The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian promises to be an even bigger visual spectacle than The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe was — if that’s possible. However, in spite of the top-notch CG work done on LWW by companies like ILM, Rhythm + Hues, and Sony Imageworks, the producers of Caspian are apparently hiring different companies for the sequel, notably two British effects houses. Industry sources tell IGN Filmforce that Moving Picture Company and Framestore, both based in London, will be responsible for the bulk of the film’s digital effects.
The information, if accurate, could hint at where director and producer Andrew Adamson’s has chosen to shoot his film. While LWW was made in New Zealand, locales for the second Narnia adventure have been up in the air, with New Zealand and Ireland rumoredly competing for the honor. London is a lot closer to Ireland than New Zealand, and keeping your effects teams close to your production crew doesn’t hurt. Nevertheless, New Zealand can’t be counted out quite yet.
The producers could also be moving effects work to England to take advantage of tax breaks instituted earlier this year. The British government has been trying to make the country competitive again, wooing back a once-vibrant filmmaking industry that has lately fled to less expensive nations like the Czech Republic.
Neither of these two London companies is new to fantasy film effects. Moving Picture has contributed its expertise to all four Harry Potter films, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and X-Men III. Framestore’s oeuvre also includes the latest Harry Potter and X-Men motion pictures.