Magician’s Nephew in Development and Silver Chair in Script Stage?

According to an unofficial source, but someone that seems to get a lot of facts correct and be in the know about many things, “The Magician’s Nephew is in development & The Silver Chair is in script stage.”

This is very interesting, and we can only guess at what it means beyond the simple text.Β  When a film is in development, it can mean many things, as the list of films “in production” on IMDb Pro includes films at many various stages.Β  In fact, as of this writing there are 141 pages of films in production with about 30 films per page.Β  It can mean practically anything.Β  A film listed here may not be green-lit yet, but the next phase is pre-production and that is followed by filming, post-production and release.

Script stage just means that they are writing an exploratory script, likely the first draft.

It is likely that the person who tweeted this got the information from IMDb Pro, however, so we should all take this with a grain of salt, no matter how excited we are at the prospect of the continuing of the Chronicles of Narnia on the big screen.

He’s since updated, saying the following: “Next is Magician’s Nephew. As of now, Silver Chair would follow. Script stage just means that a script is being written.Β It’s official but not announced. Β Well right now Magician’s Nephew is projected release 2014 & Silver Chair 2015. But SC is actually farther along in development.”

I responded that I was very excited to see something about the possible continuation of the films, to which he responded: “Me too. But these are very early in development. It doesn’t guarantee they’ll get made.”

Larry 411’s “Source for MN info is Walden, source for SC is Fox 2000.”

87 Comments

    • Because the writers of HP knew how to make good enjoyable films (not for me; I refuse to watch the series, but I do know blockbusters when I see them) for the masses, that ended up pleasing the movie going audiences along with the book fans. I personally, am not excited about even the prospect of another Narnia film being made because the filmmakers let me down with Dawn Treader (and I’m sorry, but when the filmmakers are willing to go against fan majority, i.e. the majority of fans wanted SC next, NOT Magician’s Nephew, they have officially lost me as a fan). I wouldn’t be sad if they never made another narnia movie in my lifetime.

      • sorry, everyone wanted MN in all the polls they took. NOT just narnia fansites, who wanted SC. MN has a WAY bigger built in audience, accordiing to book sales. it would be nuts to go with SC.

        • https://www.facebook.com/questions/10150342241545898/?qa_ref=pt Indeed, nearly 6000 votes for MN from Narnia fans, and merely 2500 for SC, with 2700 for “Anything, just bring more Narnia!” That’s more votes for “doesn’t matter to me” than for SC..

          And that’s not to mention this poll: https://www.facebook.com/questions/10150406889755898/?qa_ref=pt which clearly places SC as the book that the least number of people consider their favorite. Sales numbers also reflect that.

          • When I said “majority”, I was of course referring to the poll on this website, which clearly showed SC as the winner (unless I’m just totally crazy). And please, when you say “I’m sorry you feel that way”, it’s very condescending to people like me who happen to have a dissenting opinion. My intelligence becomes insulted when people say they’re sorry for my own personal opinion.

          • I suppose you can take it that way, but that’s not how it was intended. I meant it in the kindest way possible, I assure you. It’s only recently that people started to use it sarcastically. I just enjoy sharing things that I love with people, and I feel bad when others don’t share my love of something (and sometimes I get mocked for liking certain things).

          • and if you think about it MN has the potintal to become a classic movie like LWW and become a blockbuster but SC might just seem like just another fantasy movie

      • I respect your own opinion but I want to speak up too. In many sources I have read , the (vast) majority actually want MN next. And another fact , many of my friends are truly fans of HP BOOKS and they aren’t even at least satisfied with the movies. Those going to the cinema to see them are just facinated in their so-call eye-catching visual effects. I have to say , my friend , Narnia will stay alive in people’s hearts forever after all so don’t lose heart. There’s no comparison between Narnia and HP (movies) (at least to me!).

        • i’m agree with you narnia movies, are so special!!! everytime a i see them i still feeling the emotion like see it fo first time, and defenitely everyone who read the books has different perspectives, and people who don’t like more, and still praying to see MN next!!!!!

  1. I was hoping for a 2013 release, but if there working on both at the same time I’m excited! I was hoping they would 8) Hopefully this is true πŸ˜€

  2. I believe this! I mean, this guy wouldn’t just make it up would he? Anyway YAY for narnia! Pray that these turn out well!

  3. Hmm…looks like it’s time to start stalking this guy on Twitter. =)

    Back to the topic…Hurrah! I hope it’s true. I’ve been withering away without any Narnia news…

  4. Oh, I hope this is true! I would love it if they made more Narnia movies. If they don’t, someone will have to rewrite “Loney Lullaby” so us Narnia fans can sing about our sadness: “Oh, Narnia movies believe me, I still loved you…”

  5. Oh I hope it’s true!! I so want to see the rest of the films made and I want to be in one!! πŸ˜‰

  6. I wouldn’t jump to conclusions so fast. The Magician’s Nephew has been listed as being released in 2014 and The Silver Chair has been listed as being released in 2015 since about late March/ early April of this year. As you said, it could mean anything, but IMDb is not really the most accurate source for movie releases.

    I don’t really think this is true information. I think this news drought is getting to everybody. I’ve seen people come up and say that Walden has dropped the series, lost the rights, shelved the series, and any other reason why they would not be giving us news. I’m not even sure who or what to believe at this point.

    I think all the fans can do is wait for official news from Walden or whoever else is involved in production. I honestly do believe now Walden has indeed no longer has the rights to Narnia.

    I’m sorry if I sound kind of like a Puddleglum, but I’m really not sure what to feel right now, so apologies if I sound kind of upsetting. I honestly feel what many fans are feeling about the current state of the series.

    • The truth of the matter is that Walden Media has the rights for years to come. They want to continue the series, and there is work being done to make that happen. It may not happen, but they still hold the rights. And that’s fact based, not just assumption.

      • Hmm, well, okay… Sorry, just the lack of news has been getting to me lately, and I’ve been a bit on the dis-optimistic side about Narnia. We haven’t gotten any real updates or news since about late May, so this is kind of a disbelief moment for me. Well, we just have to wait and see. I’ll keep checking back for updates. πŸ™‚

  7. Larry411 is usually pretty reliable. I for one liked Dawn Treader. (I’ve only read the books once & it’s been years.)I would like more Narnia movies. (Plus I want more family friendly films.)

    • Agreed, Jenny! Plus, I’ve seen Larry411’s tweets actually happen a number of times. He doesn’t just report things to cause a stir, he does research with reliable sources.

  8. I am THRILLED! but, how to hold on till 2014???? they need to take some lessons from the HP people ij how to get things done!!!!!

    • The biggest difference between the production of HP and the production of Narnia… we’ll there are a number of differences. HP could use mostly the same sets, had the same cast, and the same writer. They were constantly in pre-production on all of the films that were yet to come, so while one was in post-production, the next would sometimes already be in production. As soon as one went into production, the pre-production team moved on to the next film to get things moving. This is a model that should also work for Narnia, but would only work with a different director for each film, due to the vast difference between each book.

        • the smartest move would be to up the christian themes and get the christian networks fired up. all the secular audience does is yawn.

          • i don’t agree with upping the christian themes, i’m part of the “secular audience” but i love the narnia films very, very much. i have nothing against christianity but i wouldn’t be able to help feeling alienated.

          • I disagree. The brilliance of Lewis is that wrote for many levels and many groups. Obviously Christian themes were paramount, but he wrote books that he himself would have read. There is something in these books for most everyone. One does not want to limit their audiences for these movies to be commercially successful. IMHO, Walden/Fox should adapt these movies as close to the books as possible.

  9. maybe they are actually going to film SC first cause of will’s age, but release it after MN?

    • Actually, per his tweet: “Source for MN info is Walden, source for SC is Fox 2000.”

      This doesn’t mean that Walden is doing MN and Fox 2000 is doing SC. It means that he got his information about the production status of MN from Walden, and likewise for Silver Chair, he asked Fox 2000.

  10. Obviously, there will be logistical problems with using the same characters unless they start filming VERY soon. They would have to do the last story first, because of all of the children who appear in that one. The last thing I want to see is someone else playing any of the four children. I would watch it, but it would be disappointing to have to get used to any other people playing one of the children. I’ve read all of the stories from beginning to end several times and it’s one of my all time favorite books. Tolkien and Lewis were just incredible men and I’m glad they were good friends too. πŸ™‚

    • In the Last Battle, we know the children are older, anyway, so a gap of a few years wouldn’t matter too much.
      As for HHB, the Pevensies are adults – Susan was being courted, remember.

  11. If true, great. But I seriously doubt this will happen… don’t know why, but I’ve lost faith in this project.

  12. how about the cast? they’re getting older and older. so in SC and HHB the cast will be just same or what?

    • they can totaly use the same cast for HHB, remember this was 14 years after LWW which means that Peter would now be 27, Susan would be 26, Edmonmd 24, and Lucy 25. so no worries about haveing to cange cast for HHB. however if they don’t hurry up and make SC someone else will have to play Eustace because will is already almost 19 (acording to Lewis’ time-line Eustace is onley supposed to be 9)

  13. It may not be much, but it is good and welcome news. I personally am very happy to hear that MN is in the works. While I like the entire series, there’s something about MN that I really enjoy. I think it has to do with the creation of Narnia itself. If I had been aware of the site/poll, my vote definitely would have been for MN over SC, but I won’t be the least bit upset if ANY other Narnia book makes it to screen before MN.

    • I was looking for MN to be done after the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrode and was a bit disappointed when it did not eventuate. So I am hoping that it is done. I have read the books when I was younger and am now reading them to my son who is also loving them and who enjoyed the DT movie. I wait and hope for more of the Series. I woud also like to see The Horse and His Boy made, but we will see.

  14. I would rather them wait another 2 years and reboot the entire series. It’s obvious there was no plan in place beyond getting the first film done. Now, it’s a a muddled mess. Wait a few years, get a creative team of producers and writers who will oversee the entire arch of movies, treat each movie as an installment, and operate under the The Lord Of The Rings model. Never once do you wonder if the next LOTR movie would MAKE it to theaters. Sorry, but Walden let this wonderful series of books and the fans of the books down. I don’t want any more Narnia movies just to exist. I want wonderful, creative movies true to the books and with continuity that only comes from a well thought out production plan.

    • That’s a little harsh – I have loved the first three and hope they make them all (Thank you Walden). VDT was magical and inspiring and a lot of people loved it. The current gap is my only concern but hopefully it will just mean a slight delay and will avoid a clash with The Hobbit.

    • I’D LIKE TO SEE A MINISERIES OF IT, REAL true to the books. no blockbuster mentality. true to the meaningful themes. a miniseries would keep it from being rushed.

  15. Thanks for the information Paul – we really appreciate the time you have put into this. It does sound exciting. I absolutely loved the ‘Dawn Treader’ film and have enjoyed all three. Everyone i have talked to in the Uk who has seen DT loved it. I am glad Lucy was older in VDT as it made sense that Aslan says she’d grown up and wouldn’t return. In the BBC version (which I also like) Prince Caspian and VDT were filmed at the same time and it didn’t make sense to me. Obviously the curent ‘gap’ is a concern re: Will Poulter’s (Eustace) age but I’m sure they can work it out as he was perfect in VDT – so funny. I have just started reading and watching the Harry Potter books/ films. The HP films are not as good as the books but they are still good (although I still have some concernws about the subject matter). Obviously, the Narnia films are much better. HP films do well because the books are more current and have just been released so are more well known amongst modern children although lots of children still love Narnia too.

  16. I want to believe this, I really do. But I’ve been disappointed so often that I refuse to get my hopes up… πŸ™ Whoops, too late, my hopes are up. *Sigh*

  17. Considering that it’s not confirmed, it’s not much to hope for. But even this is better than having absolutely nothing to hope for. I really hope this is true…maybe not everyone did, but I loved Dawn Treader and have watched it many times on DVD! Thanks for being always so positive about Narnia, Paul!

    • Hey, thanks for noticing that I like to maintain a positive attitude! I’m hopeful as well, and we’re trying to get to the bottom of things. We’ve got various friends reaching out to various sources to try and find out what the latest information is regarding the series.

      • I am all for being positive! If this is true, it’s the best news I’ve heard since VDT was announced! I just wish they could bump up the release dates. Further up and further in!

  18. I want them to make “The Silver Chair” and not “The Magician’s Nephew”. what’s the point????

  19. Wow, I did not think it like that. That is interesting and clever. So release MN first because it is believed to be more popular and suitable as the next runner up for the series, but keeping in mind Will Poulter’s age is going to become a problem. So they plan to get into production once MN has been released and have SC released the following year. I am now officially happy with this prospect.

    Only downsides I see with this plan is that the SC will be rushed into being made if they plan to release it the following year. The last downside is that we won’t know how well MN will do in order for SC to be greenlit. In that case I guess MN will have to be released earlier in the year to give enough time for a decision and then filming in roughly a year’s time. Unless they plan on doing SC anyways despite the results of MN.

    Anyways, all in all I am happy with the prospect of how they wish to procede with this because it seems to satisfy both ends of the dilemma of doing one over the other.

  20. All I can say is “Well, you know how it feels if you begin hoping for something you want desperately badly; you’ve been disappointed so often before… It might- really really might be true.”

    C.S.Lewis from “The Magician’s Nephew”

  21. I am happy in the part that they have started with magician’s nephew’s script, But it’s right, why it will take so long?? I began to think that it was because they must get (in the mayority) new Cast and maybe crew for them. But in the silver chair will ben barnes return?? Because caspian is a 70 year old man…

  22. Hey peeps! Looong time no see? Wow! This is amazing news, can’t wait to tell my friends and family! Thanks for te news!(It sure has been a while since I’ve been on here….)

  23. At this point I don’t care which one they do next. And I wish it was sooner, but I can wait untill 2014. I just want more Narnia. FOR NARNIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Sorry- feeling realy passionate right now πŸ™‚ )

  24. i have a shirt idea one shirt can say team MN or team magician for those who want MN next and the other one can say team SC or team silver chair for those who want SC next

  25. I’m not sure, but this is how it might happen and why it has taken so long for us to finally hear some news;

    Because Moore had secured funding for MN Walden Media was ready to produce it. And after that they will release SC. But if you take Poulter’s age in considering, he would be too old. So What I think is Walden have negotiated with Fox for another funding for MN. First the will produce SC and after that MN but release MN first and after that SC. Wouldn’t this make sense?

  26. Oh wow. Finally. Even if this is just a rumor… I felt like the Narnian cogs had stopped spinning and I would have to find another movie or TV show. Keep your fingers crossed though!!

  27. I feel like I should be incredulous and second-guessing, but then I’m too exited to be doubtful…My expectations are very high for the continuation of Narnia, and frankly, I don’t really care what movie they come out with next.
    I’m merely hoping that they do a good job…I was very disappointed with PC and VoDT, but I think they know what they need to do now…
    So I’m supporting them.
    Keep hoping!!!

  28. I wonder how this will work. Considering the fact that MN will need to make money in order for SC to be made, I wonder how this will work? Could they be so sure that MN will make enough money? Maybe….
    But Silver Chair will probably be the most expensive of all the movies. It combines the large amount of scenes that VDT had, with the largest amount of special effects any of the movies will need. I’m really much more excited about SC than MN. I think MN is going to be changed quite a lot due to a lack of action scenes, so don’t get your hopes up for a good version of MN.

  29. Has this been confirmed yet? πŸ™‚ I am very hopeful about it. The Narnia films can’t die!!! But i’m surprised no one official has confirmed or refuted this news.

  30. I strongly believe that this would eventually happen. But I’m afraid it might not reach any blockbuster level or any level closest to it. It’s because I really have observed that the previous film went down, maybe because they have added new casts or it maybe was because they have changed directors/staff/writers etc. Walden or any company holding its rights as of the moment would of course consider if it would capture the mass and make money. The first two movies for me were able to tell what the book they represent was about. Treader, was not so inspiring and lifting than the movies it succeeded. And I’m crying when I’m writing this =(

  31. I’ve enjoyed reading everything you’ve all had to say.
    Narina has been in my life for as long as I can remember from my dad reading it me AA a child to watching the BBC attempt even though they only film LWW – SC.
    The new films have been great if and mostly managed to capture the magic of narnia, but the huge wait between film has been shocking. Everytime time they draw more people in as fans the massive wait will not help in keeping them entertained, and the lack of confirmed news it even worse.
    I honestly wanted the next film to be SC just because I thought they cast Eustace brilliantly and having to change him will be a great dissapointment.
    But as many of you have said, narnia is amazing and as long as the next film is good I’m sure no one will truly mind which one is next, as long as they all get made at some point.
    Please hurry and confirm release dates πŸ˜€

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