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The Chronicles of Narnia
The Chronicles of Narnia
	Official film series logo
Directed by	Andrew Adamson (1-2); Michael Apted (3)
Screenplay by	Ann Peacock (1); Andrew Adamson (1-2); Christopher Markus (1-3); Stephen McFeely (1-3); Michael Petroni (3)
Based on	The Chronicles of Narnia; by C. S. Lewis
Produced by	Mark Johnson (1-3); Philip Steuer (1-3); Andrew Adamson (2-3)
Starring	Georgie Henley; Skandar Keynes; William Moseley; Anna Popplewell; Ben Barnes; Will Poulter; Tilda Swinton; Liam Neeson
Cinematography	Donald McAlpine (1); Karl Walter Lindenlaub (2); Dante Spinotti (3)
Edited by	Sim Evan-Jones (1-2); Rick Shaine (3)
Music by	Harry Gregson-Williams (1-2); David Arnold (3)
Production; companies	Walden Media (1-3); Fox 2000 Pictures (3); Walt Disney Pictures (1-2)
Distributed by	20th Century Fox (3); Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures (1-2)
Release dates	1: 9 December 2005; 2: 16 May 2008; 3: 10 December 2010
Running time	406 minutes (1-3)
Countries	United Kingdom; United States
Language	English
Budget	Total (3 films):; $560 million
Box office	Total (3 films):; $1,580,364,900

The Chronicles of Narnia is one fantasy film series and media franchise based on The Chronicles of Narnia, a series of novels by C. S. Lewis. 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 franchise also includes short films, digital series, and video games.

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 collectively grossed over $1.5 billion worldwide. Although critical and commerical reception declined with each release. The first two films were directed by Andrew Adamson and the third film was directed by Michael Apted. Plans for a fourth film were abandoned when it was announced in 2018 that new adaptations would be made for Netflix.^[1]

Development

C. S. Lewis did not sell 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.^[a]^{[failed verification]} Only after seeing a demo reel of CGI animals did Douglas Gresham, Lewis's stepson and eventual literary executor, give approval for a film adaptation.

Although the plan was originally to produce the films in the same order as the books were published, 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 in an attempt to reboot the series, after The Voyage of the Dawn Treader grossed less than 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 said that it was not yet in development.^[3]

In October 2011, Gresham stated that Walden Media's contract with the C. S. Lewis estate had expired and suggested that Walden Media's lapse in renegotiating their contract with the C. S. Lewis estate was due to conflicts between the 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 announced that The Chronicles of Narnia: The Silver Chair was officially in pre-production.^[5]

Films

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

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 DVD on 4 April 2006 and grossed over $745 million worldwide.

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008)

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

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 January 2009, it was announced that Fox 2000 Pictures would replace Disney for future installments, but because of the acquisition of 21st Century Fox, Disney now owns the rights to all films. 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

William Moseley as Peter Pevensie, title: High King Peter the Magnificent, the eldest Pevensie child and the High King of Narnia during the Golden Age.
Anna Popplewell as Susan Pevensie, title: Queen Susan the Gentle, the elder Pevensie child and a High Queen of Narnia during the Golden Age.
Skandar Keynes as Edmund Pevensie, title: King Edmund the Just; the younger Pevensie child and a King of Narnia during the Golden Age.
Georgie Henley as Lucy Pevensie, title: Queen Lucy the Valiant, the youngest Pevensie child and a Queen of Narnia during the Golden Age.
Will Poulter as Eustace Scrubb, the Pevensie children's arrogant cousin.

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 creation.
Tilda Swinton as Jadis, the White Witch; the former queen of Charn and a witch who ruled Narnia 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.
James McAvoy as Mr. Tumnus in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
Ray Winstone as the voice of Mr. Beaver in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
Dawn French as the voice of Mrs. Beaver in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
Peter Dinklage as Trumpkin in Prince Caspian.

Table of the recurring cast

List indicators

This section includes characters who will appear or have appeared in more than two films in the series.

An empty grey cell indicates the character was not in the film, or that the character's official presence has not yet been confirmed.
^C indicates a cameo role.
^O indicates an older version of the character.
^V indicates a voice-only role.

Role	The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe	Prince Caspian	The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
Children
Lucy Pevensie	Georgie Henley Rachael Henley^O	Georgie Henley
Edmund Pevensie	Skandar Keynes Mark Wells^O	Skandar Keynes
Peter Pevensie	William Moseley Noah Huntley^O	William Moseley	William Moseley^C
Susan Pevensie	Anna Popplewell Sophie Winkleman^O	Anna Popplewell	Anna Popplewell^C
Other main characters
Aslan	Liam Neeson^V
Jadis the White Witch	Tilda Swinton	Tilda Swinton^C
Prince Caspian X		Ben Barnes
Reepicheep		Eddie Izzard^V	Simon Pegg^V

Crew

Role	Film
	The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe	Prince Caspian	The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
	2005	2008	2010
Director(s)	Andrew Adamson		Michael Apted
Producer(s)	Mark Johnson & Phillip Steuer	Mark Johnson, Andrew Adamson & Phillip Steuer
Writer(s)	Ann Peacock, Andrew Adamson, Stephen McFeely & Christopher Markus	Andrew Adamson, Stephen McFeely & Christopher Markus	Michael Petroni, Stephen McFeely & Christopher Markus
Composer(s)	Harry Gregson-Williams		David Arnold
Cinematographer(s)	Donald McAlpine	Karl Walter Lindenlaub	Dante Spinotti
Editor(s)	Jim May & Sim Evan-Jones	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

The series grossed over $1.5 billion worldwide, but critical and commercial reception diminished with each film.

Film	Release date	Box office gross			All-time ranking		Budget	Reference
Film	Release date	North America	Other territories	Worldwide	North America	Worldwide	Budget	Reference
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	$220 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	$150 million	^[9]
Total		$537,719,397	$1,042,645,503	$1,580,364,900			$560 million	^[10]^[11]

Critical response

Film	Rotten Tomatoes	Metacritic	CinemaScore^[12]
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe	75% (217 reviews)^[13]	75 (39 reviews)^[14]	A+
Prince Caspian	66% (194 reviews)^[15]	62 (34 reviews)^[16]	A-
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader	50% (167 reviews)^[17]	53 (33 reviews)^[18]	A-

Future

Cancelled The Silver Chair adaptation

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 agreed with The Mark Gordon Company to adapt 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 of 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 Pictures and Entertainment One was set to 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 reboot

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] With this announcement, all previously announced plans for The Silver Chair were superseded.^[27]^[28]^[29]^[30]

References

Footnotes

^ His 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