Well, that was quick. The dust had barely settled on Disney's decision (announced at New York ComicCon, and reported here) to possibly end the Narnia franchise after three films, but then they decided no, not really. They take their cues from Aslan.MTV Movie News cornered producer Mark Johnson, who revealed he has a list of directors for The Silver Chair, and is closely eying several names on it. (I appreciate that MTV was as shocked as everyone else by this.) Johnson went on to say that he envisions Narnia along Harry Potter lines, with a new director coming on for each installment. "I think [the director of Silver Chair] will be somebody new entirely," John said. "I would like to get somebody totally unexpected."
So, never say never. If they truly go in this direction, I would applaud them, as I think it could add some spice to a film series that hasn't really distinguished itself from Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings -- and should have, because the books are pretty fabulous.
Johnson admits, however, that future books are going to be increasingly difficult to adapt. "I'd be lying if I didn't say a couple of them I don't know how to film," Johnson confessed, adding a wry smile. "It would be a good problem to have." The Last Battle is more than a good problem -- but that's just me. That book scarred me as a child, I think I actually threw it against the wall when I hit the last page. And then I ran and blabbed it to my sister, who to this day refuses to read the series. I'm all for edgier children's fare, but don't do that, Disney.
Thanks to Chris F. for sending this to us. You rock, Chris!
1. I was actually kind of glad when I read they decided to leave it as a trilogy. I was a huge fan of the first one and was hoping they would leave it as it's own stand alone film. I have hope Prince Caspian will be good, but these kids are getting older and I'm skeptical on how long they could keep the magic that the first film showed us. Disney needs to think about how this series will never live up to Harry Potter (and I'm more of a Narnia fan) I'd rather see these films end as a trilogy instead of crashing and burning halfway through the reach for seven of them.
Posted at 12:13PM on Apr 24th 2008 by Jean B