The Chronicles of Narnia (film series)

The Chronicles of Narnia series of films is based on The Chronicles of Narnia, a series of novels by C. S. Lewis. From the seven books, three were adapted —The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005), Prince Caspian (2008) and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010) - which grossed over $1.5 billion worldwide. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Silver Chair Is set to be released in 2020.

The Chronicles of Narnia
Directed byAndrew Adamson (1–2)
Michael Apted (3)
Produced byMark Johnson (1–3)
Philip Steuer (1–3)
Andrew Adamson (2–3)
Screenplay byAnn Peacock (1)
Andrew Adamson (1–2)
Christopher Markus (1–3)
Stephen McFeely (1–3)
Michael Petroni (3)
Based onThe Chronicles of Narnia
by C. S. Lewis
StarringGeorgie Henley
Skandar Keynes
William Moseley
Anna Popplewell
Ben Barnes
Will Poulter
Tilda Swinton
Liam Neeson
Music byHarry Gregson-Williams (1–2)
David Arnold (3)
CinematographyDonald McAlpine (1)
Karl Walter Lindenlaub (2)
Dante Spinotti (3)
Edited bySim Evan-Jones (1–2)
Rick Shaine (3)
Production
company
Distributed by
Release date
1: 9 December 2005
2: 16 May 2008
3: 10 December 2010
Running time
406 minutes (1–3)
CountryUnited Kingdom
United States
LanguageEnglish
BudgetTotal (3 films):
$560 million
Box officeTotal (3 films):
$1,580,364,900

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 Queen Jadis).

The first two films were directed by Andrew Adamson and the third film was directed by Michael Apted. A fourth film was to be directed by Joe Johnston, but it was announced in 2018 that new adaptations of the series would be made for Netflix.[1]

Development

C. S. Lewis never sold the film rights to the Narnia series during his lifetime, as he was skeptical that any cinematic adaptation could render the more fantastical elements and characters of the story realistically.[lower-alpha 1] 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 rumoured 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.[2] 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.[3]

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.[4]

On 1 October 2013, The C. S. Lewis Company announced a partnership with The Mark Gordon Company, and that The Chronicles of Narnia: The Silver Chair was officially in pre-production.[5]

Films

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)
Main article: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, based on the 1950 novel of the same title, is the first film in the series. Directed by Andrew Adamson, it was shot mainly in New Zealand, though locations were used in Poland, the Czech Republic and the United Kingdom.

The story follows the four British Pevensie siblings, who are evacuated during the Blitz to the countryside, where they 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 placed Narnia in an eternal winter.

The film was released theatrically on 9 December 2005 and on DVD on 4 April 2006 and grossed over $745 million worldwide.

Prince Caspian (2008)
Main article: The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

Prince Caspian, based on the 1951 novel of the same title, is the second film in the series and the last distributed by Walt Disney Pictures.

The story follows the same Pevensie children who were transported to Narnia in the previous film as they return to Narnia, where 1,300 years have passed and the land has been invaded by the Telmarines. The four Pevensie children aid Prince Caspian in his struggle for the throne against his corrupt uncle, King Miraz.

The film was released on 16 May 2008. It grossed $419 million worldwide.

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010)
Main article: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, based on the 1952 novel of the same title, is the first film in the series not to be co-produced by Disney, who dropped out over a budget dispute with Walden Media. In February 2009 it was announced that 20th Century Fox would replace Disney for future installments, though in March 2019, Disney acquired 20th Century Fox, which means they now own the rights to all three movies in the Narnia film series. Directed by Michael Apted, 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 Scrubb. They join Caspian, now king of Narnia, in his quest to rescue seven lost lords and save Narnia from a corrupting evil that resides on a dark island.[6]

The film was released on 10 December 2010 (in RealD 3D in select theatres) and grossed over $415 million worldwide.

Main cast

Children

Other main 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 (Also known as "Prince Caspian"), the Telmarine prince who becomes King of Narnia after overthrowing his evil uncle Miraz.
  • Eddie Izzard and Simon Pegg as the voice of Reepicheep in Prince Caspian and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, respectively: the noble and courageous mouse who fights for Aslan and the freedom of Narnia.

Crew
Role Film
The Chronicles of Narnia:
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe		 The Chronicles of Narnia:
Prince Caspian		 The Chronicles of Narnia:
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
2005 2008 2010
Director(s) Andrew Adamson Michael Apted
Producer(s) Mark Johnson and Phillip Steuer Mark Johnson, Andrew Adamson and Phillip Steuer
Writer(s) Ann Peacock, Andrew Adamson, Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely Andrew Adamson, Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely and Michael Petroni
Composer(s) Harry Gregson-Williams David Arnold
Cinematographer(s) Donald McAlpine Karl Walter Lindenlaub Dante Spinotti
Editor(s) Sim Evan-Jones and Jim May Sim Evan-Jones Rick Shaine
U.S. release date 9 December 2005 16 May 2008 10 December 2010
Distributor(s) Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures 20th Century Fox

Reception

Box office performance
Film Release date Box office gross All-time ranking Budget Ref.
North America Other territories Worldwide North America Worldwide
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe December 9, 2005 (2005-12-09) $291,710,957 $453,302,158 $745,013,115 78 86 $180 million [7]
Prince Caspian May 16, 2008 (2008-05-16) $141,621,490 $278,044,078 $419,665,568 363 236 $225 million [8]
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader December 10, 2010 (2010-12-10) $104,386,950 $311,299,267 $415,686,217 621 238 $155 million [9]
Total $537,719,397 $1,042,645,503 $1,580,364,900 $560 million [10][11]

Critical and public response
Film Rotten Tomatoes Metacritic CinemaScore
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe 76% (217 reviews)[12] 75 (39 reviews)[13] A+[14]
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian 67% (192 reviews)[15] 62 (34 reviews)[16] A−[14]
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader 50% (166 reviews)[17] 53 (33 reviews)[18] A−[14]

Future

The Silver Chair

After Walden Media's contract of the series' film rights expired in 2011, The C. S. Lewis Company announced on 1 October 2013 that it had entered into an agreement with The Mark Gordon Company to produce an adaptation of the 1953 novel 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.[5] On 5 December 2013, it was announced that David Magee would write the screenplay.[19] 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 was to be selected by Mark Gordon and David Magee for use in the final script of The Silver Chair.[20]

The film's producers have called the film a reboot in reference to the fact that the film has a new creative team not associated with those who worked on the previous three films.[21][22] On 9 August 2016, it was announced that Sony's TriStar Productions and Entertainment One Films will finance and distribute the fourth film with The Mark Gordon Company (which eOne owns) and The C. S. Lewis Company.[23] In April 2017, it was announced that Joe Johnston had been hired to direct The Silver Chair.[24] During an interview with Red Carpet News TV, producer Mark Gordon revealed scarce details about the new technologies and setting that would be used for the upcoming film.[25]

Netflix Series

On 3 October 2018, it was announced that Netflix and the C. S. Lewis Company had made a multi-year agreement to develop a new series of film and TV adaptations of The Chronicles of Narnia.[26] This announcement was interpreted as superseding previously announced plans for The Silver Chair.[27][28] On 12 June 2019, it was announced that Matthew Aldrich will serve as the creative architect and oversee the development of Narnia films and television for Netflix.[29]

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See also

References

Footnotes

  1. A general dislike of cinema is 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

Citations

  1. "Netflix to develop series and films based on C.S. Lewis' beloved THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA". Netflix Media Center. Retrieved 2019-05-05.
  2. Moring, Mark (April 7, 2011). "The Lion, the Witch, and the Box Office". Christianity Today. Retrieved May 1, 2011.
  3. "'Narnia': Walden, Fox in discussions on 'The Magician's Nephew'". Inside movies. EW. 23 Oct 2011.
  4. "Gresham Shares Plans for Next Narnia Film". Narnia Web. May 2012.
  5. "Fourth "Chronicles of Narnia" Movie in Works from Mark Gordon Co". Deadline. Oct 2013.
  6. Alexonx (10 November 2010). "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader-Spectacular trailer". filmissimo.it. Archived from the original on 2012-03-14. Retrieved 10 November 2010.
  7. "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2012-08-18.
  8. "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2012-08-18.
  9. "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2012-08-18.
  10. "The Chronicles of Narnia Movies at the Box Office". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
  11. "'Narnia' Vs. 'Narnia'". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
  12. "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
  13. "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
  14. "Cinema score". Retrieved 21 February 2015.
  15. "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
  16. "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
  17. "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
  18. "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
  19. "'Narnia' Sequel Taps David Magee to Write Script". The Wrap. 5 July 2013. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  20. "Enter The Silver Chair Movie Contest!". Narnia.com.
  21. Foutch, Haleigh (12 January 2016). "Chronicles of Narnia: The Silver Chair to Reboot the Franchise". Collider. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  22. Trendacosta, Katharine (12 January 2016). "With This Chronicles of Narnia News, the Word 'Reboot' Is Officially Gibberish". io9. Gawker Media. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  23. Fleming, Jr, Mike (9 August 2016). "TriStar, Mark Gordon & eOne Revive 'The Chronicles Of Narnia' With 'The Silver Chair'". Deadline. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  24. Kroll, Justin (26 April 2017). "'Captain America' Director Joe Johnston Boards 'Narnia' Revival 'The Silver Chair'". Variety. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  25. Casiple, Necta (11 October 2017). "'The Chronicles of Narnia: The Silver Chair' update: Mark Gordon drops teasers about setting and visual effects". Christian Today. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  26. Otterson, Joe (October 3, 2018). "'Chronicles of Narnia' Series, Films in the Works at Netflix". Variety. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  27. Andreeva, Nellie (3 October 2018). "Netflix to Develop 'The Chronicles of Narnia' TV Series & Films". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 28 December 2018.
  28. Hibberd, James (3 October 2018). "The Chronicles of Narnia being made into new movies by Netflix". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 28 December 2018.
  29. Schwartz, Terri (June 12, 2019). "Netflix's Chronicles of Narnia Reboot Hires Its 'Creative Architect'". IGN. Retrieved June 16, 2019.
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