WALT DISNEY PICTURES AND WALDEN MEDIA BEGIN PRE-PRODUCTION ON THE
CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: PRINCE CASPIAN, NEXT BIG-SCREEN INSTALLMENT OF THE
NARNIA CHRONICLES; DIRECTOR ANDREW ADAMSON SET TO RETURN
Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media, in collaboration with Academy
Award®-nominated director Andrew Adamson, have begun pre-production on The
Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, the next big screen installment of
the Narnia Chronicles, and the follow-up to the international
blockbuster, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The
Wardrobe, it was announced today (2/2). The latter film, based on the
works of C. S. Lewis, has attracted legions of moviegoers all over the
world and has grossed in excess of $637.8 million to date at the worldwide
box office. It also received three Academy Award® nominations earlier this
week. Internationally, Narnia already ranks as Buena Vistas top
grossing live-action release of all-time (surpassing both Armageddon and
Pirates of the Caribbean) with its gross to date of $359.4
million. Domestically, the films gross currently stands at $278 million
and has already established itself as the Studios third highest-grossing
live-action film of all-time. The film is on track to become Buena Vistas
all-time live-action champ, surpassing Pirates of the Caribbeans
worldwide gross of $655 million.
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, will reunite most of the
principal cast and creative team responsible for The Chronicles of Narnia:
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. Andrew Adamson (Shrek, Shrek 2)
will reprise his role as director, in addition to serving as a producer,
and co-writer (in collaboration with Christopher Markus and Steve
McFeeley). Production is set to begin later this year for a Christmas 2007
release. Prince Caspian finds the Pevensie siblings pulled back into the
land of Narnia, where a thousand years have passed since they left. The
children are once again enlisted to join the colorful creatures of Narnia
in combating an evil villain who prevents the rightful Prince from ruling
the land. Prince Caspian was first published in 1951, and is the second
book in the seven-book series written by Lewis. It was intended as a
continuation of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. Lewis The
Chronicles of Narnia have sold over 100 million copies worldwide, and
continues to be one of the best loved and most popular series of all time.
Commenting on the announcement, Dick Cook, chairman of The Walt Disney
Studios, said, Were thrilled to be working with such a great director as
Andrew, and our friends at Walden Media, in bringing the next chapter of
the Narnia chronicles to the big screen. Moviegoers around the world
were unanimous in their love and enthusiasm for The Lion, The Witch and
The Wardrobe, and Prince Caspian offers lots of new thrills and
adventures in this magical land. The C. S. Lewis books are a rich source
of inspiration for great storytelling, and this book spotlights some
wonderful new heroes, and villains, along with many of the characters we
came to love so much in the first film.
Cary Granat, co-founder and CEO of Walden Media, added, Andrew Adamson,
who possesses an unparalleled passion and vision for the Narnia books,
brought C. S. Lewis world to life in an imaginative and exciting
way. With Prince Caspian, moviegoers will have an opportunity to revisit
the magic of Narnia, encountering exciting new creatures and lands within
Narnia alongside their favorite characters from these beloved books. Dick
Cook and Disney have been amazing partners on this project and we look
forward to working with them on this and other future installments in the
Narnia franchise.
Adamson said, Making The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe couldnt have
been a more rewarding experience, not just in terms of creative achievement
and audience response, but also because of the family we formed during
production. Prince Caspian not only gives me an opportunity to challenge
my imagination with another classic story, it also allows me to work
alongside the many talented artists who contributed to the first film, and
of course to collaborate again with The Pevensies, Georgie, Skandar,
Anna, and William.
Walden Media is a subsidiary of the Anschutz Film Group (AFG).
2/1/06
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