A new 'Chronicles of Narnia' every May through 2013?

Mark Johnson, producer of "The Chronicles of Narnia" series, made what sounded like an impossible promise during a Comic-Con panel devoted to the sequel "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian."

"Every May, starting this May 2008," Disney will release new "Narnia" films based on the C.S. Lewis fantasy novels, Johnson said. The "Narnia" production company plans to start shooting "Voyage of the Dawn Treader," the third film in the seven-book series, in late January or February with an anticipated release date of May 2009.

Director Andrew Adamson does not plan to return for more films after "Voyage."

The next three books follow the adventures of Prince Caspian. Ben Barnes, the actor who plays the young royal, was introduced for the first time publicly via satellite: He and Adamson are in Prague where the production is 106 days into shooting with 30 to 40 to go.

-- Sheigh Crabtree

Photo: from left, Barnes and Adamson, via satellite from Prague