The Chronicles of Narnia (film series)

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The Chronicles of Narnia
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Based on The Chronicles of Narnia
by C. S. Lewis
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Music by <templatestyles src="Plainlist/styles.css"/>
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  • United Kingdom
  • United States
Language English
Budget $485 million
Box office $1.6 billion

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 (2005), Prince Caspian (2008) and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010) which have grossed over $1.5 billion worldwide among them.

The series revolves around the adventures of children in the world of Narnia, guided by Aslan, a wise and powerful lion that can speak and is the true king of Narnia. The children heavily 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 was directed by Michael Apted. The third film is the first of the Chronicles to be released in RealD 3D.[1] The fourth film is now being developed by Mark Gordon Company.

Development

C. S. Lewis never sold the film rights to the Narnia series during his lifetime, as he was sceptical that any cinematic adaptation could render the more fantastical elements and characters of the story realistically.[2] 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 Magician's Nephew was chosen as an attempt to reboot the series, after the release of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader grossed less when compared to the two previous films.[3] 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.[4]

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.[5]

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.[6]

Films

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)

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Main article: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

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 film was shot mainly in New Zealand, though locations were used in Poland, the Czech Republic and the United Kingdom.

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 and grossed over $745 million worldwide.

Prince Caspian (2008)

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Main article: The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

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 Narnia 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)

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Main article: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

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. In January 2009, it was announced that 20th Century Fox will 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.[7]

The film was released on December 10, 2010 in RealD 3D in select theaters, along with its wide 2D release and grossed over $415 million worldwide.

The Silver Chair

After Walden Media's contract of 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.

On October 1, 2013, The C.S. Lewis Company announced that it had entered into an agreement with the Mark Gordon Company to produce The Chronicles of Narnia: The Silver Chair, based on The Silver Chair. Mark Gordon and Douglas Gresham along with Vincent Sieber, the Los Angeles based director of The C.S. Lewis Company, would serve as producers and work with The Mark Gordon Company on developing the script.[6] On December 5, 2013, it was announced that David Magee would write the screenplay.[8]

In July 2014, the official Narnia website allowed the opportunity for fans to suggest names for the Lady of the Green Kirtle, the main antagonist. The winning name is to be selected by Mark Gordon and David Magee for use in the final script of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Silver Chair.[9]

The film is set to be a reboot with no affiliation to the previous films.[10]

Main cast

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Main article: List of Chronicles of Narnia cast members

Children

Other recurring characters

  • Liam Neeson as the voice of Aslan, the magnificent and majestically powerful lion who helps govern and maintain order in Narnia; a mystical world of his own creation. He is the only main character to appear in all seven books.
  • Tilda Swinton as Jadis, the White Witch; the former queen of Charn and a witch who ruled Narnia after being released in 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

Box office performance

Film Release date Box office gross Box office ranking Budget
(million)		 Ref
Opening weekend
(North America)		 North America Other territories Worldwide All time
North America		 All time
worldwide
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe December 9, 2005 $65,556,312 $291,710,957 $453,302,158 $745,013,115 #58 #61 $180 [11]
Prince Caspian May 16, 2008 $55,034,805 $141,621,490 $278,044,078 $419,665,568 #305 #184 $225 [12]
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader December 10, 2010 $24,005,069 $104,386,950 $311,299,267 $415,686,217 #546 #186 $155 [13]
Total $537719397 $1042645503 $1580364900 $560 [14][15]
Average $179.2 million $347.5 million $526.8 million

Critical and public response

Film Rotten Tomatoes Metacritic CinemaScore
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe 76% (209 reviews)[16] 75 (39 reviews)[17] A+[18]
Prince Caspian 67% (188 reviews)[19] 62 (34 reviews)[20] A-[18]
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader 49% (159 reviews)[21] 53 (33 reviews)[22] A-[18]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Disney opts out of 3rd 'Narnia' film
  2. ↑ A general dislike of cinema can be seen in Collected Letters, Vol. 2, a letter to his brother Warren on March 3, 1940, p. 361; see also All My Road Before Me, June 1, 1926, p. 405
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ 'Narnia': Walden, Fox in discussions on 'The Magician's Nephew'
  5. ↑ http://www.narniaweb.com/2012/05/gresham-shares-plans-for-next-narnia-film/
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Fourth ‘Chronicles Of Narnia’ Movie In Works From Mark Gordon Co
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ http://collider.com/chronicles-of-narnia-silver-chair-reboot/
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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