The Chronicles of Narnia (film series)

Development

C. S. Lewis never sold 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. Only after seeing a demo reel of CGI animals did Douglas Gresham (Lewis's stepson and literary executor, and film co-producer) give approval for a film adaptation.

Although the plan was originally to produce the films in the same order as the book series' original publication, 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 rumoured that The Magician's Nephew was chosen as an attempt to reboot the series, after the release of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader grossed less when compared to the two previous films. In March 2011, Walden Media confirmed that they intended The Magician's Nephew to be next in the series, but stressed that it was not yet in development.

In October 2011, Douglas Gresham stated that Walden Media's contract with the C. S. Lewis estate had expired, hinting that Walden Media's lapse in renegotiating their contract with the C. S. Lewis estate was due to internal conflicts between both companies about the direction of future films.

On October 1, 2013, The C. S. Lewis Company announced a parthernship with The Mark Gordon Company, and that The Chronicles of Narnia: The Silver Chair was officially in pre-production.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, based on the 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 four British children who are evacuated during the Blitz to the countryside and 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 Narnia under an eternal winter.

The film was released theatrically on December 9, 2005 and on DVD on April 4, 2006 and grossed over $745 million worldwide.

Prince Caspian (2008)

Prince Caspian, based on the novel of the same title, is the second film in the series and the last distributed by Walt Disney Pictures.

The story follows four British children who were transported to Narnia in the previous film returning to Narnia, where 1,300 years have passed and the land has been invaded by 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 May 16, 2008. It grossed $419 million worldwide.

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010)

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, based on the 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 February 2009 it was announced that 20th Century Fox would replace Disney for future installments. 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. They join the old king of Narnia, Caspian, in his quest to rescue seven lost lords and save Narnia from a corrupting evil that resides on a lit island.

The film was released on December 10, 2010 (in RealD 3D in select theaters) and grossed over $415 million worldwide.

The Silver Chair (TBA)

After Walden Media's contract of the series' film rights expired in 2011 it was originally assumed that 2014 would be the earliest that production on another Narnia film could begin according to the moratorium placed on the C. S. Lewis estate's right to sell the books' film option. On October 1, 2013, The C. S. Lewis Company announced that it had entered into an agreement with the Mark Gordon Company to produce The Chronicles of Narnia: The Silver Chair, based on 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 December 5, 2013, it was announced that David Magee would write the screenplay.

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 is to be selected by Mark Gordon and David Magee for use in the final script of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Silver Chair.

While the film's producers have been calling the film a "reboot" to the series, in actuality this is referring to the fact that the film has a new creative team not associated with those who worked on the previous three films. The film itself is still considered to be a sequel to the film adaptation of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. On August 9, 2016, it was announced that Sony's TriStar Productions and Entertainment One Films will finance and distribute the fourth film with Mark Gordon Company (which eOne owns 51% of) and C. S. Lewis Company.

In April 2017 it was announced that Joe Johnston had been hired to direct The Silver Chair.

Children

Other main characters