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.
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);)
John Williams would be the best choice for music 🙂
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 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.
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.
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.
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…
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.
Thanks Avra! Im glad you agree with me. =)
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
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
That's actually a huge relief, though I knew it was true, I just neede someone to point it out
Totally agree Anhun
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!
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."
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.
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.
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.
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;)
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.
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???
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.
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.
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.
i think you are right on the money, dark forces will fight to stop narnia.
at least we have 3 films to watch, imjust glad to have all the pevensie books filmed, that was my main concern.
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.
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.
There is NO WAY to justify the horrific cost of that film. Period.
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.
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.
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 think the executors of the estate have backstabbed cs lewis and doug gresham.
have you ever listened to famiy radio theatres' narnia? they are great radio plays and accurate.
i wasnt talking about will polter.
i hear walden was trying to keep it more christian.
conflict drives movies better, that's why they changed it
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.
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? 🙁
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.
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.
I actually found VDT to be the slowest read. HHB and Silver Chair were very fun to read for me.
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.
Wait what the hec???? Sorry i think I replied to the wrong comment. Sorry about that.
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.
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?
What is it?
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.
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".
Oh well. We'll have to wait for the movies. Up side is MORE TIME ON NARNIAWEB!!!!!!!!
Thanks Dylan!
Were you expecting anything like this, glumpuddle?
By the way, I really liked your video!
Youre welcome!
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.
Ya i agree with you =)
No, the Green witch is everything but unique. First of all,, they never describe her origins, shes way too blah of a character.
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!
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 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!
Yes, I like them a good deal, and have all of them.