If you want to see some lamp-posts from the Chronicles of Narnia film production, you can now find them in L.A., actually in use! This is a strange way to see some props from the film, and I’m not sure where they appeared (if they were elements of sets for The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, part of England in Prince Caspian or The Voyage of the Dawn Treader), however it is still kinda cool that they’re being put into actual use, rather than sitting in storage somewhere for many years. Not sure if they’re labeled either, the article doesn’t say much about it.
Here’s what the article does say:
Ever since the first phases of [L.A. Live’s Ritz Carlton tower] complex opened, the spaces around the hotel have been narrow corridors branching off of Nokia Plaza. With the fencing removed, though, the triangle between Starbucks, Nokia Theatre and the hotel suddenly becomes a second space on the scale of the plaza area.
The two look to have very different personalities. Where Nokia Plaza is defined by massive LED screens and noise, this second space is far more tranquil. The glass and plantings of the hotel soften the metal of the other two buildings, and a set of ornate street lamps stand in sharp contrast to the modern stylings of the surrounding architecture.
The lamps may even look familiar. They came from the set of “The Chronicles of Narnia,” a film franchise produced by the Phillip Anschutz-owned Walden Media. Anschutz, of course, is also the “A” in AEG.
If you know where they were used in the film, comment about it below!
I’m glad to see that they intend to take psychological development seriously, but I am a little surprised that they intend to feature the sea-serpent and the dragon in the same scene.
…I’m wondering, are they battling both at once, or did they decide to have dragon-form Eustace be of assistance in a foray against a sea-serpent?
Good question. No comment.
SPOILERS
Actually, lily of Archenland, that idea about Eustace fighting the sea-serpent would be great. I have always thought the sea-serpent part of the book was a bit weak. Why doesn’t the sea-serpent try to attack again after they push it aside?
I just hope they don’t lose Aslan taking off Eustace’s dragon skin.
I’ll see what I can do about an edit button. I can see one, but I have a feeling that you’d need accounts to do it.
The scene between Aslan and Eustace is so vital to me; it would be such a disapointment if it were cut.
If they do cut out, or even de-emphasize the scenes of Eustace and his encounter with Aslan they will have cut out the heart and the soul of the book. I don’t see how they can or could do that. There would be such an uproar, I can’t imagine the outcome of that. Edmund and Lucy are fairly static growth wise thorough out the book; Caspian is not developed much at all. You can sense that he is growing in his Kingship and is willing to take his lumps when he messes up and acts, well like a brash kid, instead of a King. (He does find the love of his life.) But this book is about Eustace, his growth and redemption. He has to become ‘likable’ for people to be willing to follow him into the next two books where he is a central and major character.
I heard that “they” were going to make “The Dawn Treader” movie but it has been a while since I have heard or seen anything. Thanks for keeping us update on developments on the next C.S. Adventure.
The only way I can see for this battle to be towards the end AND Eustace’s transformation be adequately emphasized, should it be Eustace-dragon rather than the dragon-dragon who is battling, would be if they (a) had him either somehow survive flying along with them until close to the Beginning of the End of the World, and then be transformed by Aslan over there after the battle before moving on to the true End of the World and the Silver Sea, or (b) he volunteers to stay behind or is successful in getting himself hidden until the crew leaves so he won’t waste their resources, then flies up to meet them in the nick of time having just been alerted by Aslan or somesuch, then rescues them by battling the sea serpent, then goes with the ship to the Beginning of the End of the World for his transformation. If the battle isn’t actually as close to the end as it appears, or if they seriously condense traveling time and rearrange Dragon Island to be closer to the end of the journey than it was, then maybe Eustace could travel out from the island to meet the serpent as it either rises up from the cove to menace the ship while in harbor or meets the ship while it’s out on a brief foray to test the seaworthiness of repairs, so Eustace can go back to the island to be transformed back into a boy. All in all, though, it would be easier to resolve plot-conflicts if they just stick to introducing a new dragon from a nearby island (or perhaps build both dragon and serpent into the Isle of Nightmares spectres) instead.
OK, monologue over…
Lily–I have to agree that making the dragon an enemy instead of Eustace makes more sense, but again…I’m a “bookie” and proud of it. The very idea of a sea serpent AND a dragon battle makes me want to throw up my hands and say “WHY?!” but if that’s the most major change, I can totally deal with that. 🙂 I definitely also agree with Brad that this is Eustace’s story, first and foremost. I’d hate for that to be overshadowed by creating more story for the others. Lucy is always important because of her connection to Aslan, Caspian has had his glory and now he’s growing as a king, and Edmund gets a chance to be the “older wiser” king for once. Other than a wee bit of rivalry, Eustace is really the only one who CHANGES in the story.
I’m going to have to disagree with your closing statement, that Eustace is the only one to change during the story.
The only thing I need mention to explain that disagreement is Lucy at the Magician’s library. That’s a major shift in character, which Lewis sadly doesn’t seem to build up at the start of the story, nor reference throughout much of the rest of it.
Another thing that I hope is recognized is Edmund’s growth into the leadership role. He’s not only got his betrayal in LWW to inform him, but also Peter’s failure in PC to learn from. This is something that can show Edmund’s character growth across three motion pictures instead of just one.
I said I’d be short, though, so I’ll stop there. 🙂
I am actually really looking forward to Ed being the big brother in this one; I am hoping he isn’t a side character like he was in PC.
Reading the article, there is no doubt in my mind that the battle will be between Eustace(as the dragon) and the serpent as the climax to Eustace’s transformation.
Just my opinion.
Elentari, Mr. Paul: I can see how Lucy’s attitude in the Magician’s library might be seen as a “change,” but I never really saw it as such before. She’s a younger sibling whose older sister has been getting all the attention for as long as she can remember. She generally handles that well, she’s sweet, she has faith, but it’s not like she’s never thought of being overshadowed by Susan before. Then you have a particularly attractive and tempting page in a magic book… So she fell for it. Who wouldn’t? And if you’re talking about the hearing-spell, that was normal curiosity the results of which went awry.
Caspian, though… I did see a change between PC and VDT on him, bookverse. His will got stronger. He liked the feeling of being in charge more. Had less awe of the kings and kings of old. Was able to be more argumentative. But all that really means movieverse, is that some of his actions should fit with exactly how they were already portraying him!
Caspifian: Although it seems to be a reasonable conclusion that Eustace could be the one involved, “with a dragon and a sea serpent” can grammatically be interpreted as “containing a dragon and a sea serpent in the scene” as well as “where a dragon and a sea serpent oppose one another.” 😉
It’s great that they are sticking closer to the emotional side rather than the Action side like the did in PC. The two characters I felt that got overlooked was Truflhunter’s undying belief in Aslan and the Kings and Queens of Old. The other was Trumpkins steadfast loyalty to Caspian but refused to believe in anything unless he has seen it in his own eyes.
I hope they keep the story in the Magician’s book that Lucy can’t remember. I know it’s not that important, but she asks Aslan to tell her it, and it shows her relationship with him. I’m not so sure about the dragon and serpent thing together. Wouldn’t that just be too confusing?
What would be confusing about it? It’s a convergence of two story points. The human mind is capable of remembering up to seven things at one time.