the films, the order they will be produced, and which company will be purchasing the rights would actually be better. That way they stick to Lewis' vision of the book, keep the same actors, and make everyone happy. At least I think so…. and who knows, maybe that will give them more time to find more actors for the remaining films and attract viewers.
Barnes is Barnes and Poulter is Poulter. Barnes is unusually young-looking for his age, Poulter used to be, but not since his growth spurt. Not to mention, Caspian was not clearly defined as a pre-adolescent in the books.
It's brilliant news to find out that there will be another Narnia film, but the problem is the aggravating wait! How long will it be before another film is released? And how do we know that anybody will want to take up the task after the drop in popularity? Worse still is the idea, that if someone does make another Narnia film, it won't be done well because of lack of money! I'm very worried!
Drop in popularity? VDD grossed the same amount as Prince Caspian. Narnia still has a huge following, and if promoted and directed correctly, can put out huge movies.
I am betting the "moratorium" period can't really be that long of a wait – that is the only piece of information that doesn't have solid facts behind it in this posting. It is speculative. And with everything that is speculative, we have to be skeptic. I'm sure the Lewis Estate has options for moving forward in a reasonable time frame.
I just want official news….
Actually PC grossed more then VDT, but it doesnt matter.
Worldwide, PC and VDT grossed within 10-15 million of each other.
We've been told the moratorium period is a few years – how hard is it to believe the words of moderators who have information straight from the Estate?
Given that moderators on other sites that claim (like you) to have their information from the source are saying the exact opposite, it's actually very hard to take anyone at face value.
Uh – thanks. Sorry you've been burned by people on other sites.
"Worldwide" gross is an almost completely meaningless concept without context. International numbers are a FRACTION of domestic take for the studios. 'Prince Caspian' blew 'Dawn Treader' away, domestically, WITHOUT the benefit of the 3D premium, the oh-so-desired Christmas opening, and with MUCH stiffer competition. It lost much more money than 'Dawn Treader', but it also, unquestionably, grossed more, too. In the markets where the money is made, 'Dawn Treader' sank like a stone compared to the previous film. "Narnia" does NOT have a "huge" following. NOT cinematically, it doesn't. And that limited market is DEFINITELY shrinking. The first film was a cultural event that reached far, far beyond the core fanbase, the level of interest you will NEVER see for this franchise again. It had name recognition. The other books DO NOT. Every other adaptation in the series MUST stand on its own merit as a good FILM, and NOT rely on the Narnia brand name, because it is just not powerful enough to depend on by itself. The film franchise CAN succeed. But, NOT with a mediocre product like the last film.
And, that's why we are where we are right now…
Maybe you were implying this already, but I don't think it's enough for them to make a really good Narnia movie. They also need to market it as such. If the marketing is all "Narnia this!" and "Lion that!", good reviews, and positive audience response won't be enough to save the film. Not enough people will be interested enough to read the reviews, or show up.
The marketing should mention Narnia, but it should focus on the story and the characters.
I sort of agree with you, Anhun. In the sense that, as I've said so often, I just think the brand of "The Chronicles of Narnia" is next to useless. I mean, all of the problems the franchise faces now (if there IS a franchise at this point) are directly related to the staggering success of the first film. Every disastrous step since then has been predicated upon the belief that the popularity of 'Wardrobe' is an indication of the popularity of the SERIES. So, so wrong. People LOVE the first book. They KNOW the first book. Not only is the story perfect, it has a perfect TITLE. One that's both memorable, and magical. You NEVER forget it, and the feeling that it elicits within you, if you've read the book or (as happened to me as a child) had it read TO you. That title created so, so much buzz for the first film, and the anticipation was crazy. Then, they produced a film that most audiences loved, and that the majority of fans were satisfied with. I'm not saying it was luck, or the stars "aligned" for them, but the conditions for success were much better back then than they could ever possibly be again. The success created unrealistic, skewed, expectations of what "Narnia" meant, when it was really 'Wardrobe' people wanted.
Of course, Walden's solution to this dilemma, after their staggeringly reckless dispersal of a lot of very good money into the 'Prince Caspian' money pit, was to come to yet another bad decision: trying to "graft" elements of 'Wardrobe', that some committee reckoned people liked, onto 'Dawn Treader', as FOX did, subsequently, onto its marketing. Which, as I said leading up to the film's release, made them look shockingly desperate, more than anything else. Especially at a time when they critically needed to exude confidence. But, rather than treasuring the unique aspects of 'Dawn Treader', and exploiting them appropriately, they defaulted to the lazy approach of "How can we fool people into thinking this is 'Wardrobe III'?"
Marketing, I have to admit… I think it's like trying to construct accurate climate models. You can program a million variables and permutations into your model, but… you can never REALLY know the outcome. I think, in many ways, it's vastly overrated, and money that could otherwise be better spent. But, in other ways, it's also crucial. To me, it's more about getting the CORRECT message across once, instead of a confusing one across a million times. I remember when people were just CRYING for MONTHS about 'Caspian's' "poor marketing" and "awful release date", when, it still managed to finish in the top 15 films of 2008, domestically, and top 10, internationally. For an adaptation based on such an obscure children's book, that's not bad at all. But, there are still people who think "better marketing" could have brought in 'Wardrobe'-like numbers for 'Caspian'. That, I believe, is delusional, and it really loses the point that 'Caspian' simply cost too much money. There was NOTHING else wrong with it. We should have walked away from it saying: "That was a fine LITTLE film. I liked it well enough. Now, let's see the good stuff!". Of course, that was the problem: they made a reckless blockbuster out of a nice, little story that is almost an interlude, or narrative bridge, in the series. That decision (I think we all know why it was made, and I won't bother saying it) has, essentially, brought the franchise to its knees, if not its deathbed.
Anyway, if they ever go forward again, to me, a successful (in every way you wish to consider) Narnia film has this kind of "recipe"
1) Find talented people who LOVE the particular story in question, and WANT to make it come to life.
2) Take time to ascertain the heart and soul of the story–the core experience that readers have cherished for generations.
3) Formulate a plan to translate this core to the screen WITHOUT compromising either the source material, or the unique narrative and technical experiences that compromise the medium of film. Never forget what people love about the book, but always remember you're making a FILM.
4) Take time to plan. Good logistic planning costs a little bit of money up front, but saves MOUNTAINS of cash in the long run. No more $200 million abysses. Ever. But, spend the cash where it's necessary. I think 'Dawn Treader' was pretty good, in this regard. Well… almost EXCLUSIVELY in this regard.
5) NO FOCUS GROUPS!!! Let the filmmakers make their film. No Church groups, no anti-Church groups (or whatever–you get the gist). I'll also throw in: "No artistic decisions by anyone wearing a suit."
Number five may be asking for too much, but the other four are critical. The marketing, to me, would then sort of flow "organically". When you do good work that moves people, word gets out. THAT kind of marketing is priceless.
Our biggest weapon is still that we have a significant fan base. Not a staggeringly HUGE one. But, a significant, dedicated one. 'Dawn Treader' would have been a complete financial nightmare, if it were not for the Narnia fans who (somehow) managed to stomach paying to see it three, four, sometimes TEN times. The fanbase has done a great job of supporting the films, and of dragging people along with them to see them. The problem is, when you drag someone, they have to LIKE what they see, or it's a very fleeting impact.
So, that's a long way of saying that, yes, I agree that the focus of the marketing should be more on the STORY and less on the "brand". But, at the same time, they CANNOT produce something as awful as 'Dawn Treader' again and hope that ANY marketing can save it.
Everything starts with a good product.
they took a little book that is basically a little interlude and HAD to turn t into a blockbuster, becaue today's market demands it. no one would pay for its production otherwise.
There is NO WAY to justify the horrific cost of that film. Period.
I think most Narnia fans are way off-base in believing that the diminishing success of the franchise has to do with the quality of the PC and VOTDT. Those little nits (Suspian, green mist, etc.) were picked by purist fans of the books on sites like this one. The majority of the audience — namely, non-book purists, however, didn't even bother going to see PC and VOTDT, which is what the numbers actually reflect.
And the reason for that is what most of you refuse to see: Many people DIDN'T like TLTWATW! Most of those who I discussed the film with thought it was tepid, safe, geared at little kids, and plastic-looking. Readers of the book spoke of it as a poor adaptation of a great book, without characters or a world engaging enough to draw them back for a second film.
So, no, all the purists and church-groups in the world wasn't going to bring back the numbers for a film that general audiences found ok to mediocre.
That's not to say the ball wasn't dropped by the studios. PC was not as well marketed as it should've been, and was released during a period when other high-profile films were vying for the same age demographic. Fox did even worse, barely marketing the film at all. And in both cases, the purists were busy whinging over minor perceived flaws in the adaptations, which didn't exactly create a positive buzz for casual fans and non-readers.
From a purely financial perspective, this franchise needs (and will likely get) a reboot in a few years by a studio willing to put the time/money/effort into the kind of marketing that made Harry Potter successful. Many of the HP films are mediocre and serviceable at best, and far from satisfying as book adaptations, and yet they did well because of the heavy marketing and buzz created by the studios: TV ads, trailers, cast interviews on talk shows, marketing tie-ins, etc. It helped that the casting was near-perfect, and the actors and world were engaging (even if the scripts were poor in some cases).
Adamson was too inexperienced a director to kick off a major franchise with, and it shows in several decisions made in that production. Young-readers books can be sold to a wider demographic (e.g., The Hobbit) if handled right, and that's what's needed for a franchise to maintain an audience over the course of a decade. Children, church-groups and difficult-to-please book-purists are not enough. And to lock in a wider audience, a) the film has to be great, and b) the film has to saturate the market enough that most people know it's out there and are interested enough to see it.
i agree, the cost of PC was insane. but the market does demand blockbusters. that's why they are having a problem deciding what to do with this series. back in the days of the bbc adaptations, you could actually produce a heart warming, gentle story. today-no more.
@thesithempire: 'splain this to me Lucy. How do you have a generally hated movie that has really strong legs at the box office, and makes a killing in DVD sales?
The fact of the matter is that many people disliked it, and many people loved it. This is true of the majority of movies. I know quite a few people who became book fans AFTER LWW introduced them to the series.
@thesithempire:
"I think most Narnia fans are way off-base in believing that the diminishing success of the franchise has to do with the quality of the PC and VOTDT."
That's such a vague, ill-defined thesis. Are you saying that "most Narnia fans believe…"?, or that the ones who do are incorrect in citing "quality"? Do you believe the problem is quality AND lack of "marketing", or just lack of "marketing"? I can't tell from that sentence. "Most Narnia fans" at THIS site are good-hearted, positive people, delighted just to HAVE the films, and don't spend that much time over-analyzing their "diminishing success". And, the ones who DO critique the franchise, like myself, don't necessarily cite "lack of quality", in every case, as the reason for its current woeful state.
To begin with, I, for one, do not automatically correlate diminishing box office numbers with diminishing "success". It's all in how one approaches it. If one's expectations are that each succeeding adaptation of the series should have the same box office numbers as 'Wardrobe', then, yes, the inevitable conclusion is that the franchise is becoming "less successful". That premise, however (that all of the adaptations should have an equal appeal to 'Wardrobe') is a COMPLETELY flawed, and DANGEROUS notion, and it will (and HAS) led this franchise to disaster. None of the other six books are a part of the cultural fabric of western society, like 'Wardrobe' is. Their adaptations will NEVER have that same level of appeal as the first film. No amount of marketing money, or perceived "quality" will EVER bridge that box office gap COMPLETELY. But, if the producers evaluate each book on its OWN MERIT, and budget ACCORDINGLY for it, then they can still have RELATIVE success by making the best possible film adaptation for THAT book. For example:
'Prince Caspian' was a QUALITY film. It is, by far, the best film, technically, of the three. It was also a (comparatively) fantastic adaptation of the (in my opinion) creative low-point of the Chronicles. It was, to me, a pretty… staid… book that got translated into a very passably entertaining film. Did I have problems with the film? Sure. I had problems with both of Adamson's films. But, they are so small, in relation to the bigger picture, that they are, for the most part, easy to live with. Walden made two very, very good adaptations from two incredibly difficult-to-adapt books. And BOTH of them did FANTASTIC numbers at the box office–RELATIVE TO WHAT THEIR EXPECTATIONS SHOULD HAVE BEEN. 'Caspian' was a failure, NOT for how it "performed", but for what it COST. They made the right film, it DID find its audience, but it just cost an OBSCENE amount of money. So, "quality" wasn't a problem with its failure. Delusional expectations WERE! It SHOULD have been "successful". Its perceived failure wasn't the "film's" fault. There was no deficiency of "quality" in the production. Only of REASON.
'Dawn Treader' is a COMPLETELY different kettle of fish. THIS time, they gave their heads a collective shake, and alotted the film an APPROPRIATE budget… but made a collossal STINKER, mostly out of morbid fear of doing ANYTHING even REMOTELY risk-taking, lest they kill the goose that laid the golden egg. Instead, they simply bypassed the goose, and laid the egg themselves. In this case, they got everything logistically correct… but they forgot to make a good film. Now, you can call it "nits", or whatever you wish, but that film is TERRIBLE! Not just "disappointing", but TERRIBLE! I LOVED 'Wardrobe' and LIKED 'Caspian' a lot. But, I could still cite a LOT of problems I had with both films. But, I don't CARE about those problems, ultimately. I am not a professional nitpicker. I'm not LOOKING to find flaws in something for the sake of typing this stuff over and over again. Those films, were imperfect, but most films are. Still, I mostly loved them, and, as I said, can easily live with the overall result. So, when I say that 'Dawn Treader' was TERRIBLE, it's not as an angst-ridden fanboy crying on the internet. It's as a) someone who knows a little about film, and can judge the product objectively in that regard, and b) as someone who loves the books, but understands that some accommodations must be made for a manageable cinematic adaptation. It's am EMBARRASSING interpretation of a wondrous story, AND a very mediocre product of the cinema. If I'm overly emphatic in stating my dislike for it, it's NOT to "whinge". It's sincere regret for how Walden blew such a tremendous opportunity. When backed into a corner, one can either come out swinging, or cover up and hope for the best. They chose the latter option, the path of least resistance, and made a "safe" kiddie movie. A nice-looking kiddie movie, thanks to the cinematography of Dante Spinotti (which ALSO got butchered, thanks to the further atrocious 3D "conversion" process), but a kiddie movie, regardless. So "quality", in my opinion, IS an issue here. Not so much technically (I think they mostly received value for their money, despite some less than perfect composite shots), but in terms of both writing and direction. The script ignored the wonder and nobility of the story, and Apted's complete indifference to improving it was the final nail in the coffin.
'Dawn Treader' lost less money. That was an improvement. A better film (an even half-decent adaptation) would have won more people over, and could have made it RELATIVELY successful.
"And the reason for that is what most of you refuse to see: Many people DIDN’T like TLTWATW!…most of those who I discussed the film with thought it was tepid, safe, geared at little kids, and plastic-looking. Readers of the book spoke of it as a poor adaptation of a great book, without characters or a world engaging enough to draw them back for a second film."
That, I am afraid, would be a skewed sample, based on your circle of acquaintance. It may be accurate to your experience, but it is, of course, not a representation of the real world. The ticket-buying audience of the cinema. I have a friend like that. She hated the film because "It didn't look like a real English wood. Where were the oak trees?". Subsequently, she refers to Mr. Adamson only as "That Kiwi". I love her dearly, but, in this regard, she cannot be reasoned with, and would only have been happy with the film if SHE had made it to match the precise imagery of her long-held perceptions of the material. Your assertion is simply one way of saying: "You can't please everyone." That is NOT a way of saying: "Many people DIDN’T like TLTWATW!" equates a "statistically significant" number.
"From a purely financial perspective, this franchise needs (and will likely get) a reboot in a few years…"
"From a purely financial perspective", any studio executives who would risk a MINIMUM of half a billion dollars to reboot just these THREE films from a relatively obscure film franchise so soon into their release history, should be placed, gently, into a padded room. Let me ask you this: would you risk YOUR money on such a horrifically tenuous endeavour? No, I thought not. Everyone here is in such a rush to spend other people's money, because they know better. Good luck with that.
"Many of the HP films are mediocre and serviceable at best, and far from satisfying as book adaptations, and yet they did well because of the heavy marketing and buzz created by the studios: TV ads, trailers, cast interviews on talk shows, marketing tie-ins, etc. It helped that the casting was near-perfect, and the actors and world were engaging (even if the scripts were poor in some cases)."
Do not even START comparing 'Harry Potter' to 'Narnia'. That's a joke. The Potter books have been saturated throughout the public school systems by Scholastic for thirteen years. They are ingrained into modern youth culture in a way that 'Narnia' MAY have been. Once. Long, long ago. They are also secular in nature, and MUCH more easily "packaged". And, before you say how "Church groups" oppose Harry Potter, "Christianity", sadly, scares MANY more people in the world today than the things in the Potter books that many faith-based groups decry. The rabid appeal of Potter among children, adolescents, and young adults negates any real need to "market" them. You only need to "market" one thing to them: "WHEN DOES IT OPEN???".
"Adamson was too inexperienced a director to kick off a major franchise with, and it shows in several decisions made in that production."
As opposed to Michael Apted's 800 years of experience in filmmaking that led to that colossal pile of "meh" that was 'Dawn Treader'.
Adamson's "inexperience", by the way, led to the second-biggest film of 2005. It finished just AHEAD of a Harry Potter movie, and behind a little independent film from George Lucas called: "Star Wars: Episode III", which I would assume you're familiar with. Yeah. That's a terrible way to kick off a franchise. "Major" is extremely debatable, by the way. "Major" adaptation, certainly. "Franchise"? Not so much. That's my point.
"And to lock in a wider audience, a) the film has to be great"
Finally, something I agree with.
"and b) the film has to saturate the market enough that most people know it’s out there and are interested enough to see it."
And, what more can they have done for these films "marketing" wise? They all have opened on thousands of screens, been plastered all over the television, the cast has been interviewed everywhere, there was a gigantic marquee at Cannes for 'Dawn Treader', and they have reached out to faith-based groups. Maybe the last one (from some reports) has fallen off a bit, but, from what you've said, I assume you'd LIKE that. So many people scream: "more marketing!", but do you really want them to spend even MORE money on something so nebulous, and make the films even MORE financially risky? I sure don't. The best way to market "Narnia" films is to make a good product, drag everyone you can to it, and hope the word of mouth spreads.
for many of today's hardcore moviegoers-mostly male teens, LWW was simply too gentle. whereas VDT was simply childish.
Why does EVERYONE want Peter Jackson to direct? Why? Yeah, he did a wonderful job with the Lotr book, but if he did a Narnia movie and if Howard Shore composed the music, it would be a cheap spin-off of the Lotr movies. No, P.J. should stick to Tolkien and not Lewis. Adamson was great on the first movie, and pretty good on the second. What is wrong with him? And Harry Gregson-Williams created a beautiful score for the movies. What is wrong with him? Now, if all the lotr fans are complaining about Michael Apted's directing, feel free to continue.
Bring back Adamson!!! I think hes the answer for this series! WarriorofNarnia, its not that I would specifically want him to direct it, its that if he decided to direct it i would enjoy the movies alot. Harry Gregson Williams is an amazing composer, and i loved his score for LWW and PC, but VDT seemed like it was trying to be too overly magical.
As I recall, Adamson loved the books, which wd explain why LWW and PC were relatively true to the spirit. However, I thought he was tired after those two and wanted to move on. (Although PJ was eventually convinced to do Hobbit, so maybe AA cd be convinced to go back to Narnia.) I'm also with you about Harry Gregson-Wms. Very good composer. David Arnold is fine for James Bond movies, but he doesn't have the emotional depth required for Narnia. Funny how you said VDT was trying to be too magical with the score, considering how in overall effect, the film was anything but magical.
Trust me, if you listen to the Dawn Treader main theme they play during the whole movie, and then watch the scene with Lucy seeing the snow, it seemed SO goofy and stupid. It seemed like the whole thing was trying to be so magical it was cheesy.
Oh, I'm totally with you. I just meant it was ironic. Although actually since I saw the film once, I don't even remember the theme. (Instead I went back to see Tron again, which sadly had more Christianity than VDT.)
I loved the soundtrack for LWW… "Wunderkind" is one of my favorite soundtrack songs ever!
So its sad that VDT and Tron had Christianity in it?
Dylan, I am so agreeing with you on the Lucy/snow scene. I really really very strongly dislike the music! Oh, I cringe every time I see or hear it!
Oh, and then she has that stupid smile! I cant stand it, every time i see that scene i think in my head "Lucy looks like she has serious gas" lol.
Dylan, no, it's sad that a movie based on a Christian book had less Christianity than a completely secular movie.
I never saw Tron so I wouldnt know. I guess that is sad in a way.
Hey Dylan, you say the Voyage music sounded magical? Well no duh it does, Narnia is a land of magic. I personaly like the music from the Voyage. Think about that stupid Reepicheep theme in PC compared to in Voyage. No comparison.
Wow. I said it was the music was trying to be magical. Of course Narnia is a mgaical land, my point is, they could have done better.
Ya the music is what we are talking about. And as far as lucy's face, go watch LWW when Lucy enters Narnia and its snowing, SAME FACE. I dont think they could of done better, you guys say its cheesy. Well guess what, Narnia are childrens books so if you want blood and something not cheesy go watch LOTR or something. To say a childrens story is cheesy is calling ice cream cold. come on now.
@ Jeanette, Could you please explain where the Christianity was in TRON? I just saw it recently and don't remember there being any Christianity in it.
Yes, but she was 7 in LWW, and in VDT she was 14. I have never seen a 14 yr old smile so goofy. I want to ask you this, did you find PC and LWW cheesy? Because they are childrens stories, and as far as I can tell, they werent that bad.
Same actor, same faces. Like i said watch the scene when Lucy finds Narnia for the first time and watch her smile then to. You didnt say anything about that im sure. If you are saying they should get rid of Gorgie Henley (Lucy) you are crazy because as far as im concerned she brings the story to life with her acting. You may see her with a cheesy smile and thats all you see. A true Narnian fan feels the magic in that scene and doesnt judge Narnia (VDT) off of a single smile. That movie is amazing and if anyone has something bad to say about it i would love to hear why?
Aslan's Country!, relax. I just said one thing, its not like i hated her acting. and she was perfect for the charqacter of Lucy. when I think of the movies and the character that defined it, VDT was eustace and Poulters amazing performance, and LWW was Lucy. She is a really good actor, and it was only a minor thing that I noticed, no big deal.
I agree with you, and I am relaxed just voicing my opinion chap.
Don't toss terms like "true fan" around. It's arrogant and condescending. And your hostility is not appreciated. No one was being sarcastic or nasty in response to your comments.
Well saying its goofy ans cheesy is condesending. so? I will say something.
Aslans Country, you may say that you were relaxed, but re read you above comments.
you go ballistic about the goofy smile thing. Then to add on to it, you think i am degrading the performance of the acter because of one minor scene. Come on now!
Narnia is very personal for me and unlike many of you its my number one over LOTR and others. Sorry for taking it so personal but thats exactly what it is for me. If you guys wanna bag on Narnia go do it on another site because this is Narniaweb not LOTRweb. There are alot of other HP fans and LOTR fans that already bag on Narnia so if you want to do that go find their sites and do it but if you do it here things will be said. Dont voice your negative opinion on narnia on a Narnia fan website and expect us to sit and say nothing. If you want to talk about how amazing Narnia is im all for it.
Dude, I dont hate Narnia at all.I like the books alot and the movies, well, there so-so. The first one was exceptional, the second was done well as well, and the third was not my favorite okay. Im not bagging on Narnia, why else would I be on Narniaweb (do discuss,of all things, Narnia). I dont think that if I were a huge LOTR fan who hates Narnia Id even waste my time on this site.
No, saying something is goofy is not condescending. It's called an opinion. Contrary to *your* opinion, you are not the sole arbiter of what opinions are allowed to be expressed on this site or within the Narnia fandom. You do not own the site and you do not have any authority on it. You do not have the right to tell others they cannot express their opinions. If you disagree with that, you may start your own site were only people who fall in lockstep with your opinions are allowed to post.
I never said I had the right to anything? so calm down jadis. Saying its goofy is negative no matter how you look at it. We all are voicing our opinions and im not mad at all really. So lets just agree to disagree, you guys can go talk about how "goofy" narnia is, and I will talk about how ungoofy it is.
i agree dylan. that goofy grin is extremely poor acting, as were a few other parts in the film, it annnoys me too, as does when they do a closeup on lucy's bulging eyeballs, when looking at the painting= yes, it's very narnian looking- terrible acting and directing. the music is way too flaccid, and childish with the twinkly noises, this was for the whole family, not kindergardeners.
Im absolutely fione with the scene when she first enters Narnia, and she has this giant grin on. Because, first off, she has just seen a new world nobody knows about except for her at the time being, as opposed to in VDT "Oh my gosh,I just saw snow, how magical!" Give me a break. At least she had an excuse for grinning like the Cheshire cat in LWW. Onother thing Aslans Coyuntry, your acting like what im saying is compltely against anything and everyhting Narnian. I am voicing my opion, and you can agree or disagree. The point is, it is just too petty of a subject to take way to personally.
Another thing Aslans country, you keep aying that you are perfectly calm and collected, when you jumped all over me for the Lucy comment. Just for the time being, can we please keep it calm and not freak out at each other?
I already told you Dylan i cant help but take it personal because thats what it is for me! But honestly im fine now ive voiced my opinion and you know where i stand. All of us love the books and thats what really matters. I think we can all agree that everything in the books are awesome. LONG LIVE NARNIA!
Yah, the books are pretty awesome.
I don't want to be rude, everyone, but I think we need to try and sound as nice and mature as we can over these comments because you can't tell the way someone is saying something, and that can get really out of hand. The communication needs to be done very carefully over comments because we can't understand eachothers tones.
The things about us "being negative about Narnia" is not entirely true. We are simply let down with the movies because our great love for the books. It's hard to see something you cherish greatly turned into something "just like every other movie." The thing about Narnia is it lost the innocence, the charm, the allegory, and the very in-depth characters Narnia had.
jmr7 I totaly agree with you. There was alot christianity in VDT too. Aslan even says, " In your world you may know me as another name." Obviously he is talking about god. There are a few more things like this in the movie as well.
Yes, Aslan says that line. But, unfortunately, the writers butchered so much of the rest of the scene that the "that you may know me by another name" line majorly lost it's real meaning. For me, the way the scene played out, it sounded like it could have just as well meant any other religion – not necessarily pointing directly to Jesus the way Lewis intended.
Well I think that if you know Narnia you know the meaning behind this saying? and what do you prefer? Aslan showing up as a lamb first like in the book? I think they did a good job.
Aslan's country!:I agree with you.The point seemed clear to me.BTW I think the last scene was BEAUTIFULLY done…(AHH… that beach);)
Thanks Avra! Im glad you agree with me. =)
I hope they don't re-sell to Walden. Walden had their chance and were getting progressively worse in their productions. (I'm sorry, but the VDT movie was only 30% true to the original book, and that's pathetic). Sell the rights to a company that is worthy of the product and dedicated to staying true to the these amazing books!
Well there's the sequel to that article that I wanted, but it's not the ending I had hoped for
Well I didn't mean to reply to your comment Ma… On the bright side if it takes another 5 years, and they continue the series rather than rebooting it, than they can use the original kids to play their adult selves in Horse and His Boy, but Idk who they'd get to play them in Last Battle. 🙁 I guess the best option will probably be a reboot *sigh*
I hope they don't reboot, that would start the waiting all over again.
Nice picture! = )
What is it?
walden had a book-like script, the estate rejected it. told them to come up with one "more exciting".
That was fine for PC (adding excitement I mean…I think it turned out very well accept for the susan/caspian romance bit)*maybe* because they did not add some absolutely new plot line (which was quite lacking)like in VDT. The winning part for me in VDT was Will and Skandar's acting please don't be mad at me when I say this(Narnia IS my favorite movie series)but georgie seemed like she'd been coached a little too much and it had made her a somewhat self-conscious NOT horrid mind you just a little off (just my opinion)I wish the acting coach would lay off the whole imagine yourself saying *whatever* stuff.She did NOT need any coaching she was a PERFECT actress in LWW and PC(Just a side note,I think she will be fine in the future Narnia(crosses-finger's) films.It's a hard transitioning place to be in(girl to young lady) but in time she'll be fine.)
i felt georgie really just lost her natural touch, and strangely enough, skandar did too, after he was so awesome in PC. They must have both felt insecure with a new director and so few takes allowed. ben was noticeably smoother, lucky for him his first big role in PC was of someone insecure he played it just fine in PC and was even better inVDT. I thought will was way too over the top and didn't match the tone of the others, more like a broad comedy film. they said they had toned him down. not enough, i think. I just watched it again today, maybe my 6=7 th time, it gets better as you get used to it. it's better when the book is not fresh in your mind, too.
Avra, I read a review that said they felt the directors were trying to make Georgie act exactly the way she did in LWW, which would be completely weird and unnatural for a teenager. I think the reviewer was right on the money. In the movie PC, she was a bit older than she was in LWW, and she acted slightly more mature. It worked. In VDT, she should have been even more so. Instead, she was grinning and carrying on like an 8-year-old. I still think she managed to produce some believable, even touching moments, like the scene on the beach, but the movie as a whole was clearly a struggle for her.
You are so right, they tried to make her act like she was 7. Thats what i didnt like about the movie they could have made her more mature then she was.
Well, whatever they did they best not do it again the result's where not the best.Although I agree, she did somehow manage to get a few very well done scenes in. Bless her for trying to act with people around her doing too much coaching.Like I said she will be fine…cannot wait for guest appearances!!!;)
yes, certain scenes felt like she was forced to act too childish. the snow falling spell scene was too fake and staged- "hey look, remember the magic of LWW?" she was good on the beach though.
We do know that Walden came up with a very NON-book script which was rejected by the estate. Not sure about a book-script.
one article said walden came up with a script exactly like the book and THE ESTATE rejected it as not exciting enogh. after which walden threw in all the forced action. i thought the sea serpent fight would never end. it was 20 min long.
i believe the way it works is, the estate is the emloyer. the studio is the employee. the estate says what they want done, the studio tries to carry it out. the studio can suggest it should be done a certain way, and must get approval. the estate tries to respect the artist's (director's) vision of what will accomplish the best result. the estate, having little technical knowledge, defers to the studio and director.
for some reason it always takes forever for a sequel to be released for the narnia franchise. why cant they just keep on pushing them into theaters year after year like with the harry potter movies….
I think that is a very important question and i've been asking myself the same many many times. I don't know if you are christian (I am) but if you are, you have to consider that the Chronicles of Narnia are books with very strong themes about the live as a christians and themes from the bible.. so It's no miracle that in a world where satan rules (for the time being) of course, there is much more fight (in the invisible world) that clearly influences ours, about a christian movie than a film about wizards and magic. I think, this is the answer to this question. blessings from switzerland
I agree with you. Plus im sure you guys noticed they made the movies alot darker than the books are so far.
Yes, i have noticed it, and I like it that way.
PC felt dark(NOT as dark as the movie mind you)in the book,but I must agree VDT felt darker than the book in a lot of areas,thanks to the added plot.
i think you are right on the money, dark forces will fight to stop narnia.
The only reason i like it dark is because it sets a more realistic feeling tone then say a happy go lucky " Oh, we are off to fight the Telmarines today, wish me luck honey".
I agree with you Dylan. Also the movies would not be as good of a story without the strong evil presence. Like in LWW what made it so good to me was it felt like a comeback story for the narnians. Jadis had power over the land for 100 years and then the time came to strike back! So awesome!
That swhat I loved about LWW so much, that epic struggle for power between Jadis and the Narnians. PC was great, but LWW had that real sense of a this is it feel.
I am a Christian as well and I agree with you. However, I doubt that is the only reason.
You also have to consider the following…
Harry Potter is a modern book series and is more popular right now and a lot more people have actually read the entire series. So, it's natural for people to want to make Harry Potter films right away. Harry Potter also fits well with the other kinds of films we have right now.
Narnia doesn't fit that "mold". That's why PC and VDT probably felt weird to a lot of us. They tried to fit it into the dark and "realistic" mold that most live action movies go for right now.
And just because something isn't "dark", doesn't mean it's unrealistic. I believe it comes down to implementation. I've noticed how the past ten years or so movies have really changed, in a bad way. There is so much "darkness" in movies today. THAT to me is more unrealistic than a film that does not have a dark tone. Because it depicts a world that is without God's goodness working in it.
I'm not saying dark movies don't feel unrealistic or that they're all bad. I'm just saying that darkness is not necessary for a movie to be a good movie. 😉
yes, movies are so dark now i barely watch new ones. which is why i think they should have kept these narnia movies true and marketed them to christians. you dont have a huge fan base of dark hearts wanting cs lewis material. its too old fashioned for them and these times.
I can't wait for them to make another Narnia movie. I don't really care which one they do next, just as long as they do another one. On second thought, I would care if they did Last Battle next. That would be just wrong.
Well, I guess that settles it. If there will be a movie, it will probably have to wait several years anyhow.
I'm actually happy, just knowing that they haven't really "pulled the plug", so to speak.
at least we have 3 films to watch, imjust glad to have all the pevensie books filmed, that was my main concern.
I was just on here this morning I come back and BOOM!
I was shocked to see something different one the home page!
Waiting for that next film!
Hmm, this isn't exactly good news, but it isn't exactly bad news either. Not too happy that we have to wait so long, but at the same time, at least they're still planning on doing them. I just hope that whoever picks up the series again a) finds a way to redeem the movies, b) stays true to the books, and c) maintains a sense of continuity (as in making them seem like they are all a part of the same series). Not to mention makes a good movie. Well, I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
yea, i didnt like how vdt had been filmed with different film and looked lighter. seemed like it didn't match the others. that was kind of dumb. and the opening titiles should have had the same lettering as the first two.
To me, Douglas Gresham has done a fantastic job helping out the directors. He always fought to get Lewis's true message into all the movies, and I agree with the article that he definitely wants the movies made, and made right. For that, he's my hero! I can be patient, even though if the moratorium is too long it could mean a new Eustace (He's really the only one we have to worry about, cos if they do MN next that will take a whole new cast and he's really the only returning character in SC.), I think it will be worth the wait for a company to buy the rights and really run with this franchise and make it great.
They're waiting so long between movies, by the time they get to "Silver Chair" Ben Barnes will be aged enough to play an old Caspian without any makeup or special effects. I'm being sarcastic. 😉
@ Sword of Excalibur: LOL 😀
Oops, I meant Secrets of Excalibur 😀
Anyways, that was funny, what you said about Caspian!
Finally were getting some news on another Narnia movie. I thought for a moment there that the whole franchise had been died; but now that it's in the hands of the C.S. Lewis Estate there is going to be another movie for sure I think. Because let's face it the C.S. Lewis Estate isn't going to kill the Narnia movie franchise. Now we just have to wait and see weather that next movie will be The Magician's Nephew, or The Silver Chair, and hope to God that it'll be in the hands of a good filmakers like Peter Jackson, because that's what the Narnia franchise needs, and NOT filmakers like Micheal Apted. Because when it comes down to it, that's what will make the rest of this series successful, is by putting it in the hands of the right filmakers. And I'm sure the studios will be willing to produce more Narnia movies, if like I said put in the hands of the right filmakers. This waiting process may be long but I have a feeling things will turn out for the better for us Narnia fans.
Wow. I guess that was it then. I never thought I'd say this, but it seems that the reboot is our only chance to get to see another Narnia film. Maybe in twenty years? I wonder what went wrong in the negotiations between Walden and Fox..
I almost want to puke with anxiety. I mean really, they've done three why not four more? Now I'm thinking, even to do MN next would be fine.
At the beginning of all the waiting and grinding teeth and crossing fingers and arguing, I was dead certain that they needed to do SC next. But now that it seems like it will be five or seven years from now, there's almost no point to whatever they do next.
Why can't another corporation just pick the Narnia gig just because. Why must we /always/ be looking ahead and over our shoulder?
JUST DO IT!!!!!!!!!! Waiting will make everyone bored….
(won't it?)
We the fans are looking at this from a different perspective. We want the next movie, NOW! I dont think we even care what production studio or if its Fox or disney or any of that, we want it NOW. They, want whatever is in the best interest for them to get more money. The last movie wasnt so great, so Walden might be a little cautious as to if they want to continue the series or not. We need to look at it with a different perspective right now.
Okay. I'm still shocked that it appears that no one wants to do this.
It's not that I want to movie NOW, it's that I REALLY want Will Poulter to be Eustace again. (can I stress my point further?) I think that he nailed the personality on the head and is a brilliant actor who needs more screen time and recognition. (Maybe I'm just weird)
Couldnt agree with you more. Poulter's performance as Eusatce was phenomanal. I agree with you that Poulter will be too old if they dont start now.
What's wrong with VDT??? If anything i think narnia fans would be upset with PC seeing as how that was the most far off movie yet. Of course they got LWW perfect! In my opinion they have done VDT very well.
Really? PC actually had the same idea and goal as the book. VDT's goal and purpose of the whole film was to get the swords to the table, and then defeat the green mist. Now, can you tell me one part of the book were that all happened. At least PC was portraying the books goal and purpose, to defeat the Telmarines and all that. They actually didnt get as far off as VDT.
First off they added the green mist because it was like the devil (adversary) to give it a more cristian feel. I beleive C.S. Lewis would agree with that and in the book they were searching for the lost lords and they did that in the movie that was the whole plot. If you want to compare things they added when in the PC di they attack the castle? and why did the trees attack the battlefield when really it was ivy that went to the classroom? They both added things but at least VDT added something to go along with cristianity which is what the books are all about.
I have to disagree. VDT has a dual theme. It's first introduced theme is the longing and hope for Aslan's Country. The second theme is each character's growth in faith, though especially more so in Eustace's character since the book features his transformation as well.
The search for the lost Lords is more of a plot point that provides a reason for the voyage and a continual forward momentum. As my film profs. are teaching me at the moment, this is "plot" not "theme". The former is HOW the story is going to be told. The latter is WHAT the film's message is.
I agree with you, however that was not even part of the argument? so lets say finding the lords (which is why the whole voyage began) is a "theme". that doesnt much add to existing argument. just saying
I agree with dylan that in PC at least the themes (not the plotline) were kept quite true to the book: The themes of needing Aslan, trust Aslan although he doesn't show himself to the pevensies, the truth and fact that without Aslan, the narnians would have lost against telmar and the theme of listening to the holy spirit (Lucy is a clear symbol for that): She's the one, who sees Aslan, who trusts him although her siblings don't believe her and she's the one, who loves Aslan more than anything. Those themes clearly came through in the movie and you cannnot say the same thing with VDT. Maybe the plot was closer to the book than PC but the themes of longing for Aslan's country and the joy for adventure, Eustace's change he goes through and that Aslan has to change him, but also that without Aslan's help they wouldn't have made it did not come through in VDT. They even turned it completely: Suddenly, there is a save-the-world-story and an "epic" battle against the green mist storyline and they didn't make these changes to put more christianity in it but because they didn't think that the book itself is a real story and people wouldn't like it because there always has to be battle good vs. evil, if not it's not a good story (that's the opinion of holliwood)
the temptaition, in my opinion was very good and I liked that they added this but people are not so stupid so that if there is temptation you always need to have green mist on the screen. People get it easily without it..
Thank you!
I would have to say that I liked VDT as a movie (CGI – great, acting – great, plot – easy to follow). But I liked the feel behind PC and LWW better than VDT. Something about VDT wasn't as "magical" in a sense of "This is Narnia, and I love Narnia". With VDT I didn't feel like I was in Narnia, unlike the first two.
I'm not really sure how to describe this any better. I know when I say that PC and LWW seem to be more "magical" you all start thinking "Well, VDT was clogged with magic. Why do you say that?" With PC and LWW I got this feeling of Aslan watching over everything and always being in control. Whereas with VDT, it seemed like Caspian, Ed, and Lucy were the "new rulers" of Narnia. And that Aslan, sort of, wasn't in the picture at all except to say "Time's up. Get going!"
I guess I just liked that Aslan was (is) in control more. And whenever he showed up everyone was like "Oh thank goodness". Which was completely different in VDT where it was like "Oh, good friend. Hello and goodbye, because we have to leave now after just saving the world".
If any of you can understand that, GREAT! If not, I need to work on my communication skills! — sorry! 😀
Trust me, your communication skills are perfectly fine. VDt tried to show that Aslan was in control (eg. Lucy and the spells) but it wasnt like you felt like he was there. I think they defintaly could have set the tone differently.
I'm going to jump right in and voice my opinion. Let's face it. VDT just didnt have the same feel as the other two. I didn't think:"Oh, this is my Narnia!" I thought:"Oh, they could've done better."
Narnia-Fan1, what do you think temptation is? In other words it’s the adversary which is evil being in the "good vs. evil" idea, which is in Christianity. In VDT whenever temptation came near you heard Aslan's voice. But in Christianity we don’t always have "signs" or "voices" like it does very strongly in the first two movies. Christianity is having faith and i think this movie is what they were trying to show. Even in the movie you heard Lucy say, “You just need to have faith about these kinds of things."
When I first saw VDT, I didn't feel like "This is my Narnia"….I attribute this to a few thing's:1)Not the best of screenplay.2)Different director.3)Different score.4)AND not to be smart but…you're never in Narnia…"This is home" won't ring through my head because I'm not.That is a very difficult feat to overcome.Jumping island to island and keeping the cohesiveness.
yeah, i felt like this was an imposter movie- not really in narnia, the film color wasnt technicolor and diin't match, the first two movies, the color quality of the film was more natural, not fairytale like- that is why you didn't feel like you were in narnia. wimpier music, georgie and skandar TRYing to act, instead of BEING the characters. caspian looking like a totally different person. white skin, no eyeliner, straight, thin , flat hair. should have kept him looking the same, at least. the beach scene was the only time i felt like it was narnia. and when the illustrations from the book came on, i felt like, what the heck, this is an insult, this movie was nothing like the book. it actually disturbed me.
let me correct my punctuation. the first 2 movies looked more fairytale-ish, fantasylike because they were colorful technicolor films. vdt was fujifilm, more realistic everyday real looking. plus they chose to make it look more bleached out. contrast that with the color of prince caspian, more rich, cartoony colors. that super color saturated look of the first two films made it feel more otherworldly. they should have shot vdt with the same look to match, not use a look like you'd use for a james bond movie set in today's world, real crisp and today-looking. disney gave it the right look. also see the movie excaliber from 1981, it has that colorful fantasy look-style, vdt got it right in the dufflepuds garden, where it looked more cartoonish and colorful. i think that's why it felt like it didn't match the other films, and like you werent in narnia.
Thanks Dylan!
Youre welcome!
Aslan's Country! The thing about the "faith" in voyage of the dawn treader was it was not clearly defined faith. Faith in what? Themselves? THAT, to me, was the message of VODT: believe in yourself, you can do it, don't doubt yourself, have faith! But our faith is USELESS if we don't have our faith resting IN something—-CHRIST—- in Lucy's case, ASLAN.
They used lines about faith right from the book. So are you questioning the movie or C.S. Lewis? ha ha
Please tell me the lines they used in VODT (movie) from VODT (the book) about faith. If you mean the ONE line at the end with Aslan saying he had another name, like Non-negotiable Comment said, it was like "throwing the Christians a bone" at that point when they had already portrayed having faith in YOURSELF the whole movie. ( Like the conversation Aslan has with Lucy after her dream of looking like Susan)
If I questioned C.S. Lewis why would I be defending the books so much?
I know you said not to but just listen to this," In your world i have another name. You must leran to know me by it. That was the very reason you were brought to Narnia; that by knowing me here for a little you may know me better there." This quote screams FAITH!
Yes, but what other lines from the book that are in the movie? Lines about faith, that is?
Thats it thats all there is. However there are lines in this one quotes so there ya have it. Also i must poin this out. In all of the Narnia books C.S. lewis only uses the word faith in one book…. Voyage of the Dawn Treader. So i really appreciated when Lucy talks about having faith in the movie, that was a very awesome scene for me seeing as how VDT was the only book that uses the word faith. If you want to know more details pg. 239
I really hope they decide to either choose The Silver Chair or The Last Battle for the next movie. The Horse and his boy and The Magicians Nephew would be hard to sell unless you love narnia. For now I think they should stick with action packed stories to bring in more people. What do you guys think?
I thought the article said that Doug Gresham wants all 7 to be done and I believe it can be done.I love the horse and his boy. I hope they will make all 7. I also understand that the Magicians Nephew was in the debate to do next.I wished they would do Silver Chair w/ Will Pouder next. I don't mind if they lower the budget.Lord have mercy and send the right company to make it.
Ya I agree with you. I was talking about from the fans point of view. I think they should stick with action for now to biuld up fan base. Ask anyone and they will say Horse and His Boy was a slow read, however I really enjoyed it. I also love magicians nephew because of the creation of narnia, however maybe this is just my opinion from a huge fans point of view ya dig? I try and think of how someone would enjoy narnia movies with nor prier narnia knowledge of passion.
HHB a slow read?? what? it was action packed with horseback riding and journeys! SC was boring to me, trudging around in the marsh, looking for signs. snooze.
Flying owls, fishing for eels, giants trying to eat them, underground world, slaying a huge snake. or horseback riding and a small battle. no comparrison. Now dont get me wrong I love HHB I just read it for the 8th time but it is slower than SC.
HHB was a very fast paced read. That one and I think LB keep you glued to the book. If anything SC was pretty slow no matter how many flying owls and eels you get.
It is obviously personal opinion. But I would rather see flying on owls and, hiding from giants and slaying a huge evil snake over horseback riding anyday. But i will say this LWW and LB are the best!
@ High Queene Shelly Belly: You obviously have only read Silver Chair once, because they don't trudge around in the marshes at all. They go to the marsh, where Puddleglum lives, then they go to the North of Narnia, where there are certainly no marshes. And if you don't think that it's exciting to be almost eaten by giants, then I don't know what is! Besides Puddleglum is possibly the very best character ever written.
im trying to like it but it seems so much like an ordinary grimm's fairytale to me. like ive heard it all before, jack and the beanstlk part 2. and losing the pevensies bummed me out, the leads are all strangers. eustace, meh. i just hope they pump up caspian's part for a movie, gotta see ben again.
and that green witch, very derivative. seeing a guy bound to a chair- yawn. owls are cute though . underground trolls, yuck.
How is the Green Lady any more derivative than the White Witch? I would say she's less so. Villain's that represent cruelty, intolerance, and hatred of others are a dime a dozen. As a villain that personifies self-hatred, the Green Lady's unique.
I actually found VDT to be the slowest read. HHB and Silver Chair were very fun to read for me.
No, the Green witch is everything but unique. First of all,, they never describe her origins, shes way too blah of a character.
She can turn into a snake how is that not unigue? Not to mention she was born in the dark age and she may have been linked to the destruction of the giants great city. She killed the queen of narnia. She may be the sister of Jadis or even Jadis herself seeing as how Jadis ate an apple form the tree of protection in MN. I feel she is very unique.
Another thing that makes her unique is the fact that she doesn't convince people to abandon or ignore reason, as most "seductive" villains do. She actually twists their reason, so that their minds are fundamentally different.
As for the Green Lady's origins, Jadis was killed in LWW. Any other conclusion would cheapen Aslan's victory. Also, Jadis killed everyone else in her world in MN. The only way for the Green Lady to be a blood relative is if she is a descendent. I don't feel that the mystery surrounding the Green Lady's origins makes her less interesting.
Some people have said that they don't want to see Tilda in SC. I personally would not miss her if she was absent. But a flashback showing her connection to the Green Lady might be more effective on film than having Narnians relating the theory that they are of the same crew, without further development. I prefer her to be a protegée rather than a descendent, though.
Anhun- I see your point, however it never clarifies it. We don’t know if she is or if she isn’t. Jadis ate from the tree of protection. She may be gone for now but she is immortal and can return! That being said, i agree with you that i don’t think The Lady of the Green Kirtle is Jadis. All I’m saying is we don’t know from a fact point of view its strictly personal opinion. Does this make sense?
i felt like having another witch show up was boring. we had one in the first book.
Thank you for seeing what I see! I agree with you! =)
I agree. I think they should do SC then LB, because Jill, Eustace….Then do MN because people will be wondering how the whole Narnia world started. I think LB would make a SUPERB movie. What with all the Cgi deals they have to do.
Hey, I think I replied to the wrong comment. I had just woken up when I wrote that….
MN is my favorite book of the series. Hands down. I reread it all the time. I think it would make a fabulous movie. Am I all alone on this, or is there anyone out in cyberspace that agrees with me?
I think it would be a great movie. Just not yet. I dont think Narnia has the fan base to produce that movie yet. I am most excited for the scene with fledge flying throughout narnia, that would be so amazing to watch.
I was thinking the creation scene would be cool, and then they do such good casting, that Uncle Andrew will be hilarious.
I agree with Aslan's Country. MN is very difficult to translate into a movie that non-fans can understand and enjoy. It's only selling point is as a Narnia creation story. With so few people interested in Narnia for it's own sake, they need to rekindle that interest before they can market MN.
I agree with you, Uncle Andrew could really be really funny. But not yet lets get more fans on board first!
True, hadn't thought of that…
Well, Walden had lost the film option. But no one said that this contract wasn't be prolonged (or wouldn't be prolonged)! And it quite may be, and this case will return the situation to the same status.
As to me, I totally disliked the idea of reboot the Narnia films. I love LWW, PC and VDT, these movies mean very much for me. I'm not concerned that the new versions will be better – in any sense. Especially in the Christian content.
I think they should return Adamson in the project and do all 7 films. Maybe it's the only chance to do the full and adequate screen version of Chronicles.
Does that mean that Fox and Walden have to wait also or could they do another sequel anytime?
Hey, did the Narnians ever give up on Aslan? Yes, but when they gained faith in Him, everything turned out very good. I currently, regardless of the state of franchise, have been and will be praying that things will turn out very good every night and day.
Anyway, at least we know that the films are wanted to continue on being made, and money wasn't the reason why Walden had alleged dropped the franchise(Yes, money is and will be a problem, but let's not get on to that.). So, I wonder why they didn't renew the contract when they could have, since Walden really wanted to continue the films with MN next? Hmm, that will probably require a long explanation, but moving on.
And here's something else positive to think about. Not only is it Douglas Gresham's dream to have all seven books adapted to the big screen, but I've also heard that the Estate really wants that to happen too. Almost as desperate as the fans who still have faith in the Walden franchise. 😛 (I wouldn't consider that too many though.)
With an expired contract, as mentioned in the article, that means that other film companies will have the chance to adapt Narnia, not just Walden Media. Many fans have now gained hatred toward Walden just because of how VDT turned out, and perhaps a new company will try to use their source of material better. I would like Warner Bros. to pick it up. I was never a fan of HP, but if the films had that much hype, then Warner Bros. must be a great film making company and marketers. I feel that Narnia should have been more than it has in all three Walden films. There was potential for them to be epic in their own sense, but I think Walden at times was playing too safe. (I don't hate Walden Media by the way, I'm just giving my opinion.)
I also kind of hope that another film company comes along because of the many fans who were feeling they had been betrayed by Walden. I almost felt depressed for all those. I must be one of the younger and newer fans of Narnia on here because I didn't really feel as upset by certain things as other people. But my heart went out to those who felt upset and angered, and I wished I could have done something about it.
There will be a lack of Narnia films for a few years, but I'm not going to stop visiting all these great, up to date fan sites, nor will I stop reading the excellent books. I have much to learn yet of the world of Narnia, and I will still come here and debate on the aspects of the books and what we still have left to cover about the three films we were given. Thank you so much for making us Narnia geeks come together, NarniaWeb. 🙂
I dont think its Waldens problem for doing VDT not so good, its Apted's.
Apted was indifferent to improving an awful script. I think there's plenty of blame to go around. I also think that the next time we see a major Narnia motion picture, glumpuddle Jr. will be ranting about it via real-time 3D holograms.
By then Poulter will look his age.
maybe walden wanted to make MN too christian for the new estate executors taste, they had said back in 2001 they wanted to make the films with the christianity toned down. it's not like jack is in charge of it all. and the stepson can seem to only push the christianity so far with them.
I'm not blaming Walden Media who made the the last two Narnia movies disappointing, I think the directors are responsible of how a movie turns out. So, that's why I think Peter Jackson and whatever a good company for Narnia should make the rest of the movies. I can trust Peter Jackson. Walden Media actually seemed to be a good company for Narnia. 🙂
the director is responsible only for the "look" of the film, it's the writing and the producer's decisions as to what will be done are the biggest factor. the producer decides on the content. he approves what the writers come up with or not,
I'm very glad that the missing piece of the puzzle has finally been supplied. This makes sense out of the conflicting reports that we've been getting.
Upon further reflection I realize that there is still a piece or two missing.
The truth has been here for several months. It just got overlaid with denials published on other sites.
Yeah!!!!!!!!!(More news!!!)
Hope is not lost!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I hope the moratorium isn't too long! We don't want Will to be too old for SC!
maybe the state feels they can get the audience back with a new company, since it seems everyone got mad at walden. then people will give the new studio a chance.
Truth being said, he is too old. But does he look it? No.
i wasnt talking about will polter.
Wait what the hec???? Sorry i think I replied to the wrong comment. Sorry about that.
*sits down and cries* I am SO sad!! we'll have to wait and since we don't know how long that will be, then it will be worse!
well, maybe when they are able to do another movie, they will just jump to HHB and have the by-then-older Pevensies come back to cameo again 🙂
at least we know that hope isn't gone!
Middle-earth Network tweeted the following 2 hours ago!
"Confirmed. Live interview with Douglas Gresham, stepson of C.S. Lewis and Narnia co-producer on Oct. 15th. On @MyMeRadio"
http://twitter.com/#!/MiddleEarthNet/status/118800191569661952
That's terrific! Finally someone is going to interview Doug. I really don't want to hear Flaherty's half truths and confussion about Narnia. Walden has failed C.S. Lewis.
i think the executors of the estate have backstabbed cs lewis and doug gresham.
i hear walden was trying to keep it more christian.
High Queen: I blame Walden, not the Estate. Yet we don't know what was going on behind the scenes for each film. Maybe Walden wanted to make them more Christian and maybe they didn't.
FYI: I think Gresham is the executor of the Lewis Estate, or at least he's on the board.
the estate is not necessarily christian anymore, and gresham isnt the head of it. walden has strong christians in it, and they seem more christian than the estate heads, at this point frrom what ive read.
High Queen: you have some bad information!
1. The executors of the Lewis Estate are Christians. They always have been.
2. Doug Gresham and his brother inherited the estate when Lewis died. Doug is now an employee/ executor of the estate, with Walter Hooper as chief executor. The link below and many more confirm this. Just look up "douglas gresham" and "lewis estate" in a Yahoo or Google search engine. http://www.narniaweb.com/2011/01/douglas-gresham-in-january-issue-of-guideposts/
3. Not everyone at Walden Media is a Christian. In a recent interview, President Micheal Flaherty said this was not a requirement for employment.
i read an article in 2001 in THIS ROCK catholic magazine before i even knew what narnia was that covered how when the estate saw the success of harry potter books + decided to tone down the christianity in the narnia books to make secular movies of it, this info was leaked by christian movie people quitting in disgust at what the estate was planning on doinig to the new movies. they leaked the memos out. as you can see, these movies have had the christianity watered down to the bare minimum. and gresham himself is on camera and quoted as saying he wanted to get it out to the secular world and out of the christian ghetto. they did what they felt was needed to pass in today's godless movie world. compare them with the older productions which were blatently christian, you can tell how overtly godly the older (cartoon, bbc, etc,) were. no matter what the estate says, the end result can be seen, the memos were true.
The horrid thing is that BBC didn't make all seven of the books into films. Not only that, but they greatly shortened Prince Caspian. However, they were really good, and at least we have those for the first four books. But after the rest? Either our imaginations as we read the books and act them out will have to suffice, or we'll have to see some indie films of Narnia come out. My brother was actually friends with a boy about my age who made LWW into a movie, and then PC later on. I got to be in PC, as well as my brother and three of my sisters. I would love to see that happen, and have the movies made as good as possible and uploaded to Youtube for us fans to watch 😀 I think Walden has done us wrong for two films (PC and VDT), Disney did us wrong with PC, and Fox with VDT. The movie industry can't stand a movie that doesn't have action and romance in it, and that doesn't copy LotR, so I really don't care whether any more of the books are made into movies by a big film corporation.
have you ever listened to famiy radio theatres' narnia? they are great radio plays and accurate.
Yes, I like them a good deal, and have all of them.
I hope that Lions Gate take the Narnia films.
Everyone can now take a big long EXHALE.
Yes, and also hold our breaths that maybe Walden and Apted won't be involved in any more of the films 🙂 Also, glumPuddle, I saw your video analyses of VDT, and they were great! I've only seen the movie once, so I couldn't remember everything about it, but you nailed most everything right on the head, and of course expressed it better than I could have done. The Aslan facepalms were hilarious!
Oh yes!
*exhales… even if only for the moment*
Were you expecting anything like this, glumpuddle?
By the way, I really liked your video!
yes, we need a new video about this , glumpuddle!
i hope its not a remake i want andrew adamson as the director his passion for the bringing the narnia series to life was strong and beautiful i thought harry gregson was a wonderful composer i have both complete soundtracks i listen to them alot
My reaction to the news is pretty much a great big meh. Considering it has been almost an entire year since VDT came out with absolutely no news of work beginning on a new film, I doubted they were actually going to be making a new one anytime soon. And honestly, VDT was terrible enough that I really don't care to see another Walden-helmed Narnia film. Walden has yet to make a single movie other than LWW I've liked and I doubt MN/SC would have changed that trend.
There's finally a new article and all it says is that we might have to wait a few more years :/
We have to wait? So be it. I'll wait however long it takes. My advice to people is to distract yourself with another book/movie. It works for me all the time 🙂 but I instantly forget them when exciting Narnia news pops up. 😉
Walden got alot of things right to me, but bits not so right detracted at the same time.
A solution to the C.S. Lewis estate that might help any reservations about the first three films could be this:
C.S. Lewis Estate ( Douglas Gresham i presume in the main) & the production company (Walden if able to compromise i guess in the main) both have equal say in the Director for each movie.
The Director has majority creative decisions for production design/direction and script for the movie. That way there is kinda of a neutral independent element that can take everything that has been right about the first three films & incorporate that into the film being done while getting around the tensions that may be out of sync. with what is going so well with the adaptions.
The potential directors get to pitch the themes – very important , artistic feel & presentation (essence to be marketed) they would do for each film, which the production company and Estate have to equally agree upon. This should include good familiarity with the books and the films made to date.
Once both parties have found a Director for each episode they are happy with, common ground for difficult issues in the making of the films will in a sense be less contentious and equally co-operative as the Director is bound to the parameters that were set at the start of the process, so nothing should end up too out of whack for both parties in outcomes to that.
Magician's Nephew should have a LW&W budget, and under new approach, once that is wildly successful, a PC type budget for Silver Chair and then same for 'Horse & His Boy' directed by Andrew Adamson. Simple ehh!
🙂
You have some good ideas there 😀
I hope that they get the legal issues worked out and that the series will continue, but please don't bring Adamson back. He totally missed the mark with PC.
When Peter and Caspian are introduced to each other Peter remarks "I haven't come to take your place, you know, but to put you into it." Adamson totally ignored that important portion of the book and in fact turned it completely around making Peter trying to take total control. That running theme throughout the movie nearly ruined PC for me.
I agree that he missed the mark with Peter/Caspian by far… and with Suspian, but overall I still really truly loved PC…
And he didn't completely alter the entire plot… *coughmistcough*
So I'd be happy with Adamson on the helm, I do however respect the fact that he needs a break once in a while 😉
I respectfully disagree that the mark was missed with Peter & Caspian – & after the White Witch was summoned, Peter & Caspian were both on the same page.
And before then, they were still on the same side with the same goal.
The changes to Peter's character & Caspian's to his, were part of a wider theme to the episode, both of the book & film.
conflict drives movies better, that's why they changed it
I liked the whole Peter Caspian conflict thing. These movies aren't to go with the books, they're to make money. (I think)
Thank goodness NEWS!!!!
It's pretty certain that when the new Narnia movies are made it'll be a remake (hopefully with Peter Jackson)since it's probably going to be a few years.
And hey, maybe they will go with the books this time.
At least I now can relax, Narnia is considered one of the world's biggest franchises. So we'll see them again.
In all seriousness I think this is for the best. 🙂
"A remake" ? I don't think it's likely that there would be a sense of starting again and repeating the three stories already filmed.
When you say "a few years" do you think that's a very long time? Three or four is "a few" – and you have other films to get excited over in the years between now and then – like 2 Hobbit films!
True…but it doesn't seem very soon. The actors are already (to old) and the mass public would have forgotten by then. Why not start a remake with MN and do it with the other order? I just see little hope in the next movie being SC or MN in this original franchise even though I would prefer it to be that way.
There is NO WAY that Peter Jackson would EVER make a Narnia film. First off, if Walden are still producing the films (at whatever point), they simply could not afford him. Secondly, Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh (his partner, whom he would inevitably hire to write the script) would almost certainly have NO interest in tackling anything this overtly evangelical in nature. If they did, it would be unrecognizable, from a spiritual perspective. Third, why would the creative force behind one of the most successful franchises in film history choose to work on another franchise that is, generally, considered to be an inferior knockoff of his? It makes no sense, whatsoever.
Lastly, the idea of a series reboot is beyond ridiculous. This isn't Spider-Man or the X-Men, which can constantly be repackaged. 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' was a once in a GENERATION film. We've had ours. It's done. MAYBE your grandchildren will see a new one. It would be ridiculously risky to spend MORE money to create another film so soon that LESS people would see.
"At least I now can relax, Narnia is considered one of the world’s biggest franchises. So we’ll see them again."
What? What?? Where did you get "I can relax" from THIS article? Again, I am just stunned by how many people here vastly overestimate the size and influence of this "franchise". It is NOT "one of the world's biggest franchises". Until everyone involved in the franchise (investors, producers, creative talent, and FANS, especially) stop assuming this, the franchise is doomed to repeated failure.
Dude, you nailed it this time. I could not possibly agree more. There is absolutley no relief form this article whatsoever. To me, its more of relief that theres another article, and that there is more news at all on this next movie. Maybe thats not what Aslans 1 Fan meant, but if its a relief at all, its relief that there is news. Now as for Narnia being a huge franchise, I cant see how. Maybe if the films had been going the way of PC and LWW, maybe it woul.d be huge.
I think I agree with you except about the franchise is doomed to fail. If the right things happen (like the makers of Courageous and Fireproof become huge, they could possibly do it with quality spiritually and story. You never know.
yeah, maybe they need to give it to the fireproof guys. the effects would be faker but the story would stay true.
Hmmm, now I'm confused, cause the narniafans website said that they wern't sure that the legal rights were lost… everything is up in the air right now though so I have no idea what to think, but there's always hope- GO NARNIA
This is an update on that information. Walden no longer has the rights, and the Estate is waiting to be able to offer them elsewhere.
i doubt anyone else will pick it up
Honestly, this is about the best news I could hear right now. I would be very nervous if I heard Walden was going to make a new film right on the heels of VDT but deep down I really don't want these movies to be over. I'm glad the Estate has control over the series' future.
With a moratorium now in place, it sounds like all of us Narnia fans can hibernate for a few years as it seems as though we won't be seeing a new movie any time soon.
🙁 Well, I guess we just have to wait for a bit! I won't give up hope for the Narnia films though! 🙂
Does this mean they will have to pick new actors.
I think it depends on how long the wait is, and which film you're talking about. In the case of HHB, I wouldn't worry unless the moratorium is 10 years or so. The leads are new anyway, and since the Pevensies are supposed to be adults, they LWW actors will be the right age to play them for some time to come. Likewise, I think James McAvoy shouldn't age out of the Tumnus role for a while to come.
For MN, they may have to recast the White Witch, although Tilda's still young enough right now, who knows where she'll be in several years.
In the case of SC, I think they would need to recast Eustace anyway, but that's just my opinion.
Liam can play Aslan for decades, if he wants to.
That's actually a huge relief, though I knew it was true, I just neede someone to point it out
Totally agree Anhun
This is good news. My only concerns are that the moratoium will be too long and the actors and actresess will look too old for their parts. My other concern is that if they'll even hire the same people. (This is if Walden and Fox aren't doing the movies)
I know I'm going to get smoked for this, but I think- in my opinion mind you- that Eustace could have been a lot brattier. It was probably just bad scripting, but I was looking for an Eustce that I wanted to slap in the face cause I like when thoes people become good in the end, however, I thought the movie Eustace was a tad off on that part. So, Will poulter is probably an outstanding actor, but, in future sctipts, I would rather he be a tad more bratty- that is, when he's grumpy ad that old side comes out again… All this to say, I wouldn't mind different actors if they can be more true to the character- though that probably wasn't Poulter or Georgie's fault
I think he was perfect. I do agree that he could have been brattier, but it was fine the way it was. to tell you the truth, Eustace was my favorite part of the movie.
I don't think you should get smoked for that. I know exactly what you mean. Poulter was great, considering what he was given to work with, but, like every other noteworthy aspect of the story, Eustace was underutilized, muted, and just not what he should have been in the film.
I agree with Dylan. I think Will Poulter was perfect. He was the best actor (in my miniscule perspective) of all of them. Well, except for Liam Neeson, but, hey. Will was just bratty enough, I think, and he looked like the Eustace I would imagine, only thinner.
I really liked David Thwaites. He was one of the highlights of BBC's SC and one of the very few things I enjoyed about PCVDT.
No, I TOTALLY AGREE. I thought Will Poulter was AWESOME for Eustace, but that he wasn't bratty enough.In the book it's more like "Ugh, I want to slap this kid." But he wasn't as bad in the movie. They should of done more with that so you could see how he was really CHNAGED by Aslan. (The thing is, I think Eustace is rather HILARIOUS in the books and in the movie…really, Eustace, Reepicheep, and the painting scene were the best things about the movie…and this is coming from an Edmund fan.)
Jill and Eustace will always be Camilla Power and David Thwaites in my heart. I know Will Poulter is a fine young actor, and I enjoyed him very much as Eustace (a different kind of Eustace, but…). And, Eustace, to me, is… incomplete… without Jill, so, it's like we've only seen one half of him, in a sense. I adore that BBC 'Silver Chair' adaptation.
yeah, i liked the bbc eustace better, i thought he was perfect.
Haha BBC Eustace. He's good too 🙂 Really funny! 🙂 I love Puddleglum in the BBC version!
Now that's sulbte! Great to hear from you.
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Well, here's hoping! I'm glad they aren't stopping the movies as we have yet to see some of the best books(like the end of LB for instance)on the silver screen… But part of me doesn't wan to see them butcher other books. Don't get me wrong, the movies were EXCELLENT, but if the downhill track they are on has any indication of the future narnia movies, I'd be quite nervouse. Mostly because I hear people talking about something in the narnia film and they're taring it appart! I always feel so bad because what they are saying is true, and its not what I want the world to see narnia as…
Wow….This is so distressing. I don't know why I care, since I always get mad at every Narnia movie (except the first) because they are unfaithful adaptions. But for some reason I always want to see it- I guess to see what they DID to C.S. Lewis' book. But this is crazy…I wonder how old we will all be by then!!!!!!!! YIKES!
FINALLY some news! hopefully this moratorium will be brief otherwise they'll have to recast… Although, as much as I hate to say it, if they have to do that a complete reboot may be a better idea.
Either way, this is not the good news we had all hoped to hear, is it? 🙁
No it wasn't but I guess you have to be thankful, huh?
I agree, the only hope of making Narnia movies is to reboot about five to ten years from now.
5 years is way too soon to reboot. 10 years is seriously pushing it.
I don't particularly like the idea of a reboot either, but at this point it may be the only hope for the series. If they wait too long for a sequel the actors will be too old (in their '20s at least), the only movies they'd be able to make would be HHB or LB (and let's face it LB wouldn't even make sense unless they did SC & MN first, at least not without eliminating some major characters). But let's look on the bright side, maybe a reboot would be more accurate to the original text :-??
Oh well. We'll have to wait for the movies. Up side is MORE TIME ON NARNIAWEB!!!!!!!!
Does anyone have anything good to say about the VDT movie?! I really enjoyed it. How Reepicheep sang his song at the front of the Dawn Treader, the painting and how they entered Narnia was perfect! The Christian references, the golden pool, Eustace, The seamonster, The music, shots of the Dawn Treader sailing gave me the biggest chills not to mention they nailed creating the Dawn Treader it was perfect!
I say this with completely sincerity, and I hope you believe it: I'm really glad you liked it. Knowing what you love is a great gift. Enjoy it. Conversely, you have to understand, that all those things you mentioned are, to many of us, superficial, aesthetic aspects of the film that served as pretty packaging to an otherwise empty box. The film was a very shallow, soulless attempt to mimic something wondrous and beautiful. It had tastes of this, and snippets of that, but… it was dead inside. I probably won't ever convince you of that, but it's what I believe, and it's not because I'm trying to make you, or anyone else, love the film less. Over the last ten months, those of us with problems with the film have stated, ad infinitum, our reasoning behind our opinions. You don't have to agree with them, or even read them. But, I hope you understand that all of us love Narnia as much as the next person. We don't critique the films to make anyone else feel bad. We do it (well, *I* do it) because I'm trying to encourage the community to not just be grateful that we have *ANYTHING* with "Narnia" stamped on it at our local theatres. These books are incredibly special to us, and we want to see them treated with more respect, and represented, cinematically, in a more intelligent, caring manner.
So, if you're happy with them, then your journey is complete. Be satisfied, and don't let me, or anyone else, ruin your enjoyment of them. Others of us feel like we have a duty to demand more from these films. That's why we point out what we see as unacceptable deficiencies in the product.
In a sense I agree with you and I agree with what you said,, and in another I kinda dont. The scenes you pointed out were some of my fav parts of the movie. Espescially the Reepicheep scene. But on the other hand, I didnt like the movie that much.
s/he's young, and will see the flaws as they get older. oh, to be young still and to be able to gloss over the missed potential of this movie………….
Wow, I probably couldn't have said it better, Non-negotiable Comment. I agree with you.
The thing about the "Christian aspects" was they weren't what true Christianiy should be. The message was a "believe in yourself" type of message instead of Believe in Christ, he's the only way…
Which is what C.S. Lewis pointed out vividly in his books.
Thanks, always narnian. I know what you mean about the insidiously deceptive depiction of Christianity in the films, particularly, with 'Dawn Treader'. The most ironic aspect of my 'Dawn Treader' experience was that, for the longest time, I was fairly confident that we would get a pretty good film, but that they would NEVER include the "There I have another name." line, because it finally reveals Aslan's "true" identity, emphasizing the hypothetical nature of the Chronicles, rather than the (incorrectly) perceived allegorical nature. Of course, they totally fooled me, and produced an awful film, but included the line! I wouldn't say the line is completely meaningless at that point, but, coming from "Movie" Aslan, it sure isn't the same thing as the weight it's given in the book. It just feels like a "Let's throw the Christians a bone." moment, more than the glorious revelation/comforting gift it was to Lucy and Edmund, to let them know that He would NEVER leave them.
Exactly, Non-negotiable Comment. It was more like a "let's do this so the Christian fans won't get too overly mad." But it didn't work, I still got mad even though that line was included…haha…Don't get me wrong, I love that line, but yeah—-EXACTLY what you said! *thumbs up!*
I loved it too! Even though it had it's issues (like not going with the book). I still love watching it once and a while!!!!
Yes….I do love the movie as a movie by itself, but certainly not as a sequel to PC. The music had such a different feel. They used brass and woodwinds too much, so it sounded cheesy. More strings, you get a more magical feel. (with flutes and other woodwinds on the side, or even as a melody)
But…The only music I really love, that sends chills down my spine, was the Dragon Treasure scene. Oh! Can't you guys imagine how fun that would be to play on handbells or chimes?
There are lots of good bits in the film.
One of those being the entire Magician's Island sequence being just right i thought, & i'm sure i read Michael Apted had quite abit to do with that in making sure the we got the Dufflepods too as well as this part also having Georgia Henley in the forefront of the plot on her 'potential' magical quest/journey type character arc ala the book; all added to make it a pretty great & seamless VODT continuation of the Narnia series there (of both the book & film) if you like this entire sequence too.
I liked alot of other well done bits also, but if it built up it's themes from the tonality of this sequence, would have been more moving book illustration cinematic experience of the Narnia books with other two in this way to me. Still good though, but decent part of that can be fandom of previous two films & the books.
I agree! I absolutely LOVED VDT!!!!! I think that they did an awesome job portraying the book on the big screen! I am happy to find somebody that has positive things to say about VDT. 🙂
High Queene Shelly Belly ive been a fan since I was four and am now twenty-one. If that makes me young than so be it but I think everyone had good things to say and i will take it all with an open mind. However i feel that those scenes i talked about with the music added were just what i had in mind when i was reading the book for the first time. They did add things and they did change a few things however i do look for those "magical" moments that bring my first loving memories of Narnia come to life. People say it was like an emptu cup and it just seemed like pretty gift wrap with nothing in the box. Narnia fans i would love to know what you would of added or changed about the movie? What would you add to make the cup full? Im not talking bad or trying to be negative im very curious at what you guys wanted differantly?
they changed the main theme that finding heaven is the main purpose in life, and turned it into a monster movie.
don't get me wrong, im glad you could watch it and enjoy it . i was just expecting my heart to be thrilled, i ended up heartbroken. im trying to appreciate the film for what it is, believe me.
Aslan's Country! What us Narnia fans would have had different was for them to stay true to the books and the Christian aspect. They did neither and we were heart broken over what our Narnia had become…this wasn't NARNIA! It was someone making a story they wanted with "Narnia" penned on them!!! Where is C.S. Lewis' Masterpiece buried under all that rubble???
always narnian-I asked why, not what you thought. details? all im getting are your opinions not facts. Please explin yourself a little better
I'm sorry, Aslan's Country! but when YOU say this: "Narnia fans i would love to know what you would of added or changed about the movie? What would you add to make the cup full? Im not talking bad or trying to be negative im very curious at what you guys wanted differantly?" you are asking what our opinion is.
Secondly, I did give the fact that they did not stay true to the books, and you can not say that they did. That is a fact. It was NOT a FAITHFUL adaption- whether or not you think it was a GOOD adaption- it was not, in the slightest, faithful to C.S. Lewis' book.
it was a fun, shallow movie that should have been about finding God, not stoking one's self esteem.
ok let me put it this way for you. FACTS. What would you add from the book? Im talking about events, charatcers, ect.
What would I add from the book? The storyline, for one thing.
ok…… That still doesnt give many details?
I love Narnia, I'm might be going to uni. to study film, screenplay, script, drama etc – I wouldn't mind a reboot if I was in charge.
I* haha!
I really don't understand what you said. (But, hey, getting that degree sounds really cool)
I know right. That would be fun to work on a movie off of a series of books i love so much. Ive always wanted to be a concept artist.
That's REALLY cool! I would love to make movies! 🙂 I have fun making little videos as it is.
I know, I've said before "I'll make Narnia myself" because I get mad the way they are doing them.
But mostly I would probably like the acting part.
I like drawing but I don't know if I could handle millions of pictures like concept art or story boards.
Yeah, I could act too! But since EVERYBODY wants to act, I could be a costume designer of script writer. Preferably the writer though — more my area. I don't know if I could handle all the stress of the director, but I could try that too while we're imagining, hey?!
^In a few years, obvo.
I really wanna be jill pole or polly!!!!!!!!!!! but that is now VERY unlikely! seeeing as i have to wait for ages and ages!!!!!
sorry if i seem a little overwhelmed…
This is indeed good news to me.
I say that because this means Walden isn't going to be rushing to push out another Narnia film just to make some more cheap profit. And now maybe a company that really understands Narnia will take up the rights and do the books justice when the time comes. 😀
Hopefully the waiting period won't be too long. When it is over, and if a new Narnia movie is made, it should give Narnia a breath of fresh air. Sort of like the time length between Toy Story 2 and 3.
Sad to think that most likely the continuity of the past three films will not be carried over into the next film… Wait, what am I saying?!?! I only liked the first one. The last two were "bleh"! lol
I would hate to think also that someone might reboot the series. Meaning MORE waiting to see the other books that haven't been made into film yet. Then again, I'd love to see PC and VDT done again, the right way.
There's also the option of a TV or web series. There would be a huge drop in budget most likely, but that just means people will have to be more creative and not just make everything out of CGI. 😛
walden was never out to make cheap profit, they love the series. if you want cheap profit, you'd puke out some sludge about vampires, not clean cut 1940's kids.
This may just be a nitpick, but, "cheap profit?" In what way shape or form are the Walden Narnia films cheap? Are you a multi-trillionaire or something? 😛
1) Gee, from the comments I'm reading it seems like this is NarniaHaters.com. Please don't kill me for saying this, but I just love, love, LOVE all the movies. Yes, all. What people need to realize, is that the movies are simply not going to be the books. We need to be more open to change. Also, these movies aren't just being made for NarniaWebbers like us, it's not like the people making the movies are thinking, "hey, let's change a really important part of the book just to make the fans angry!", they're just trying to make it more appealing to a broader audience. Oh and why are people getting so worked up about the Green Mist, I mean, it hardly changes anything in the story. I personally enjoyed all the temptation scenes (actually, I just think that Skandar looks really hot when he's angry).
2) I don't know who it was that posted something against the VDT soundtrack, but I would just like to say to them that Harry Gregson-Williams did NOT do the music for that movie. That's why they only used the main theme like once, it's like when John Williams stopped doing the music for Harry Potter, they didn't use Hedwig's Theme as much.
3) I'm kind of happy they're continuing the movies a little later so it gives me a chance to improve my acting skills and maybe audition for one of these movies.
I totally agree with you! I love the movies, even a little more than the books, because it was the movies that made me a fan, so they are more special to me(I saw LWW before I read the book).
I also didn't think the VDT score was that bad! It's very beautiful, and it works that it's different since they're technically not in Narnia, but rather covering new territory in the Eastern Ocean.
Oh, no! I totally love the movies, and I'm not trying to be a Narnia hater! I am just saying my perspective on the not so good differences between Lww to Vdt. That's all.
Now you know how I feel! Man this is ridiculous….
(man, if people would not get so upbeat about our opinions, we might get somewhere!)
Queen Emily the Awesome- You are spot on! I think your perspective on the movies/ this website are perfect. I love the things you have said. It made me smile because I agree with you and this is the true Narnian spirit! Way to look at the positives like a true Narnian! You rock and god bless you!
I'm addressing this to both you and Emily.
First, there is a HUGE difference between criticism and hatred, Emily. You're obviously very young (I hope), so I suspect you'll come to understand that as you grow older. Right now… you do NOT understand it. Try and read what we say about the films, and not what you THINK we say about the films. It's just a suggestion, but you may learn something.
Aslan's Country!, your "true Narnian" act is beyond condescending. You have no copyright on the phrase "Narnian". God wants us to seek and find the truth. You don't do that by accepting everything at face value, and by not seeking to improve things if there's a chance to. Having a DIFFERENT opinion than yours does NOT equate to having a NEGATIVE one. No one here WANTS these films to fail, and, I'm certain that we are ALL hopeful that they will return at some point. We just want them to be BETTER when they do.
As for liking the films better than the books, I am AGHAST at that thought, but I certainly don't begrudge you for doing so. We're all different, and there are plenty of reasons to love "Narnia", in whatever incarnation. On a related note, you will notice that the site is named "Narniaweb". Not "Peoplewhoagreewithmeweb". Try and keep that in mind.
God bless both of you.
Peace. Out.
HAHAHAHAHAHA funny comming from a guy named Non-negotiable Comment! I never said the movies are better than the books? My opinion is we need to appreciate what has been given to us. AKA VDT movie. Take the good out of what has been given not the bad! like you and dylan and others who look at the bad. So try and read this with an open mind and dont freak out. however im sure we will be seeing your 10000000 word comment soon because this is "non negotiable" right? humble yourself.
As Non-Negotiable said, his comments were directed at both you and Emily. Reading comprehension FTW.
I’d just like to point out that you have very little room to attack Non-Negotiable considering your arrogant attitude. Might I suggest you take your own advice and quit trying to enforce your opinion as some sort of standard everyone else has to hold to?
As for only discussing positive aspects of artistic works, this is exactly the sort of attitude that results in stagnation and the same miserable tripe being churned out over and over again. If one is never told that their work is crappy, they’re never going to make changes and improve.
Where in AC's comment did s/he imply that Non was only talking to them? If you are referring to their statement that they didn't like the movies better than the books, I should point out that neither AC nor Emily said that they liked the movies better than the books, so it is unclear who Non was addressing with that "AGHAST" comment.
Now AC claims that people who criticize the movies are "UnNarnian." This is arrogant and irritating I agree. At the same time, Non has subtly implied that people who don't criticize the movies are ungodly. That is beyond offensive. I don't know which God he believes in, but that attitude is an insult to any god I know about. Maybe there's a Greek god of film criticism that I missed . . .
Aslan's Country!:
My nom de plume (google it) is an homage, of sorts, to a comment made by Douglas Gresham in an article posted here some time ago. It is mild, gentle sarcasm, not intended to be taken literally. Most people can appreciate that, and I've never really had to explain it before. Since you brought it up, I've made an exception for you. There are many people I disagree with here on a regular basis, but I still like to read what they have to say, and I'm actually rather fond of some. Diversity of opinion is not the terrible thing you seem to think it is. We can learn from different opinions. We should be thankful for them, not be spiteful of them. I mean this, and my post above, as friendly advice. Of course, the people most in need of taking advice are almost always the ones to most frequently ignore it. I tried.
As for me "looking at the bad", if that's what I SEE, then that's what I REPORT. I have praised every aspect of these films worth praising. I have many positive things to say about the first two films. The last one, sadly… not so much. Being "positive" does not mean blindly accepting every aspect of something, and ignoring its (many) faults. I am a supporter, NOT a cheerleader. Learn the difference.
My responses are long, because my positions are complex. I respond in great detail out of COURTESY (google that, too) to others, so that they can know, precisely, the basis of my reasoning. I hope that clarifies things for you.
So, less than "10000000" words this time, but, as always, every last one was pure gold.
First off, humblest apologies to Emily for the "aghast" comment. That was intended for "Just Queen, not High Queen"
("I love the movies, even a little more than the books").
Yes, I occasionally make mistakes, and am happy to correct them when pointed out.
Anhun, that is beyond ridiculous and as offensive a thing as I've read here. Which is saying a lot. Other than to say that I thought you were above such things, it is not worth responding to further.
In other words, you can't think of a proper counter-argument. What am I above exactly? Disagreeing with offensive remarks?
If the following quote: "God wants us to seek and find the truth. You don’t do that by accepting everything at face value, and by not seeking to improve things if there’s a chance to." in the context of this particular conversation does not imply that artistic complacency is ungodly, what does it imply?
You people take things WAY too personally.I say one little thing about how " Doesnt Lucys smile in that scene look kinda goofy?", then you jump all over me saying " All you see is a goofy smile", " And your just a huge LOTR fan who wants to bag on Narnia". Whoa. Just relax a little. Does it matter that muych? Its not like Im dissing your race, or you family or nationality, if I am I give you full permission to get mad. But this is about ONE scene in ONE (bad) movie.
Oh, and another thing, humble yourself Aslans country. Who do you thing you are to govern who is a "true Narnian", or whether or not I HATE Narnia, because of what I said. And you know what, if Non negotiable comment wants to have a 10000 word comment and use a proper sounding manner of speech he can. It doesnt make him any better then us or yourself. And if you think I dont have anything at all good to say about VDT, ask me I have some good things to say about it.
It means I'm tired of responding to your consistently WHACKO, delusional interpretations of what I mean. This is a tired refrain from you. You see things that aren't there, and use the embarrassingly lazy excuse of: "he subtly implied it, blah, blah, blah, waaaaaahhh….". Everything with you is speculation.
Move to dismiss, your Honor.
That quote means exactly what I said. In all things, seek truth, and question everything. In science, in art, in life. Everything. What makes someone else happy is none of my business. But, surely, you'd want to examine more than the positives before you arrive at "happy"? It's COMMON SENSE. Do I believe common sense is a gift from God? Absolutely. How you could possibly extract some sort of pious, exclusionary bigotry on my behalf, based on THAT, is ludicrous. I've never preached to anyone here, and I have always evaluated these films, first and foremost as FILMS, not as Bible tracts. Here's a quote from Aslan's Country!:
"Christianity is having faith and i think this movie is what they were trying to show."
This person is either a Christian, or, at the least, is familiar with Christianity, in some regard. My point to him/her is that faith comes FROM seeking (questioning), first. I was trying to relate MY compulsion to criticize these films in a manner that I hoped s/he could relate to AS A CHRISTIAN. I was NOT, IN ANY WAY, saying "that people who don’t criticize the movies are ungodly". Seriously? What? I've never, EVER made that sort of judgement, nor have I ever claimed to be better than anyone else.
I know you don't like the things I say. Fair enough. But that's a really low tactic, trying to twist my words into something that ugly, and I just don't see why you would do something like that.
"The God I worship" is the one who tells us to forgive hurtful, unwarranted allegations like the one you made. I will. Thankfully, He doesn't expect us to waste our time arguing crazy, speculative nonsense. I won't.
What are you above? Not much, apparently. As I said, I do, occasionally, make mistakes. You are one.
OH COME ON YOU GUYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just take a second to think how terribly BORING Narniaweb would be if everyone had the same opinion!
How about this: We quit slamming each other up against the wall, and then part ways as unlikely friends? (Yes, I know, it's a Tangled line, but it seems to fit this situation)
Non Negotiable: I personally like your 100000000 etc. comments and your correct grammar. Please don't stop the good grammar! Plus, what denomination are you? Oh, and "faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1.
Aslan's Country!: I am going to say this as nicely as possible… Please stop criticizing those of us who disagree with some parts of the film. Just because we have issues with VDT doesn't mean we completely HATE the movie. I really like that you have a contrasting opinion with Non N, it makes things have more 'oomph' to them.
Just stop arguing, please.
(and please, please don't slam me against the wall!)
As far as using correct grammer i get on here and post what i think without double checking due to my busy schedule. so sorry about my horrible spelling and bad grammer sometimes!
Non-negotiable Comment- You just seem like a very negative person, im not sure how we got so off topic and are now addressing each other instead of Narnia but here is my opinion. I call you not a true Narnian because all you do is say negative things. I read your words and after i feel negative instead of when i read others posts that build me up. Im sorry i made fun of your 1000000000000 word comments that was wrong. But i still feel you should stop getting so worked up about how horrible the movie is and try and look for some good. A part of a song? a scene? a charatcter? There is enough bad in this world that i have taught my brain to really focus on the good. Ya the green evil natzi mist was a bit much and i was confused by it at first. So i hold on to what i do know and that is looking for the good in things even this movie everyone despises called VDT. So you can feel free to attack me again and drag along your sidekick dylan who is also very negative but just know this…. In my opinion Narnians are of peace. In my opinion Narnians look for the good in things and in what they have been given. In my opinion you guys need to relax, and say a few things positive. In my opinion its not easy being a true narnian and i have not said that i am this perfect Narnian True fan. no. i have not. but i know what one is when i see it, and its what i strive to be.
Anhun- You are awesome and i agree with what you have said about Non
EVERYONE- Im not "governerning" who is a true narnia its just my opinion. Sorry if someone is dissing narnia and making jokes about it that i cant help but to say WOW! I thought this was Narniaweb act like a true Narnian, thats just my own opinion! no duh its not the law come on guys.
Hiking Peter- I like your style, way to promote peace like a true narnian (my opinion) Im not looking to throw anyone against the wall i just voice my opinion. Its like texting, you dont know if someone is pissed off screaming or just laughing. I agree that we all need to relax however im sure NON will need some assistance with this. peace? whats this? ha ha
Hey, Aslan's country! Since you've been talking about being a true Narnian fan. What exactly does that look like? I'm only curious, really. Because I thought that to be a Narnian fan you just had to love the books, the movies, the actors, C.S. Lewis, and things like that. If you'll remember, Nikabrik was a Narnian but he certainly didn't share the beliefs of the other Narnians. However that didn't make him any less Narnian.
Non N, I must agree only partly with Aslan's country about your attitude. I'm not saying that you should quit writing with excellent grammar and longer than life comments, because I like your opinion. Somehow, it seems to me, that you think that to be non-negotiable you have to appear a little … aloof and proper all the time. You can be non-negotiable without appearing cold. But keep up that grammar, man! It's always easy to understand you!
Calm yourself, Dylan my friend. Just because you don't agree with Aslan's country doesn't mean we all don't and are all against you. I would be pretty mad too if I found people typing about me like that.
But I would suggest that ALL OF YOU don't reply immediately to other comments that suggest that they're trying to beat you down. Whenever that happens to me, I usually walk away for a while, do some work around the house and think up a "non-negotiable yet intriguing" reply. (no pun intended) Why not try that? Maybe I'm right! (or just weird) That way we're not hurting everyone's feelings.
(Because hey! that's what bullies and meanies do!)
Okay, maybe our immaturaty is showing, and we need to calm it with the banter. I can see how, Aslans country and Anhun can see how Non is just a tiny bit condescending, but to go about acting as if he is the biggest jerk in the world is a little bit much. Now, i am not anybodies side kick, if somebody is being put down for no good reason at all, i will go to their defense. so dont act as if I am anyones sidekick, I dont want to come across that way.
Aslans BFF- This is my opinion on the matter, i agree that nikabrik is narnian. However i dont think he was being his true narnian self the way Aslan intended him to be, i mean he tried to bring the white which Jadis back to life! He seemed very negative and his deeds didnt help his cause. Well now you can look at Puddleglum from SC. He had negative remarks but his deeds were of honor to Aslan. Being helpful, providing, keeping the faith, lightening the mood. Even then when you an look at his "negative" remarks you can see that he is just being PRACTICLE. After all he is based off of C.S. Lewis's practicle gardner. Anyways sorry to go off with info, my point is in my own personal opinion a "true Narnian fan" is someone who finds the good and strives to be good! There are many other things like someone who has faith someone who is always looking to provide help. To me a "true Narnian fan" goes beyond just loving the books and the movie. I will be bold and sorry if anyone takes offense to this but to me a true Narnian is someone who is trying to be a true christian. So just because i go out and buy a Narnia book and put a poster on my wall that makes me a true Narnian fan? no. it does not in MY OPINION. I hope this made sense. Now one more time just so we are clear… this is my opinion not anything else.
Aslans country, you have blown this one way out of proportion. To quote you from your above comments " A true Narnian fam feels the magic in that scene". So, because I did not "feel the magic" in that scene, that makes me not a true Narnia fan, and not a Christian (which I am by the way).
Dylan—Did you mean maturity or immaturity? It looks like immaturity.
Aslan's Country—Thank you so much for the clear up! I can see now that I am not a true Narnian because I don't /always/ strive to be nice and honorable. Don't ever be afraid to share your opinion on Narniaweb!
Point well made.
Thank you for clearing that up Aslans country.
I've addressed most of your concerns in a comment on the next page. Sorry, I meant to post it here, but I hit the wrong "reply" button. I hope that puts an end to this.
Dylan- First off are you kidding me? Want to talk about blowing something out of proportion look at what you said. What i ment was a true narnian fan trys to feel the magic. MY OPINION! If you could not feel it, i am sorry for you. I never said you werent a christian! wow! All i said was striving to be a true narnian fan has alot to do with striving to be a good christian. So you need to understand i never said anything about you in this comment.
Ok, lets just end this. This argument is done.
Those that DO NOT like the soundtrack. Listen to- High King and Queen of Narnia ( bringing in the origianal theme) Also the song Aslan Appears has the theme as well. As far as the other songs go listen to Reepicheep and The Calm Before the Storm. David Arnold did an amazing job of staying true to the Narnia theme song and then adding his own stuff. I think he did very well especially with the song Reepicheep, wow that sound gives me chills everytime!
when I listen to High King and Queen of Narnia, then I listen to VDTs main theme, there is such a drastic difference in the style of the movies and soundtrack, that it almost seems like its not part of the series.
i agree, dylan. i noticed that right away.
Its was a differant story/book, im glad they added differant feeling music to match the setting. It matched for me at least. Im sorry you guys didnt like it that must suck.
Does anyone know the difference between the C.S. Lewis Estate, the C.S. Lewis Company, and the C.S. Lewis Foundation???
Hmmmm… let me think. One is an estate, the other one is a company, and the other a foundation. So there you go!
har har
Im sorry, I couldnt help it.
But what does that mean??? What are they????????
I really dont know.
Laugh laugh, good point Dylan!
I mean really, cant they just stick to one name.
Well, then it would be understandable. (and they don't want that!)
The C.S.Lewis Estate basically became the C.S.Lewis Co, but is still often referred to as the Estate (largely led by Mr Gresham).
The Foundation seems to be a non profit organisation that seeks to encourage people to read, study and enjoy Lewis's writing.