“The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” a spectacular live-action/CGI motion picture adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ beloved literary classic, began principal photography on location in Auckland, New Zealand, on June 28, 2004. The production, a joint venture between the Walt Disney Studios and Walden Media, is the first live-action adaptation of Lewis’ book for the motion picture screen, and represents one of the biggest undertakings ever mounted by both companies.

Holly is one of four animatronic reindeer working on Andrew Adamson’s The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe after the living variety struck problems with Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry regulations.

James Cosmo has finished his scenes as Father Christmas. Anyone have pictures?

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, the 1950 fantasy tale by CS Lewis and the best loved of the Narnia Chronicles, came second in the survey carried out by the Cartoon Network, followed by Scottish writer Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island, published in 1883.

Tolkien also makes the list with the Lord of the Rings (#6) and the Hobbit (#8).

As we look forward to the upcoming big screen production there are a few key points in the book that we hope find their way into the motion picture. I am not talking about scenes or images that I can’t wait to see at the theater, but themes that bind not only this book but also all the Narnia books together. Themes like redemption and healing, brotherhood and the undying Good vs. Evil.

The first installment of what could become a seven-part Chronicles of Narnia series will be released on December 9, 2005.

A spokesman for the $170 million production could not confirm whether the movie will be screened worldwide on the same day, or if the date refers to its release in the United States only.

In other Narnia news, the film has been moved from a Christmas 2005 release to December 9 – no clue why, although it does place the film very close to Peter Jackson’s King Kong. And while we know that Tilda Swinton (who was in The War Zone with Winstone) will be playing the White Witch, we still aren’t sure who is playing Aslan the lion.

Another Lord of the Rings alumnus joins the crew of LWW, joining other LOTR alumni Kiran Shah and Shane Rangi on the set.

Ray Winstone has been cast as the voice of Mr. Beaver in the upcoming Narnia film. Winstone will co-star with British comic Dawn French who will voice the part of Mrs. Beaver.