Narnia headed to the big screen?

[Joe Tully]

Found this at http://www.canoe.ca/JamMovies/dec7_narnia-can.html


The success of "Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone" has boosted the bankability of children's fantasy stories, with C.S. Lewis's "Narnia" books now headed to the big screen.

The Hollywood Reporter says Walden Media has optioned Lewis's classic seven-part "Chronicles Of Narnia" series, with an eye to developing the books into a movie franchise, starting with "The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe."

"Wardrobe," the best-known of the books, was published in 1950, but was actually the second volume in the collection. It tells the story of a group of children who step into a magic wardrobe and are transported to Narnia, a once peaceful land that is now the wintery domain of the White Witch.

Other volumes in the series are "The Magician's Nephew," "The Horse And His Boy," "Prince Caspian," "The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader," "The Silver Chair", and "The Last Battle."

Paramount had previously owned the rights to the series, but the franchise languished there and rights went up for grabs last month, The Hollywood Reporter said.

"It has been our dream for many years not simply to make a live-action version of 'The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe,' but to do so while remaining faithful to the novel," Lewis's stepson, Douglas Gresham told The Hollywood Reporter. Gresham will oversee the development of the films.



I loved these books as a kid. I'll go to see any of these that come out. I've gotta read these books again sometime soon.

[Oracle]

I loved the Chronicles of Narnia, too. That would be pretty sweet if they made Narnia movies. I just started the first Harry Potter book yesterday and I like it so far. But why does the article posted have the title as "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone"? Why not "Sorceror's Stone"?

[Joe Tully]

I think that the article clearly has a few fine details wrong. They are also wrong when they say that Wardrobe was the second book: It was the first book in the series, although the fifth, The Magician's Nephew, takes place before Wardrobe.

This has also been reported at Yahoo. It's expected to be released in mid-2004.

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

Originally posted by Oracle
I loved the Chronicles of Narnia, too. That would be pretty sweet if they made Narnia movies. I just started the first Harry Potter book yesterday and I like it so far. But why does the article posted have the title as "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone"? Why not "Sorceror's Stone"?

Title change by Rowling. Some people still get it mixed up as two titles of the book exist.

[Calhoun07]

Narnia has always been one of my favorite sagas. I'd rather see that than Harry Potter or LOTR (Calhoun ducks and runs for cover!) All we have is the animated movie and the BBC productions, none of which are avaialble right now on home video, sadly.

[Maxie Zeus]

I read them when I was about 7, and I actually don't want the picture they painted in my head to be replaced by a Hollywood version. There's no improving on the Pauline Bayle illustrations that came out with the original.


Originally posted by Oracle
But why does the article posted have the title as "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone"? Why not "Sorceror's Stone"?

It was published in Britain as "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone," which continues to be the title over there. (And I guess should be considered the "real" title.) The American edition changed it, as it changed many terms that are British in origin for their American counterparts.

[Singin' Stray Cat]

With the advancements in CGI that have been made over the past few years, a live-action "Narnia" has the potential to be a very awesome movie. However, I think I'd rather like to see a better animated version of it. There was some crappy one that was done several years ago that didn't do the book justice. I mean, most movies never do, but this one fell extremely short.

Actually...I should have put this along with my post in the "extravagant dreams" thread, but I've always wanted to do an animated Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe. A great one. One that could bring to the screen all the beautiful imagery and charming wit of C.S. Lewis' original...

Oh wait...that's not an extravagant dream...that's an impossible one. :p Still, I'd give any attempt at it at least a look.

[Calhoun07]

I liked the "crappy" animated movie. Of course, I was pretty little when I saw it....but it did get me into the stories, so I guess it couldn't have been all bad!

And SSC...maybe you can't do the animated movie you want, but I'd sure like to see you do some drawings of the characters from the stories! And I am sure the rest of the folks at the Drawing Board would too! That is if you want to!

[Fantasie117]

But why does the article posted have the title as "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone"? Why not "Sorceror's Stone"?

The American publishers thought it would be more "exciting" and more kids would want to read it if the books say "Sorcerer" instead of "Philosopher." "Philosopher" does sound kind of dull.

But "Philosopher's Stone" is the real title and it makes more sense in the story.

Now add another series of books on my ever expanding list of things to read.

[Karkull]

They should have kept it as the Philosopher's Stone, which is a "real" piece of history (all of the Middle Age-alchemists were trying to create one).

Wow. first "Harry," then "LOTR," now "Narnia." It's like the 1980s are back with a vengence...

[RockItShipper]

Pretty much every version of Harry Potter outside of the US and France uses "Philosopher's Stone" in the title. The French title of the first book is roughly "Harry Potter and the Magic School"

[Maxie Zeus]

Originally posted by Fantasie117
"Philosopher" does sound kind of dull.

Hey! I resemble that remark! :D

[Singin' Stray Cat]

Originally posted by calhoun07
I liked the "crappy" animated movie. Of course, I was pretty little when I saw it....but it did get me into the stories, so I guess it couldn't have been all bad!

Ah. Maybe if I had seen the movie first and *then* read the book(s), I might have had the same reaction. As it was, I just remember everything in the animated movie looked so...flat...and not at all like I had imagined...though I guess that doesn't necessarily mean the movie itself was bad, just that I was really disappointed with it.



And SSC...maybe you can't do the animated movie you want, but I'd sure like to see you do some drawings of the characters from the stories! And I am sure the rest of the folks at the Drawing Board would too! That is if you want to!

Is that a hint? ;) In any case, I'd love to give it a shot. It would be a nice break from all the cartoon-y and cute stuff I tend to do most of the time. :dot: