Disney Abandons Voyage of the Dawn Treader
While the second installment in the Chronicles of Narnia series didn’t exactly blow the roof off the box office, I definitely didn’t see this coming. Disney has announced that for budgetary and logistical reasons it is not exercising its option to co-produce and co-finance the third Narina movie with Walden Media.
The third entry in the series, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, based on the classic book by C.S. Lewis, was in preproduction and set for a spring shoot for a planned May 2010 release. This new development puts all of that in question.
Michael Apted (Amazing Grace, The World Is Not Enough) was on board to direct a script by Steven Knight and the key players of the second installment, Prince Caspian — Ben Barnes, Georgie Henley, William Moseley and Anna Popplewell — were set to return for the third film.
Walden has a strong relationship with the Lewis estate and will shop Treader in hopes of finding a new partner. According to the trades, the most likely candidate at this stage is Fox, which markets and distributes Walden fare under the Fox Walden banner.
The first film, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, was shot mostly in New Zealand for $180 million. Caspian, which filmed in the Czech Republic, Mexico and New Zealand, cost $200 million.
Lion grossed $292 million domestically and another $453 million internationally in 2005. Earlier this year, Prince Caspian made $141 million in North America and another $278 million internationally.
This is such a sad new.
That too just before Christmas.
Prince Caspian didnt grossed so well because of the stiff competition from Indiana Jones 4,Kung Fu Panda, Iron Man etc.
The first scored so much as it was released when there was no competitive movies.
Disney shouldnt have done this.
Lets cross our fingers that Dawn Treader gets a green signal soon.
Ekta | Dec 24th, 2008
Disny said thay made no money on Prince Caspian. Prince Caspian made $141 million in North America and another $278 million internationally.that adds up 419 milloion to make it.it cost $180 million to make. thats 219 million to the good Lion grossed $292 million domestically and another $453 million internationally that adds up to 745 million and cost to make $200 million that is $565 million to the good whats wrong with disny a profit was made i think a good one with both movies it add up to $784 million that not a nuff for disny we love both movies and was looking forward to the next one but disny is just to greedy thay just what more we all need to tell GREEDY DISNEY were to go!
rick k | Dec 24th, 2008
That’s bogus. Prince Capsian was the best movie of the year. In fact it was the best movie of the decade. WHEN they make the Dawn Treader movie I will deffinintly buy it.
Charlotte | Dec 24th, 2008
Disney Sucks!!! Isn’t Prince Caspian making them tons of money with DVD sales?? It’s been number 1 for two weeks!! What the hell are thry thinking?!?!
Sandy | Dec 24th, 2008
Sorry!! I am so mad right now…I meant what the hell are they thinking (Disney).
Sandy | Dec 24th, 2008
I have read the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. It is really good to know characters, a plot, and atmosphere. My intuition told me to read the book Prince Caspian, therefore its movie can be compared in essence of fulfillment. By the way, I have seen the second chronicle movie, its deep and for mature audiences. Also Prince Caspian is very handsome however he needs more expression of who he is, where is his destined place to be known always, and what it takes to feel accepted hence his way into others hearts because he’s the only male child to be exercised in line as prince to King Of Narnia. I am an adult woman who truly sees the potential for any character to lead audiences into the concept of relating distinctive appeal.
Kimberly Kelley | Dec 25th, 2008
Finding out about this was so horrifying, I nearly died. Just because Prince Caspian didn’t make as much money doesn’t mean they should just tank the whole franchise. Prince Caspian faced alot of competition this summer while The Lion, witch, wardrobe hardly had any. Maybe Prince Caspian’s performance was poorer due to reviewers and word of mouth. While I thought the film was pretty good (not as good as the first though) some viewers might not have enjoyed the never-ending action sequences and told others to wait for it on DVD. Disney really shouldn’t give up on Narnia. If they faithfully translate the events in Dawn Treader onto the screen and market it well with a smart release date, Dawn Treader could earn even more than the two previous films.
However if Disney has already made its final decision… I hope that 20th Century Fox will try and keep the same tone as the previous film (family oriented) and do a pretty good job with Walden.
Disney used to be about dreams. Now it’s all about money, scrapping the series just because they didn’t make as much as they wanted.
Jason | Dec 28th, 2008
To paraphrase Aunt Em from WIZARD OF OZ: “If I weren’t a lady, I would tell these people what I really think of them.” This is completely and utterly ridiculous, Ben Barnes was fantastic, and rereading DAWN TREADER now, he would be so wonderful and perfect, and they’re scrapping it over MONEY!?!?!?!
Katie | Dec 28th, 2008
My whole family is very disappointed about this whole thing. Disney should get their focus back on “Family” friendly films. They are focusing too much on “worldly” things right now and forgetting the family. We thought Ben Barnes and the original cast were WONDERFUL. We also would like for whomever picks Dawn Treader up to also try to get Andrew Adamson back as director, he made it good and kid safe.
Elisabeth | Dec 29th, 2008
I read The Chronicles of Narnia as a child and loved them. When The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe was released, I saw it five times at the theater, and subsequently numerous times after its release on dvd. Before Prince Caspian was released, (I saw it four times at the theater), I reread the seven chronicles. I ask Disney to please reconsider its decision not to invest in The Dawn Treader, and then The Silver Chair at least. I love these chronicles.
Ted | Jan 4th, 2009
Ok.. Disney has gone corporate (much like Walmart)…. Although Disney does have the money and the name-Disney, I think a much better movie can be made without the aid of Mickey Mouse or Donald Duck.. Hopefully Fox will pick it up like they are speculating.. Walden Media IS responsible for the Narnia movies being produced along with Douglas Gresham (C.S. Lewis’s stepson)and Andrew Adamson’s visions.. Disney was just there for the ride and to throw some extra money in there.. From now on I vow NOT to support Disney in any way because they abondoned one of my favorite book series.. Join me in my stand against Disney and buy something else or go see something else.. Support Walden Media (no i dont work for them, lol but like what they do).. Who’s with me? Lol
Useless Scrubb | Jan 5th, 2009
I grew up reading these books, it was one of my favorite series! When I heard at 20+ years old that they were going to finally make the books into major motion pictures, I was so excited! I went back to my childhood! When I saw LWW in theaters for the first time, I had this grand visual in my mind of how I had imagined the book out when I read it, most specifically the scene with the lamp post when Lucy first walks into the snowy wood. The movie was true to everything. It was visually stunning, especially the lamp post scene, and the actors are tremendously talented at bringing the characters to life. What an amazing series. I hope someone continues to make the movie now that Disney is being a greedy bunch of jerks. FOR NARNIAAAAA! AND FOR ASLAN!!!
Susan | Jan 6th, 2009
I plan on seeing Voyage several times if it’s made! Disney’s gonna lose out!
Ariah | Jan 6th, 2009
Very disappointed with Disney!!
I Liked both Narnia films and was really looking forward to “The Voyage of the Dawn Treader”. The book is very good. And one of my favourite characters, Reepicheep, plays a big part in it.
Maybe all fans should bye an extra copy of the “Prince Caspian” DVD, sa presents or something. Good sales may encourage another company to take on the film.
Do hope Walden finds a new company!!!
Elisabeth | Jan 16th, 2009
Yay, I am glad Disney pulled the plug regardless of the reason and I hope no one picks it up. CS Lewis never wanted his books made into live action films anyhow. When Disney started it, I thought so much for honoring last requests, but their may still be hope yet.
Herman | Jan 23rd, 2009
Now maybe more children and adults will discover the real magic of his works by reading the books and not just watching the movies.
Herman | Jan 23rd, 2009
hi
lina | Feb 7th, 2009
oooohhhhh……I’ve been waiting for this movie to be released!!
I’m glad that Anna Popplewell plays in this movie!
I want to see the relationship between her (Susan) and Ben (Caspian) ^^
Love those two!
Can’t wait to see it!
Fight hard for the crew and the cast!!!
Naru | Mar 26th, 2009