EMI Music – the world’s largest independent music company – will work with Walt Disney Studios and Walden Media to produce two soundtracks of music inspired by what is one of 2005’s most anticipated films, a live action adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ bestselling classic, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. The two soundtracks, to be released by EMI on worldwide basis, will feature songs from some of today’s best selling artists.
EMI Music’s Nashville-based EMI CMG will release a soundtrack of songs inspired by the film featuring mainstream pop and rock artists on October 25. A second record featuring today’s most popular artists in the Christian music genre will be the first to release on September 27. Radio singles and music videos from each record will bow in August.
“The appeal of C.S. Lewis’ classic series is universal, and his writings have stood the test of time bringing pure enjoyment to generations of readers,” said David Munns, Chairman and CEO, EMI Music North America. “EMI is delighted to be working closely with Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media to deliver music inspired by The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe film to fans around the world.”
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, first published in 1950, is the second and best-known novel in the seven-part Chronicles of Narnia series by noted Oxford author C.S. Lewis. The series has sold more than 85 million books globally to date and has been published in 29 different languages.
“Aligning Disney and Walden Media with EMI Music worldwide made perfect sense for this project right from the start. EMI’s global reach, internationally acclaimed artist roster and diversely experienced management team ensures us the consummate music collaborator for this awesome property. It’s really a pleasure for us to team up with EMI on this one,” said Mitchell Leib, President, Music & Soundtracks Walt Disney Pictures and Television/Buena Vista Music Group.
The film, produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media, will be released worldwide on December 9.
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe is directed by Andrew Adamson, who also directed the Academy Award winning animated film Shrek and Shrek 2, produced by Academy Award winning Mark Johnson (Rain Man), with a screenplay by Emmy Award winning Ann Peacock (A Kiss Before Dying), and special effects provided by WETA, the winner of four Academy Awards for The Lord of The Rings.
“Keeping the integrity of C.S. Lewis’s cherished work has always been the #1 goal for Walden and Disney,” said Lindsay Fellows, Vice President Motion Picture Music, AFG/Walden Media/Bristol Bay. “EMI’s team understands this and their musical contributions will have a major impact on his legacy and this amazing film.”
EMI is currently in discussions with some of today’s best selling artists about their participation in these soundtracks. Be sure to watch for confirmed artist announcements from EMI in the coming weeks and months.
EMI Music is the world’s largest independent record company, operating in nearly 50 countries around the world. Its record labels include Angel, Astralwerks, Blue Note, Capitol, EMI, EMI Classics, Manhattan, Mute, Parlophone and Virgin.
