I have a few tips for those looking for an audition for the role, as well as some information about where we are at right now with the film. We are not in charge of casting, though, so please refrain from asking us for an audition. We cannot grant you one, nor can we send any contact information on to any casting directors. Requests in the comments also cannot be granted or guaranteed.
1. Pre-Production
Pre-production encompasses a lot, including script writing, storyboarding and character design and casting. It even begins, at times, prior to a film getting funding from a studio (part of the green-light process). The Hobbit is one of those movies that was in pre-production for the last few years and only recently was given the go-ahead.
Sometimes a studio will hire a writer onto a movie that hasn’t yet been given the green light, which has always been the first step with the Narnia movies. Currently, we haven’t heard about a screenwriter been signed to take the book and turn it into a script. All three films have had the same screenwriters, save for Dawn Treader which added another writer to the mix. This is one of the first things that needs to happen before casting can begin.
2. The Green-Light
The production team will then take the material they’ve developed to the studio to present it before the studio heads. This can either be just a script, or a set including a script, storyboards and pre-vis demos of different sequences. They may also try to give an asking price for how much they think it would take to produce the film based on the script that was written. This is based on knowledge of how much various things tend to cost, among other things.
This could be expedited by the box office success that The Voyage of the Dawn Treader sees. If the film does really well, then Fox will see value in continuing the series.
3. Pre-Production goes full speed ahead
If the film is granted funding by the studio, the pre-production team is built up with more production staff and sets are built and everything necessary to get the film put together is acquired.
This leads us to the next phase, the one that you were looking for.
4. Casting
Once casting begins, they are going to look for the best actor to play each role. This is someone that fits the character that they are looking for. Usually they have the look of the character in mind when they start the casting process. They look at casting agencies mostly, but sometimes drama clubs and even open casting calls.
The best thing that you can do to increase your chances is to start acting in local plays. Many areas have drama clubs or local theater guilds that you can try out for roles with. Getting an agent is another good way to increase your chances of getting the role. There are a lot of phony agents in Hollywood, so you need to be very careful to go with a well known and well regarded agency.
When it comes to these films, they tend to look in the UK first, as they want to cast someone that has a natural British accent. There probably won’t be any open auditions for the role, as it is a leading role and they’ll need someone that can carry a film. They’ll look for someone charismatic that gets along well with Will Poulter.
5. Summing it all up
It is best if you are actually British, and part of an acting agency or group.
They aren’t currently casting the movie, as there is no movie to cast at the moment. If or when the movie is officially announced by the studio, we will announce any casting calls and do whatever we can to give you as much information as possible to help you out.
If you find this later, should the film move forward and casting begins, and you have an audition, read this: Auditioning for Dummies.