The LORD OF THE RINGS and HARRY POTTER franchises kick-started a revival of fantasy movies in the early 2000's, not all of which were successful. One of the exceptions was Andrew Adamson's THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE, which was meant to be the first of an epic NARNIA franchise. Two further sequels followed, PRINCE CASPIAN and THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER, but enthusiasm for the series waned significantly and development on a fourth film was halted.
Last year it was announced that TriStar Pictures would partner with Mark Gordon Company, Entertainment One and the C.S. Lewis Company to adapt C.S. Lewis' "The Silver Chair". We haven't heard all that much about the potential project since then, but Variety is now reporting that Joe Johnston (CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER) is set to direct the film. Titled NARNIA: THE SILVER CHAIR, the film will serve as a revival of the CHRONICLES OF NARNIA franchise with David Magee (LIFE OF PI) penning the script.
In a statement, Mark Gordon had this to say:
Joe is a wonderful storyteller who is equally at home in the biggest franchises and the most intimate character pieces. Because C.S. Lewis’ story is iconic and epic but also tender, personal, and emotional, he’s the perfect choice to bring ‘The Silver Chair’ to the screen.
"The Silver Chair" takes place several decades after "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" and finds King Caspian as an old man whose son and only heir, Prince Rilian, has gone missing. Aslan brings two children from England, Eustace Scrubb and Jill Pole, and tasks them with solving the mystery. Although NARNIA: THE SILVER CHAIR will contain several characters who previously appeared in the series, Mark Gordon has said that it will be the start of a "brand new franchise. All original. All original characters, different directors, and an entire new team that this is coming from." Works for me, but I certainly wouldn't object if Liam Neeson was brought back to voice Aslan.
Are you folks down for more NARNIA and if so, how do you feel about Joe Johnston taking the helm?