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The New NARNIA Movie Begins Filming

Its sounds awsome. Are there going to be any competitions for Australian residents because I’d love to see the set or something.

I have recently noticed an article on the new look Walden Media website.  It’s called The New NARNIA Movie Begins Filming and it was posted on Monday, 7/27/2009.  ‘Narnians’ might already realise this but the location mentioned for Voyage of the Dawn Treader has already been used in a previous Walden Media film.  The title in question is the 2008 film Nim’s Island.  I mention this because the location settings used in this film are shown on the bonus features of the DVD release.  If my hunch is correct these location settings for this next Narnia film should be really good looking even if the story itself does not turn out to be as good as the first film.  Incidentally, does it really matter if a little extra story is added to what was originally in the book?  If it enhances the story then that has to be a good thing.

I loved the first movie and liked the additiona of the blitz to help the newwer genereation to know the context of the story.  I was sorely disappointed with the changed in Prince Caspian I believe you lost the essense of the story by weakening the kids’ trust in Aslan.  It was weak.  I hope for the Dawn Treader to remain true to the original not only in themes but in the purpose of the story.  CS Lewis was an apologeticist.  These stories are an excelllent example of his creativity and faith and wisdom.  When we lose the purpose of Aslan and the kids’ relationship to and with him, then we lose the story no matter how well it is created on film.I love the Dawn Treader, but it is not about saving Narnia. It is a collection of unique character experiences and their walk or lack thereof with Aslan.  It is about temptation and fear, trust and love, faith and hope on a personal level not a national level.  I look forward to seeing the movie.  You have the talen to produce it well and I hope that you stay true.  Don’t fall into trying to make it a Hollywood blockbuster, stick to the story and the truth of it will shine and it will blow away the box office.  When you trust in the one who this story is about it WILL shine…..  God Bless.

brookerene:

The novel of Prince Caspian was about lack of faith during the transition to adulthood as well. In some ways that’s what makes it the darkest story, and I feel the film captured that essence perfectly. But here’s to Dawn Treader being an even bigger success!

Listen to this song “Hopes of Dreamers” and tell me what you think of it. It is the fan-made a cappella unfinished version inspired by Prince Caspian.
http://www.myspace.com/amsaric

Dear Walden Media,
This is one of my favorite books in the Narnia series, behind HHB and PC.  PLEASE, I am BEGGING you, DO NOT GO ASTRAY!!  There is no mention of danger in the book- Caspian even asks Edmund if he honestly thinks he’d leave Narnia on a voyage like that if his country WAS in peril! 

I LOVE what Walden Media has done with the first two movies.  LWW was perfect, and though the changes to PC somewhat annoyed me (Peter…-_-), I thought they were realistic, too (NOT THE RAID! XC Sorry, still a little sour about all of the Narnians that “HAD” to DIE… XC). 

Now, I have seen a change in this already- from the summary, there is NO DANGER… PLEASE stay true to the BOOK; THAT is what your devoted fans want, not invented scenes or OOC (out of character) characters!
                                                      Your friend,
                                                        NarniaWriterReader

NarniaWriterReader:

I’m just as excited to see The Dawn Treader, but per your comments on how there should be no element of danger in the film, I say that there needs to be that tension. As a screenwriter myself, please bear in mind that the lifeblood of screenplays (and finished films) is always conflict; that is the number one necessary ingredient you have to have in order to make something of interest from a narrative point of view, and this is one of the first lessons that is constantly reiterated in screenwriting classes.

Sure there is hardly any dramatic conflict in the book, but I trust that Walden and the production team will be able to suggest much tension without having to make up invented scenarios or characters. The focus on inner struggles of each character can and should be brought out for example, and much of that element will be up to how the director Michael Apted focuses his framing, shots, and editing rhythms.

I’m on the same page with you, but felt it should be noted that a film simply can’t exist (at least in a financially-successful model) without much conflict. However since I fully trust the production team based on their phenomenal track record thus far, I know they’ll be able to draw this element out without betraying the source. Let’s be thankful they didn’t decide to combine this story with one of the other tales, ala the BBC adaptation.

All I meant was for the plot of NARNIA being in danger to be abolished.  Really, I LOVE conflict and peril in movies, considering I LOVE when siblings (particularly the Pevensie siblings) have to protect each other, which can only result from conflict. ^_^ I didn’t like when Ed and Caspian almost got into a fight on Deathwater Island in the book, though it may just be too sensitive. XD

I love Walden and what they’ve done so far, too, but I’ve already seen some of their filming and plans, and they’re even introducing another character, a little girl potentially called “Sam”. There IS no little girl in the book (other than Lu, but she doesn’t exactly count), and that really has me upset, which provoked my first comment.  I trust them, too; or at least, I hope I can.  I have before! ^U^

lol. Yes, THANK GOODNESS.  IMHO, those BBC versions are horrid… Though, I DID adore how they stuck to the books so well! ^U^

NarniaWriterReader:

Thanks for clarifying; I hadn’t heard that a new female character is being introduced. That is indeed worrying, but I’ll continue to trust that they’re headed in the right direction. Thanks for the information!

I thought her name was Gael?

Anyway, there’s more to it. According to Ben Barnes “they’ve stolen a couple of ideas from some of the later [“Chronicles of Narnia”] books.”

He explains:

“[It’s] a very difficult book to adapt, because it’s very episodic. It’s chapter by chapter. They go on the voyage, they go to one island, a bit more voyage, another island, a bit more voyage, another island. It’s very satisfying to read; every chapter by chapter, it’s very exciting. But it has no real through line. And so they have to kind of steal other elements to sew it all together. I think they’ve done it in a really clever, unobtrusive way.”

I don’t know how you feel about it but I know I’m not too excited to hear this considering how I hope they will turn the other books into films…

That’s interesting; Since I know they’re planning to adapt all seven books I don’t mind if they bring some of those later elements to the fore a bit early, because anything that will give the series a clearer throughline will be most welcome to me. I agree with Ben Barnes that it’s fine for a book to be episodic in the fashion TDT is, but for the mass audiences Hollywood films reach, that’d be box-office poison.

lol. The little girl’s REAL name was Gail, but as far as I know, the girl’s name in the movie is Sam. Either that, or it’s the name of the sailor who jumped after the girl when she jumped overboard (Lucy screams it in the scene- I watched the scene myself as it was filmed—by way of an outside force). 

Mm…but, even then, there is no ‘Sam’ or ‘Gail’ in the books, even LB. So…who is this out-of-the-blue character?! XC It makes me SO WORRIED AND MAD…!

I PRAY they turn the other books into films, especially HHB and LB!  For HHB, though, I PRAY they use the people whom played the older Pevensies in LWW during the Golden Age!  They were PERFECT!! *U*

Oh, they are?!  All seven?! Really?! *U* Awesome!  I AM SO HAPPY!!! *U* *U* *U*

lol. Yes. If it WAS episodic, it would definitely be…awkward, but I hope they do a good job! *U*

You’re welcome. I read over my comment, and I see that I wasn’t very clear. Sorry. I think I was just angry and trusted that it would make sense… XD Apparently not.

Yes, they’re introducing another female character…someone named ‘Sam’. Either that, or that’s the name of the sailor that jumps after her when she jumps ship. Lucy yells that in the scene, so I’m not sure to whom she was calling, but that’s what happened in it.

I pray they’re headed in the right direction, too; they’ve assured us that they are, so…I suppose we’ll have to trust them! ^U^ You’re very welcome for the info!

Oh I see lol Anyway, I don’t think this character is really significant. If you’ve seen The Two Towers you will remember a part where a village is under attack and a mother is telling her two children to go away, that she will soon follow. We later see them reunited. It wasn’t in the book but I believe it was added in the film to make us see how hard it was for the actual people and not just their leaders. I think it’s the case here as well. I’m sorry I’m not good at explaining myself lol

I think it depends on the elements they choose to use. For instance, I always felt as though “saving Narnia from an unfathomable fate” was overshadowing The Last Battle. The truth is, it may not. I don’t know what they’re planning. I just can’t help being worried. I hope I’m wrong. I want to love this film and want non Narnia fans to love it even more so the remaining books are in turn made into films! Now what’s done is done so we’ll just have to see how it goes and hope for the best =)

Dear Walden,

I want to know that I wish you the best in making all of the C.S. Lewis’ Narnia books come to life for us on the silver screen.  Thank you for taking on this project.  Those of us who have grown up reading and loving these stories are very attached to them.  We want to love your movies as much as we love C. S. Lewis’ books.  We want our children to love them too.

Please be careful with your adaptation.  Please be faithful to the books. 

There is drama throughout this book.  Battles with terrifying creatures of the deep.  Dramatic sailing in horrific storms.  The thrilling terror of almost landing on an island where your worst nightmares are alive and waiting for you.  Battles being waged where they are completely outnumbered.  Kidnappings.  Dragons.  Invisible beings bent on using the crew for their own gains.  The foreboding of knowing that one will not return.  The munity of the crew.  And there are even more elements to work with that I have not mentioned.

As we being to celebrate the epic voyage of Christopher Columbus and his discovery; I just want to say that the voyage and the book itself have so much material to work with for the “box office” “required (?)” drama.  I can’t imagine that your writers and directors need even more material to show their brilliant ability.  I believe they can do a wonderful job with what is in the book without a need to add more.  Please don’t.

Thank you.