J. K. Rowling started an international buzz when she released the seventh title of the Harry Potter series. People were analysing the new name to death, coming up with theories on who is going to live, who is going to die, and everything in between.
At the forefront of these discussions were the various Harry Potter fan sites. Within hours of the title’s release, Mugglenet.com’s staff member Ciaran posted an editorial of possible book release dates. Pottercast, a Harry Potter podcast, rushed to release an analysis of the title. Forums everywhere, including our own Dancing Lawn were discussing the new name.
With all of this happening, one has to wonder if news from the Narnia world will achieve the same reaction.
Unfortunately, the author of the beloved Narnia series has deceased and we cannot expect a new title for a book. However, there are many other news stories that the Narnia community is waiting to know, like who will play Prince Caspian in the next Narnia movie.
However, the question remains; Will the release of Prince Caspian create as much of a buzz as the new Harry Potter book title?
Probably not. The Harry Potter series has been a defining moment of the upcoming generation, along with the Internet. Many Harry Potter fan sites have been posting their thoughts on the books for years, while the Narnia fan sites have only begun a short time ago.
Furthermore, while the new actor will be a big topic in the Narnia forums, the series is not as popular as the Harry Potter books. The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, the first Narnia movie, was released the same time as the fourth Harry Potter movie The Goblet of Fire. While the Narnia movie made 744.8 million last year, the Harry Potter movie grossed 892.2 million dollars, a 147.4 million dollar difference. (Source: Boxofficemojo.com) Furthermore, many of the Harry Potter fans are teens and more likely to be technologically inclined. Meanwhile, many Narnia fans have loved the books for their whole lives, or are in their first years of their life, and are less likely to know how to discuss our passion on the Internet.
So what do we do about it? How do we create hype for the new Prince Caspian?
The best thing we can do is talk about it. When the name of the actor is released, tell as many people as you can. Post on as many different forums as you can. Talk to your friends, your family, and your peers.
Let us show the world that Narnia is just as good as Harry Potter. Let us create the hype that the movies deserve.