SubscribeBad news, Ben Barnes fans. 'Narnia' follow-up 'Dawn Treader' may sink
Disney and Walden Media have confirmed to the Hollywood Reporter that Disney will not co-produce/co-finance the next "Narnia" movie, "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader."
The third entry in the series, based on the classic works of C.S. Lewis, was set to start shooting in spring 2009 for a May 2010 release.
This puts the talent up for grabs. Michael Apted was to direct. "Prince Caspian's" Ben Barnes, Georgie Henley, William Moseley and Anna Popplewell were to return for the third film.
Walden has a relationship with the Lewis estate and will try to find "Treader" a new partner.
But partnership on a "Narnia" movie will require a chunk-a-change. "Caspian," filmed in the Czech Republic, Mexico and New Zealand, cost $200 million. "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" was shot mostly in New Zealand for $180 million.
Why did Disney bail? Could be as simple as investment versus potential return.
According to the Reporter, "Lion" jumped to $292 million domestically and an additional $453 million internationally in 2005. "Prince Caspian," however, grossed $141 million in North America and an additional $278 million internationally, far less than the "Lion's" share.
Plus, children’s fantasies aren't doing so well.
Remember "The Golden Compass."
Yeah, we wish we didn’t either.
More Barnes:
Photos of Ben Barnes as Dorian Gray
Photo: WireImage
The Golden Compass? Psh.. Narnia is far better than anything put forth by Pullman. He wrote His Dark Materials as an anti-Narnia and it shows.
Another bad move would be trying to turn the film into a Pirates of the Caribbean style movie, as comparisons would have been made with Dawn Treader being set on the High Seas. Here's hoping another studio takes the reigns and gives us the film series we want!
-Paul
NarniaFans.com
Posted by: NarniaFans.com | December 24, 2008 at 03:31 PM
I think Caspian made less money because it just wasn't as good as LW&W, the first movie was so stunning, you want to watch it again and again. I saw it twice in theaters and told everyone else to see it too. Caspian just isn't as good, and the dual scene is so horrible, don't they know you're not supposed to purposefully hit a mans shield with your sword?!
Posted by: edie | December 26, 2008 at 03:32 PM
My whole family was disappointed to read that the Dawn Treader may not be coming out. We were at the theater for both Narnia and Prince Caspian for opening day, and we purchased both for Christmas this year. We were really looking forward to the next installment in the Narnia series.
Posted by: Bridget | December 27, 2008 at 07:12 AM
Terrible news! Is no one brave enough or committed enough to do the whole series? "The Magician's Nephew" would be a stunner.
Posted by: Mike Mc | December 28, 2008 at 08:21 AM
Edie is correct the 2nd movie wasn't as good
Posted by: BillBigD | December 28, 2008 at 08:21 AM
prince caspian is an excellent film. it would've done better had it been released at christmas.
it is a great franchise. and walden will find a partner.
Posted by: michelle | December 28, 2008 at 08:24 AM
Narnia books are far better than Golden compass.Golden compass is crap
but
Narnia films are Great they are far better than Golden Compass.
Posted by: sachin | December 28, 2008 at 08:24 AM
I love the Chronicles of Narnia books and movies, but my question is why didn't they do the movies in the same order as the books? I personally think that they butchered Prince Caspian, they added things to the movie that where never even in the book, and twisted the plot and took stuff out. So I could see why they would have a problem getting enough money from other movies, since they didn't do Prince Caspian justice.
Posted by: Kellie | December 29, 2008 at 08:41 AM
Well, I for one was looking forward to The Last Battle.
Maybe FOX will get it.
Anyways, look at what disney has done to the power rangers... The super sentai are still better than our rangers...
And that's because of Disney - Sucking...
Posted by: JoeG | January 02, 2009 at 12:30 PM
I think that both movies where good, I'm happy that Disney is not going to do the Voyage of the Dawn, because maybe this time they'll do like the storyis in the book, because Disney changed lot of stuff and added some, I hope that Fox take the project of Narnia... Disney sucks !!! They'll going to have a good punch on the face later because they gava up to Narnia!!!:..
Posted by: Keren | January 06, 2009 at 02:47 PM
Prince Caspian was mostly horrible, IMO. I waited till it came to the dollar theatre to take my kids. I did not buy the DVD.
A romance between Susan and Caspian? The whole added "rush to the evil castle and let's get most of the good guys killed before we can escape" scene??
Ridiculous, despicable and totally unecessary. Waste of time. Made for quite the bad movie.
I'm glad Disney is out. I hope they find someone else who's committed to the beautiful, simply story of the original books, not some blown-up soap-opera version.
Posted by: Cees | January 10, 2009 at 02:02 PM
WTF Disney drops Narnia, but they re making Jonas Brother and Miley Cirius movies aggg..officially
Disney sucks. I would not go to see this movies even - incluide Prince of Persia yuck- if they ll paid me.
I hope Fox or WB pick up The Voyage of the Dawn Treader because i love the books.
Posted by: celine | January 15, 2009 at 11:55 AM
Very disappointed with Disney. I liked both Narnia films and was looking forward to "The voyage of the Dawn Treader". A very good book!
Maybe all fans should bye an extra "Prince Caspian" DVD, as presents. Good sales May encourage another company to take on the film!
Do hope Walden finds a new company!!!
Posted by: Liz | January 16, 2009 at 01:24 PM
Chill, dudes. Narnia and The Golden Compass are two of my favorite book series' ever! I hate that there has to be this rivalry between them I think they both make valid points and people should listen to both messages, as they are really not that contradictory. I personally LOVED the Narnia movies (BOTH) even though I don't like Prince Caspian the book as much as the others. the films are my faves after Pirates of the Caribbean, and Voyage of the Dawn Treader is the best of all of the books (monopods, anyone?) so I think it would be really awesome if they would do it similar. Disney is annoying me I loved the Narnia and POTC but I HATE stuff like Hannah Montana and HSM, etc. So I'm very disappointed in Disney. But chill, guys, the film's still obviously gonna come out... Walden's got the right idea.
Posted by: Janaki | January 26, 2009 at 04:30 PM
It's all good - 20th Century Fox picked up the Narnia series, and I couldn't be more elated.
Although I confess that I've never read the Narnia series (although I have read His Dark Materials), "CoN: Prince Caspian" has to be one of my favorite movies. No, it didn't gross as much as "CoN: LWW" did, but I was dazzled from the moment I saw it. I'm so grateful that the series will continue.
Posted by: Riss | March 12, 2009 at 12:54 PM