The Chronicles of Narnia (film series) The Chronicles of Narnia is a series of fantasy
films from Walden Media based on The Chronicles of Narnia, a series of novels written by C.
S. Lewis. From the seven novels, there have been three film adaptations so far—The Lion,
the Witch and the Wardrobe , Prince Caspian and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader which have
grossed over $1.5 billion worldwide among them.
Films The series revolves around the adventures
of children in the fictional world of Narnia, guided by Aslan, a wise and powerful lion
that can speak and is the true king of Narnia. Most of the children featured in the films
are the Pevensie siblings, and a prominent antagonist is the White Witch (also known
as Jadis). The first two films were directed by Andrew Adamson and the third film is the
first of the Chronicles to be released in RealD 3D. It was directed by Michael Apted.
The series is the 25th highest-grossing film series of all time.
Development C. S. Lewis never sold the film rights to
the Narnia series, as he was skeptical that any cinematic adaptation could render the
more fantastical elements and characters of the story realistically. Only after seeing
a demo reel of CGI animals did Douglas Gresham (Lewis's stepson and literary executor, and
film co-producer) give approval for a film adaptation.
Although the plan was originally to produce the films in the same order as the book series'
original publication, it was reported that The Magician's Nephew, which recounts the
creation of Narnia, would be the fourth feature film in the series, instead of The Silver
Chair. It was rumored that The Magican's Nephew was chosen as an attempt to reboot the series,
as after the release of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader grossed less when compared to
the two previous films. In March 2011, Walden Media confirmed that they intended The Magician's
Nephew to be next in the series, but stressed that it was not yet in development.
In October 2011, Douglas Gresham stated that Walden Media's contract with the C. S. Lewis
estate had expired, hinting that Walden Media's lapse in renegotiating their contract with
the C. S. Lewis estate was due to internal conflicts between both companies about the
direction of future films. Although there is currently a moratorium on
the film rights, on October 1, 2013, The C.S. Lewis Company announced that The Chronicles
of Narnia: The Silver Chair was officially in pre-production.
Films The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, based on the novel with the same title, is the first
official film in the series. Directed by Andrew Adamson, the films was shot mainly in New
Zealand, though locations were used in Poland, the Czech Republic and England.
The story follows four British children who are evacuated during the Blitz to the countryside
and find a wardrobe that leads to the fantasy world of Narnia; there, they must ally with
the lion Aslan against the forces of the White Witch, who has the world under an eternal
winter. The film was released theatrically starting
on December 9, 2005. The film grossed over $745 million worldwide, making it the 44th
highest grossing film worldwide of all time. Prince Caspian (2008)
Prince Caspian, based on the novel with the same title, is the second official film in
the series. The story follows four British children who
were transported to Narnia in the previous film returning to Narnia and finding out that
over 1300 years have passed and the land has been invaded by Telmarines. The four Pevensie
children (William Moseley, Anna Popplewell, Skandar Keynes, and Georgie Henley) return
to aid Prince Caspian (Ben Barnes) in his struggle for the throne against his corrupt
uncle, King Miraz (Sergio Castellitto). This is the last film to be distributed by Walt
Disney Pictures The film was released on May 16, 2008. It
grossed $419 million worldwide and was considered a moderate success.
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010) The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, based on the
novel with the same title, is the third official film in the series. This is the first film
not co-produced by Disney, as they chose not to produce the film after a budget dispute
with Walden Media who later then negotiated with 20th Century Fox to replace Disney for
future installments. Directed by Michael Apted (replacing Andrew Adamson, who directed the
previous two films), the movie was filmed almost entirely in Australia.
The story follows the two younger Pevensie children as they return to Narnia with their
cousin, Eustace. They join the new king of Narnia, Caspian, in his quest to rescue seven
lost lords to save Narnia from a corrupting evil that resides on a dark island. This is
the last adventure Lucy and Edmund can have in Narnia as they are too old much like their
older brother and sister who are no longer able to return. Eustace is allowed to come
back. It was released on December 10, 2010 in RealD
3D in select theaters, along with its wide 2D release. It grossed over $415 million worldwide.
Future As there are seven books in The Chronicles
of Narnia, each book could potentially become a theatrical feature film.
After Walden Media's contract in regards to the series' film rights expired in 2011, it
was originally assumed that 2014 would be the earliest that production on another Narnia
film could begin, according to the moratorium placed on the C. S. Lewis estate's right to
sell the books' film option. However, in May 2012, Gresham confirmed that
technically any studio still has the option of making a Narnia film during the moratorium,
but without the involvement of Walden Media it cannot be released until 2018 at the earliest
(the actual end year of the moratorium). On October 1, 2013, The C.S. Lewis Company
announced that it has entered into an agreement with the Mark Gordon Company to produce The
Chronicles of Narnia: The Silver Chair. Mark Johnson and Douglas Gresham along with Vincent
Sieber, the Los Angeles based director of The C.S. Lewis Company, will serve as producers
and work with The Mark Gordon Company on developing the script. On December 5, 2013, it was confirmed
that David Magee will write the screenplay. Main cast
Children William Moseley as Peter Pevensie, title:
King Peter the Magnificent, the eldest Pevensie child and the High King of Narnia.
Anna Popplewell as Susan Pevensie, title: Queen Susan the Gentle, the elder Pevensie
girl and Queen of Narnia. Skandar Keynes as Edmund Pevensie, title:
King Edmund the Just, the younger Pevensie boy and King of Narnia.
Georgie Henley as Lucy Pevensie, title: Queen Lucy the Valiant, the youngest Pevensie child
and Queen of Narnia. Will Poulter as Eustace Scrubb, the Pevensie
children's cousin. Other recurring characters
Liam Neeson as the voice of Aslan, the magnificent and powerful lion who helps govern Narnia,
his own creation. He is the only character to appear in all of the books.
Tilda Swinton as Jadis, the White Witch, the former queen of Charn and a witch who ruled
Narnia after the events of The Magician's Nephew and during the events of The Lion,
the Witch and the Wardrobe. Ben Barnes as Caspian X, the Telmarine prince
who becomes King of Narnia after overthrowing his evil uncle Miraz.
Eddie Izzard and later Simon Pegg as the voice of Reepicheep, the noble and courageous mouse
who fights for Aslan and the freedom of Narnia. Izzard played the character in Prince Caspian,
and Pegg took over the role in The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.
Reception Critical reception