The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

The Walt Disney Studios has entered into an agreement with Walden Media to co-finance and distribute the long-awaited motion picture “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe,” the first book published in C.S. Lewis’ famed series, it was announced today (3/1) by Dick Cook, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios, and Cary Granat, chief executive officer of Walden Media.

The latter project could evolve into a similarly big franchise, since it is based on one of C.S. Lewis’s seven Narnia chronicles. Unlike Jackson, who shot the three Rings films in one block, Adamson said he is focusing on one movie at a time.

Rumor has it that Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe tried out for the roles of Peter and Susan for LWW. No word on whether the roles have been cast or if they got the parts, but what we know is that there are short lists, and that casting has been going on for quite some time, under the supervision of casting director Pippa Hall.

Our live action slate offers a whole new area of opportunity with Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, and future Pirates of the Caribbean adventures. All three properties will enjoy high pre-awareness and will be supported by significant pre-film marketing. Both will drive merchandise sell-in and sell-through.

The One Hundred Year Winter (AKA The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe)

Format: International Feature

Dates: PreProd: Feb 2004 Shoot: July – Dec 2004

Location: Ex Auckland

Production Co: Lamp Post Productions

Director: Andrew Adamson

“[Chronicles of Narnia] doesn’t come out for 18 months, but we started working on the DVD eight months ago,” Burnett added.

LWW

Walden Media has engaged highly acclaimed director Andrew Adamson, the visionary behind last year’s box office smash and Academy-Award winner “Shrek,” to helm the first live action feature film adaptation of “The Lion, the Witch […]