films from Walden Media based on The Chronicles of Narnia, a series of novels written by C.

S. Lewis. From the seven novels, there have been three film adaptations so far—The Lion,

the Witch and the Wardrobe , Prince Caspian and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader which have

grossed over $1.5 billion worldwide among them.

Films The series revolves around the adventures

of children in the fictional world of Narnia, guided by Aslan, a wise and powerful lion

that can speak and is the true king of Narnia. Most of the children featured in the films

are the Pevensie siblings, and a prominent antagonist is the White Witch (also known

as Jadis). The first two films were directed by Andrew Adamson and the third film is the

first of the Chronicles to be released in RealD 3D. It was directed by Michael Apted.

The series is the 25th highest-grossing film series of all time.

Development C. S. Lewis never sold the film rights to

the Narnia series, 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 rumored that The Magican's Nephew was chosen as an attempt to reboot the series,

as 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. Although there is currently a moratorium on

the film rights, on October 1, 2013, The C.S. Lewis Company announced that The Chronicles

of Narnia: The Silver Chair was officially in pre-production.

Films The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, based on the novel with the same title, is the first

official film in the series. Directed by Andrew Adamson, the films was shot mainly in New

Zealand, though locations were used in Poland, the Czech Republic and England.

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 the world under an eternal

winter. The film was released theatrically starting

on December 9, 2005. The film grossed over $745 million worldwide, making it the 44th

highest grossing film worldwide of all time. Prince Caspian (2008)

Prince Caspian, based on the novel with the same title, is the second official film in

the series. The story follows four British children who

were transported to Narnia in the previous film returning to Narnia and finding out that

over 1300 years have passed and the land has been invaded by Telmarines. The four Pevensie

children (William Moseley, Anna Popplewell, Skandar Keynes, and Georgie Henley) return

to aid Prince Caspian (Ben Barnes) in his struggle for the throne against his corrupt

uncle, King Miraz (Sergio Castellitto). This is the last film to be distributed by Walt

Disney Pictures The film was released on May 16, 2008. It

grossed $419 million worldwide and was considered a moderate success.

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010) The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, based on the

novel with the same title, is the third official film in the series. This is the first film

not co-produced by Disney, as they chose not to produce the film after a budget dispute

with Walden Media who later then negotiated with 20th Century Fox to replace Disney for

future installments. Directed by Michael Apted (replacing Andrew Adamson, who directed the

previous two films), 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 new king of Narnia, Caspian, in his quest to rescue seven

lost lords to save Narnia from a corrupting evil that resides on a dark island. This is

the last adventure Lucy and Edmund can have in Narnia as they are too old much like their

older brother and sister who are no longer able to return. Eustace is allowed to come

back. It was released on December 10, 2010 in RealD

3D in select theaters, along with its wide 2D release. It grossed over $415 million worldwide.

Future As there are seven books in The Chronicles

of Narnia, each book could potentially become a theatrical feature film.

After Walden Media's contract in regards to 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. However, in May 2012, Gresham confirmed that

technically any studio still has the option of making a Narnia film during the moratorium,

but without the involvement of Walden Media it cannot be released until 2018 at the earliest

(the actual end year of the moratorium). On October 1, 2013, The C.S. Lewis Company

announced that it has entered into an agreement with the Mark Gordon Company to produce The

Chronicles of Narnia: The Silver Chair. Mark Johnson and Douglas Gresham along with Vincent

Sieber, the Los Angeles based director of The C.S. Lewis Company, will serve as producers

and work with The Mark Gordon Company on developing the script. On December 5, 2013, it was confirmed

that David Magee will write the screenplay. Main cast

Children William Moseley as Peter Pevensie, title:

King Peter the Magnificent, the eldest Pevensie child and the High King of Narnia.

Anna Popplewell as Susan Pevensie, title: Queen Susan the Gentle, the elder Pevensie

girl and Queen of Narnia. Skandar Keynes as Edmund Pevensie, title:

King Edmund the Just, the younger Pevensie boy and King of Narnia.

Georgie Henley as Lucy Pevensie, title: Queen Lucy the Valiant, the youngest Pevensie child

and Queen of Narnia. Will Poulter as Eustace Scrubb, the Pevensie

children's cousin. Other recurring characters

Liam Neeson as the voice of Aslan, the magnificent and powerful lion who helps govern Narnia,

his own creation. He is the only character to appear in all of the books.

Tilda Swinton as Jadis, the White Witch, the former queen of Charn and a witch who ruled

Narnia after the events of The Magician's Nephew and during the events of The Lion,

the Witch and the Wardrobe. Ben Barnes as Caspian X, the Telmarine prince

who becomes King of Narnia after overthrowing his evil uncle Miraz.

Eddie Izzard and later Simon Pegg as the voice of Reepicheep, the noble and courageous mouse

who fights for Aslan and the freedom of Narnia. Izzard played the character in Prince Caspian,

and Pegg took over the role in The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

Reception Critical reception