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Caspian Effects Update

Report hints at new content.

by Paul Davidson

April 4, 2007 - Although production on The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian is nowhere near completion, the film's effects teams have sprung into action, preparing various computer-generated sequences for integration with live-action footage. As previously reported, two London-based effects houses -- Moving Picture Company and Framestore -- have been hired to do the majority of the digital effects for the second Narnia adventure.

Framestore has an update on their website with information on the films they're currently involved with. Their entry on Prince Caspian, though brief, is interesting and may allude to some of the additional content written to augment the original book — with the intent of adding depth and excitement to the film.

"The next Narnia film is now well under way," reads the blurb, "and Framestore CFC has got a lion's share (pardon the pun) of the VFX work. As well as the CG creatures, Aslan and a badger called Trufflehunter, the 500 or so shots our team expects to complete will also involve a spectacular River God sequence."

What "River God sequence" could the website be referring to, and where might such a scene fit into the established plot?

Producer Douglas Gresham also touched on the changes in his recent interview (though he certainly mentioned no River God). "A lot of [Prince Caspian] is walking and talking, which is fine on the pages of a book, but doesn't really come across very well in the cinema. So there are things we've had to do to make things a little more lively."

Gresham on Caspian and What's After It

Voyage to tread soon.

by Paul Davidson

March 30, 2007 - Prince Caspian is taking advantage of the rugged New Zealand coastline as production continues in the South Pacific. Co-producer Douglas Gresham is already looking ahead, however, at what needs to be done for the next few Narnia films.

Gresham recently confirmed to New Zealand's Radio Rhema that they were looking at releasing the upcoming sequels only 12-18 months apart. Voyage of the Dawn Treader is definitely the next one, but where it will be made remains undecided. Gresham praised New Zealand's scenery, artisans, and technicians, but lamented their lack of better movie-making facilities. He also seemed to confirm that Queensland with its new water-tank facilities was in the running, although there were other locations under consideration.

"Well, [the Australians are] not the only people," said Gresham. "I mean, quite a few people are after the next movie; we'll just have to wait and see what works the best. I mean, it's a simple matter really of where the best facilities are, the best deals are — is where you make your movies these days."

And while child actors growing up too fast tends to be a complication for filmmakers (see Harry Potter), Gresham acknowledged the opposite problem when planning Prince Caspian and Dawn Treader. The latter takes place several years later in the chronology of the books, but will be shot shortly after the Caspian shoot ends. However, by using make-up to make them seem a little younger in Caspian, everything works out.

Gresham also said the children (the two younger ones, anyway) would be the perfect age for The Silver Chair — which will follow Dawn Treader — and The Last Battle, in which they are grown-ups. He seemed to hint that TLB was a sure thing, but might be a long way off. It will most likely be the last of the series to be made, but there's the question of when (and if) they plan to make The Magician's Nephew, which is a prequel to the other stories.

In his interview, Gresham also touched on the mythological characters and symbols in Narnia — Bacchus and the nymphs and so on — and how they're sometimes misunderstood by the novels' religious readership. Narniweb.com has a recording and transcript of the talk online.

Christian producer prays for funds

Albion seeks coin from religious community

By ARCHIE THOMAS

LONDON -- Albion Prods., a British Christian film company seeking coin from the local Christian community, launches Friday, March 30.

The brainchild of producer-director David Fairman and thesp Jon-Paul Gates, Albion is looking for funding for its first title, "Darkness Into Light," the modern story of a man who goes on a quest to find the truth behind the Resurrection.

"Films are an ideal way to reach the whole community," said Fairman. "Many people won't attend church, but you can reveal the Gospel to them in the cinema or through watching a DVD at home. The incredible success of films such as the 'Passion of the Christ' and 'Narnia' show that Christian films can and do reach out to everyone."

Albion is an Enterprise Investment Scheme company.

Christian film-makers pray investors see the light

By Louise Jury, Arts Correspondent

Published: 30 March 2007

Mel Gibson was widely mocked when he ploughed £14m into producing his movie on the last days of Christ, but he had the last laugh when it grossed more than £350m at the box office.

Since then, 20th Century Fox has opened its own Christian movies division, FoxFaith; and Walden Media, owned by the devout Presbyterian Philip Anschutz, has funded the wholesome film adaptations of C S Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia stories, as well as the anti-slavery movie about William Wilberforce, Amazing Grace.

And today, a production company exclusively dedicated to making Christian feature films will be launched in London.

Albion Productions, founded by the Christians David Fairman and Jon-Paul Gates, has received messages of support from the Catholic leader Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, and the Anglican bishops of Bristol, Bath and Wells, and Ripon and Leeds.

It is now seeking funding for its first production, Darkness into Light, a story written by Mr Fairman himself. It tells of a man propelled by a car crash back in time, to encounter Jesus in AD30. It is an exploration of what he calls "the biggest mystery of all time - the Resurrection".

Albion Productions is offering a touch of philanthropy alongside the lure of big screen glamour. "Investors will not only help to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ around the world, but 10 per cent of the film's profits will go to Frishta, a Christian charity which builds orphanages for Indian street children," he said.

"Films are an ideal way to reach the whole community. Many people won't attend church but you can reveal the gospel to them in the cinema or through watching a DVD at home."

Mr Fairman was inspired to launch the new company after watching The Passion of The Christ. Its runaway success convinced film-makers that this was not just a fad. Disney, which distributed the first Chronicle of Narnia film, targeted church-goers with special screenings.

David Fairman's previous work includes three films: Cold Fish, in which a would-be journalist is lured into a world of violence and sexual game-playing; Lighthouse Hill, about a publisher who seeks the meaning of life after his best friend dies; and Messages, a thriller set in the spirit world.

"There's the audience for pirates and gung-ho movies and action movies and rom-coms, but also Hollywood is discovering an audience for films with a message," he said.

The company is seeking initial funding of around £1.5m, and he believes Christians may be willing to support it. "This is probably the first time that anyone [in the UK] has reached out to the Christian communities and said, 'There are a number of advantages to you, but the main thing is you will be spreading the word of the gospel'," he said. "But the audience we want for the film is not just Christian, but non-believers and non-Christians."

Investors should note, however, that not all movie ventures into religion have produced as spectacular results as Mel Gibson's. The Nativity Story, starring Keisha Castle-Hughes as the Virgin Mary, failed to win the crowds after being crucified by critics last year.

James McAvoy Is Sad About Being Left Out of 'Narnia' Films

Scottish actor James McAvoy fears he'll miss out on the excitement of the Chronicles Of Narnia film series because the character he played in the first film doesn't show up again until book seven. The Brit won acclaim as faun Mr. Tumnus in The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe but hasn't been asked to reprise the role in the sequel, Prince Caspian.

And he fears he'll be old and gray before he returns to the film franchise, based on C.S. Lewis' books.

He tells Venice magazine, "Tumnus doesn't show up until the last Narnia book, which is called The Last Battle... so I'm a bit devastated. But, if they ever get to the seventh book, when I'm about 45 years old, maybe they'll (producers) come knocking."

Caspian Casting, Studio Previews

Early glimpses impress.

by Paul Davidson

March 19, 2007 - Disney announced another addition to the cast of The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian as production continues in New Zealand and the Czech Republic. Mexican actor Damián Alcázar has been cast as Lord Sopespian, a Telmarine noble and military leader who secretly plots to overthrow King Miraz. Alcázar has won numerous Silver Arial awards in Mexico for best actor.
In other Narnia news, Disney has been promoting the film along with its other upcoming pictures at ShoWest, the annual motion picture industry convention. Although there's not much in the way of footage to show off just yet, attendees were treated to a production reel with concept art for the new characters and computer-generated battle pre-visualizations. The impression among those who saw it is that Prince Caspian is indeed going to be a "bigger" film than The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

Watch this spot for more news on Prince Caspian!

Caspian's King Miraz Cast

The last major character is chosen.

by Paul Davidson

March 13, 2007 - King Miraz, usurper to the throne of Telmar and occupier of Narnia, has at last been cast with production on Prince Caspian already several weeks along. The part has reportedly gone to acclaimed Italian actor Sergio Castellitto, according to Narniweb.com.

The choice confirms the producers' intent to give the Telmarines a Latin-Mediterranean ethnic flavor, while keeping the protagonists distinctly British.

So far, all the characters associated with General Miraz's faction are played by actors from Italy and Spain (if you don't count Dr. Cornelius, played by the Belgian Vincent Grass).

Castellitto himself appears to be a solid choice, an accomplished actor of Italian and French cinema. He has won three Italian Donatello Awards, the last one in 2004 for best actor in Non ti muovere.

Prince Caspian reaches theaters in May 2008.