Production Companies

Following the success of their debut range from The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe, Weta have once again teamed up with Disney Consumer Products and the talented technicians who worked on the highly anticipated sequel releasing this summer, The Chronicles Of Narnia: Prince Caspian, to create a line of statues and miniatures based on the film.

Today HarperCollins Children’s Books announces the launch of its “Read It Before You See It” global digital campaign for C. S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia. The massive web presence focuses attention on the seven books in the series as a lead in to the Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media release of ‘The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian’ film on May 16, 2008.

Shooting for Narnia was done in New Zealand and Czech Republic. This story is bigger in scope, with a new look and vision. “Darker and more savage” because of the storyline( the Narnia creatures have been exiled), but still family entertainment. One aspect as a director that returning to Narnia allowed was to change / do over the creatures. Felt that last movie all the creatures were 20 – 25 years old. This time wanted to make younger and older creatures to give a fuller back drop to story. UPDATED: YouTube Video and AICN summary.

Following overwhelming consumer and media response of Blu-ray technology being the leading format of choice for home entertainment – Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment and Panasonic Electronics today announce the official extension of Disney’s Magical Blu-ray Tour to visit seven additional North American cities in 2008. The announcement was made by Bob Chapek, president of Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment.

From radionz.co.nz: Head of Weta Workshop Richard Taylor on his busy year.

There’s quick mention that they worked on Prince Caspian, but nothing really new. It is interesting, though.

[Listen at Radio New Zealand]

‘Molly’ writes: I went to the Randy Testa (Walden Media) talk tonight at Boston College entitled “Building Bridges between Books and Movies.”

As part of the Conversations with…Author/Illustrator Series, Randy Testa will be showing clips from Walden Media’s films as wells as preview clips from Prince Caspian. No word on what clips will be shown. This is available only to members of the Foundation of Children’s Books, however. Here are details.

Dean Wright admits the bar has been raised in this second installment of the Narnia franchise.