The Chronicles of Narnia (film series)
{{Short description|Film series (2005–2010)}}
{{For|the British television series|The Chronicles of Narnia (TV series)}}
{{Infobox film
| name = The Chronicles of Narnia
| caption = Official film series logo
| image = 256px
| director = Andrew Adamson (1–2)
Michael Apted (3)
| producer = Mark Johnson (1–3)
Philip Steuer (1–3)
Andrew Adamson (2–3)
| screenplay = Ann Peacock (1)
Andrew Adamson (1–2)
Christopher Markus (1–3)
Stephen McFeely (1–3)
Michael Petroni (3)
| based_on = {{based on|The Chronicles of Narnia|C. S. Lewis}}
| starring = Georgie Henley
Skandar Keynes
William Moseley
Anna Popplewell
Ben Barnes
Will Poulter
Tilda Swinton
Liam Neeson
| music = Harry Gregson-Williams (1–2)
David Arnold (3)
| cinematography = Donald McAlpine (1)
Karl Walter Lindenlaub (2)
Dante Spinotti (3)
| editing = Sim Evan-Jones (1–2)
Rick Shaine (3)
| studio = Walden Media (1–3)
Fox 2000 Pictures (3)
Walt Disney Pictures (1–2)
| distributor = 20th Century Fox (3)
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures (1–2)
| runtime = 406 minutes (1–3)
| released = 1: 9 December 2005
2: 16 May 2008
3: 10 December 2010
| country = United Kingdom
United States
| language = English
| budget = Total (3 films):
$560,000,000
| gross = Total (3 films):
$1,580,364,900
}}
The Chronicles of Narnia is a 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 commercial 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.{{Cite web|url=https://media.netflix.com/en/press-releases/netflix-to-develop-series-and-films-based-on-c-s-lewis-beloved-the-chronicles-of-narnia|title=Netflix to develop series and films based on C.S. Lewis' beloved THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA|website=Netflix Media Center|language=en|access-date=2019-05-05}}
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.{{Efn|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}}{{Failed verification|date=July 2021|reason=The cited sections do not support either part of the statement, most importantly they do not say anything about Lewis' reasons for not selling the film rights, or that he had this view on cinematic adaptations. Also, both cited dates are long before he wrote any Narnia books so they don't even make sense as supporting sources in the first place.}} 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.{{cite web |url= http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/movies/interviews/2011/lionwitchboxoffice.html |title= The Lion, the Witch, and the Box Office | work = Christianity Today |last=Moring |first=Mark |date= April 7, 2011 |access-date=May 1, 2011}} 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.{{cite web |url= http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/03/23/magicians-nephew-new-narnia-film/ | date = 23 Oct 2011 | work = Inside movies |title= 'Narnia': Walden, Fox in discussions on 'The Magician's Nephew' |publisher= EW}}
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.{{cite web|url= http://www.narniaweb.com/2012/05/gresham-shares-plans-for-next-narnia-film/ | date = May 2012 |title= Gresham Shares Plans for Next Narnia Film |publisher= Narnia Web}} 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.{{cite web|url= https://deadline.com/2013/10/chronicles-of-narnia-silver-chair-movie-mark-gordon-600543/ |title= Fourth "Chronicles of Narnia" Movie in Works from Mark Gordon Co | date = Oct 2013 |work= Deadline}}
Films
= ''The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe'' (2005) =
{{Main|The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe}}
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) =
{{Main|The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian}}
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) =
{{Main|The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader}}
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.{{cite web|title=The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader-Spectacular trailer|author=Alexonx|date=10 November 2010|publisher=filmissimo.it |url=http://www.filmissimo.it/blog/le-cronache-di-narnia-il-viaggio-del-veliero-spettacolare-il-nuovo-full-trailer.html|access-date=10 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314205719/http://www.filmissimo.it/blog/le-cronache-di-narnia-il-viaggio-del-veliero-spettacolare-il-nuovo-full-trailer.html|archive-date=2012-03-14}}
The film was released on 10 December 2010 (in RealD 3D in select theatres) and grossed over $415 million worldwide.
Main cast
{{Main|List of The Chronicles of Narnia (film series) cast members}}
= 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 =
{{Cast indicator|C|V|O}}
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! Role
! The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
! The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
|-
! colspan="4" |
== Children ==
|-
Rachael Henley{{ref|old|O}}
| colspan="2" | Georgie Henley
|-
Mark Wells{{ref|old|O}}
| colspan="2" |Skandar Keynes
|-
Noah Huntley{{ref|old|O}}
| William Moseley
| William Moseley{{ref|cameo|C}}
|-
Sophie Winkleman{{ref|old|O}}
| Anna Popplewell
| Anna Popplewell{{ref|cameo|C}}
|-
! colspan="4" style="background-color:#ddf;" |
== Other main characters ==
|-
| Aslan
| colspan="3" | Liam Neeson{{ref|voice|V}}
|-
| colspan="2" | Tilda Swinton{{ref|cameo|C}}
|-
| style="background:#d3d3d3;" |
| colspan="2" | Ben Barnes
|-
| style="background:#d3d3d3;" |
| Eddie Izzard{{ref|voice|V}}
| Simon Pegg{{ref|voice|V}}
|}
Crew
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |
| rowspan="3" | Role
! colspan="3" | Film |
|---|
| The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe |
| 2005
! 2008 ! 2010 |
| Director(s)
| colspan="2" | Andrew Adamson |
| Producer(s)
| Mark Johnson & Phillip Steuer | colspan="2" | 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)
| colspan="2" | Harry Gregson-Williams |
| Cinematographer(s) |
| 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)
| colspan="2" | Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures |
Reception
= Box office performance =
The series grossed over $1.5 billion worldwide, but critical and commercial reception diminished with each film.
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
| rowspan="2" | Film
! rowspan="2" | Release date ! colspan="3" | Box office gross ! colspan="2" | All-time ranking ! rowspan="2" | Budget ! rowspan="2" | Reference |
|---|
| North America
! Other territories ! Worldwide ! North America ! Worldwide |
| style="text-align:left" | The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
| {{Start date|2005|12|9}} | $291,710,957 | $453,302,158 | $745,013,115 | 78 | 86 | $180 million |
| style="text-align:left" | Prince Caspian
| {{Start date|2008|5|16}} | $141,621,490 | $278,044,078 | $419,665,568 | 363 | 236 | $220 million |
| style="text-align:left" | The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
| {{Start date|2010|12|10}} | $104,386,950 | $311,299,267 | $415,686,217 | 621 | 238 | $150 million |
| colspan="2" | Total
! ${{val|fmt=commas|{{#expr:291710957+141621490+104386950}}}} ! ${{val|fmt=commas|{{#expr:453302158+278044078+311299267}}}} ! ${{val|fmt=commas|{{#expr:745013115+419665568+415686217}}}} ! colspan="2" | ! $560 million ! rowspan="2"| {{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/franchises/chart/?id=chroniclesofnarnia.htm |title=The Chronicles of Narnia Movies at the Box Office |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=November 6, 2017 }}{{cite web|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/showdowns/chart/?id=narniavs.htm |title='Narnia' Vs. 'Narnia' |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=November 6, 2017 }} |
= Critical response =
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. On 5 December 2013, it was announced that David Magee would write the screenplay.{{Cite news|title='Narnia' Sequel Taps David Magee to Write Script|work=The Wrap|date=5 July 2013|url=https://www.thewrap.com/narnia-sequel-lands-screenwriter-david-magee|access-date=4 October 2018}} 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.{{Cite news|title=Enter The Silver Chair Movie Contest!|work=Narnia.com|url=https://www.narnia.com/us/sweepstakes|access-date=2014-07-20|archive-date=2014-10-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018131111/https://www.narnia.com/us/sweepstakes|url-status=dead}}
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.{{cite web|url=https://collider.com/chronicles-of-narnia-silver-chair-reboot/|title=Chronicles of Narnia: The Silver Chair to Reboot the Franchise|last=Foutch|first=Haleigh|date=12 January 2016|work=Collider|access-date=4 October 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://io9.gizmodo.com/with-this-chronicles-of-narnia-news-the-word-reboot-is-1752566759|title=With This Chronicles of Narnia News, the Word 'Reboot' Is Officially Gibberish|last=Trendacosta|first=Katharine|publisher=Gawker Media|work=io9|date=12 January 2016|access-date=4 October 2018}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2016/08/the-chronicles-of-narnia-the-silver-chair-tristar-mark-gordon-eone-david-magee-1201800919/|title=TriStar, Mark Gordon & eOne Revive 'The Chronicles Of Narnia' With 'The Silver Chair'|work=Deadline|last=Fleming|first=Mike Jr.|date=9 August 2016|access-date=4 October 2018}} In April 2017, it was announced that Joe Johnston had been hired to direct The Silver Chair.{{cite magazine|last1=Kroll|first1=Justin|title='Captain America' Director Joe Johnston Boards 'Narnia' Revival 'The Silver Chair'|date=26 April 2017|url=https://variety.com/2017/film/news/narnia-revival-silver-chair-director-joe-johnston-1202399920/|magazine=Variety|access-date=4 October 2018}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.christiantoday.com/article/the.chronicles.of.narnia.the.silver.chair.update.mark.gordon.teases.interesting.setting.more.sophisticated.visual.effects/115538.htm|title='The Chronicles of Narnia: The Silver Chair' update: Mark Gordon drops teasers about setting and visual effects|website=Christian Today|date=11 October 2017|last=Casiple|first=Necta|access-date=4 October 2018}}
= Netflix reboot =
{{further|Adaptations of The Chronicles of Narnia#Netflix}}
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.{{cite magazine|last=Otterson|first=Joe|url=https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/chronicles-of-narnia-series-films-netflix-1202966920/|title='Chronicles of Narnia' Series, Films in the Works at Netflix|magazine=Variety|date=October 3, 2018|access-date=October 3, 2018}} With this announcement, all previously announced plans for The Silver Chair were superseded.{{cite news|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=3 October 2018| title=Netflix to Develop 'The Chronicles of Narnia' TV Series & Films|url=https://deadline.com/2018/10/netflix-the-chronicles-of-narnia-tv-series-and-films-eone-1202475272/|work=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=28 December 2018}}{{cite magazine|last=Hibberd|first=James|author-link=James Hibberd (writer)|date=3 October 2018|title=The Chronicles of Narnia being made into new movies by Netflix|url=https://ew.com/tv/2018/10/03/chronicles-of-narnia-netflix/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=28 December 2018}}{{cite web|last=Schwartz|first=Terri|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/06/13/netflixs-chronicles-of-narnia-reboot-hires-its-creative-architect|title=Netflix's Chronicles of Narnia Reboot Hires Its 'Creative Architect'|website=IGN|date=June 12, 2019|access-date=June 16, 2019}}{{cite web |last1=Labonte |first1=Rachel |title=Narnia Producer Hopes Reboot is Episodic But Hasn't Heard From Netflix |url=https://screenrant.com/chronicles-narnia-producer-no-netflix-update-episodic-reboot/ |website=Screen Rant |date=11 May 2020 |access-date=19 February 2021}}
See also
- Outline of Narnia
- The Chronicles of Narnia (1988–1990 TV series)
- The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1979 film)
References
Footnotes
{{Notelist}}
Citations
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Wikiquote}}
- {{IMDb title|qid=Q485803|title=The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe}}
- {{IMDb title|qid=Q222023|title=The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian}}
- {{IMDb title|qid=Q474082|title=The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader}}
{{Narnia}}
{{Disney franchises}}
{{Portal bar|Speculative fiction|Fantasy|Film|Disney}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Chronicles Of Narnia}}
Category:Film series introduced in 2005
Category:Walt Disney Studios (division) franchises
Category:20th Century Studios franchises
Category:Adventure film series
Category:Children's film series
Category:Films about parallel universes