A concept designer was interviewed about his work on Inkheart, and in the process he mentions that he had been hired as a concept artist for The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.
“After Inkheart I got on to the Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, but it fell through. They pulled the plug on it. We were on our way to Malta, we had or bags packed and all when we heard the news. I’d never been abroad on a movie before either.
“That’s just the nature of the business. It’s up and down the whole time. Work happens in bursts and when you’re working you earn quite a lot of money,” said Norman.
I’m not sure that is the whole story, as production still seems to be moving forward. Last I had heard, they were planning on shooting The Voyage of the Dawn Treader on location all over the world. Malta was one of the countries that would have had scenes shot. However, budget cuts have been made due to the under-performing Prince Caspian, causing the investors to worry if Dawn Treader will have legs.
From what I understand, though: after The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is most fans favorite adventure in Narnia. Mine is The Last Battle, so I hope we get to that one.
But anyway, don’t get too alarmed by this story. It’s just that they have decided not to film in Malta. They’re still filming in Mexico and New Zealand, at the very least.