Of those three, I think the cat in HHB is the most vital. A crucial idea in that story is that Shasta thought he was the most unfortunate person in the world, and that he had the bad luck of meeting multiple lions on his journey... and then he finds out that actually it was Aslan all along, watching out for him. This enabled Shasta to look back at experiences that seemed bad at the time, and realize that they had to happen that way, and it all worked out for the best. Can't tell you how many experiences like that I've had.

As far as the story goes, the important part of the Dark Island episode is that they are saved by Aslan when all hope seems lost. Not necessarily vital that the help come by him transforming into an albatross. However, I like the idea of using an albatross because throughout history, sailors have viewed albatross sightings as a sign of good luck (and its injury or death as a bad omen). I think it fits in very well to the sea-adventure feel of the book. Not essential to the story. Just really really cool, so I'll be really disappointed if they don't do it.

The only function the lamb serves is to say very clearly "in case you haven't been paying attention at all, Aslan is Jesus." It doesn't have an important story point. So I would call that one the least important of the three listed.
The line "there I have another name" is far more important. The story shouldn't end with "you've had your time... bye forever." The book ends with a sense of hope: They will never return to Narnia but they can still be with Aslan in a way. He's in their world too.

^^I agree. I wouldn't mind if they cut him turning into a lamb but they have to keep the dialouge in that scene.

I'm with glumPuddle, Aslan appearing as a cat is the most important. However, I would hate to see the other ones cut. I can't think of any reason they would......but you never know.........

I like the idea of using an albatross because throughout history, sailors have viewed albatross sightings as a sign of good luck (and its injury or death as a bad omen). I think it fits in very well to the sea-adventure feel of the book.

It's also an allusion to Rime of the Ancient Mariner. As a reader of classic literature, I would love to see the albatross.

The only function the lamb serves is to say very clearly "in case you haven't been paying attention at all, Aslan is Jesus." It doesn't have an important story point. So I would call that one the least important of the three listed.

I don't know, it shows a different aspect of Aslan. It's not necessary to the story, but it's an interesting character moment. They've known Aslan as a not tame lion, and now he appears as a tame lamb. It's not strictly necessary, but I would miss the lamb even more than the albatross.

Of those three, I think the cat in HHB is the most vital.

I totally agree that the Cat in HHB is the most important.

Can't tell you how many experiences like that I've had.

Ditto glumPuddle. That's the theme in HHB that I love. The scene where Aslan is explaining to Shasta how it was him watching over him the whole time, it's one of my favorite scenes in all the Chronicles.

The only function the lamb serves is to say very clearly "in case you haven't been paying attention at all, Aslan is Jesus." It doesn't have an important story point. So I would call that one the least important of the three listed.
The line "there I have another name" is far more important. The story shouldn't end with "you've had your time... bye forever." The book ends with a sense of hope: They will never return to Narnia but they can still be with Aslan in a way. He's in their world too.

Again I agree with you and think as long as they include the dialoged the scene will be great. Although I would still love to see him as a Lamb.

I think they will have him shape shift! why would they cut those bits? I hope they do have those scenes, ecpecially the part with the albatross!

^^maybe only b/c of costs, or they feel it's not necessary. Unlike everyone on here

I really hope they keep these scenes, especialy the Lamb and Cat ones. I completely forgot about the albatross til you guys mentioned it, and seeing that its my second favorite bird, they'd better keep that one too

Bet seriously these scenes add so much to the plot, theme, and characterization, it would be a shame to remove them. (Hint to movie peoples )

I think that it's important to have all the forms of Aslan appear in the films. I think that we will definitely see the albatross in VDT, I can't really see a reason for it to be cut. It seems quite obvious to have a sea bird shown with a seafaring film (or story). I don't think that it would be too hard to include either on the visual level (there's no physical transformation into anything else and another voiceover actor wouldn't be needed).

I personally would like to see the transformation of the lamb into a lion. Yes, we have gotten a taste of Aslan's moods from the previous films, but I would really like to see the two most extreme sides of the spectrum. What's more extreme than the comparison of a lion and a lamb? Personally, I'm a big fan of morphs in animation. So, having Aslan changed from a lamb to a lion could be really visually stunning to see in film form if done right (otherwise it may just end up looking tacky or corny).

The cat in HHB would be quite interesting to see visullay as well. Having the image actually look like a lion in the distance and morphing into a cat as it approaches Shasta. The only way I see this being cut is if the whole scene is cut. Without the cat in the scene, it's just Shasta sort of hanging out with a bunch of tombs, not much to keep the viewer occupied. Again, it's another form of comfort for the characters.

It never even occurred to me that they would leave this part out.

I think it's pretty memorable, it certainly helps the book stand out from the rest. What I mean is, it's something you think of when you think Dawn Treader.

I agree with Lion's Emblem, I don't see any reason for it to be cut - unless they're hearing the clang of budget alarm bells, but then this is important. Although, I do hear what glumPuddle is saying, it doesn't seem to have a storytelling motivation behind it. Tricky. The dialogue is most important, but the lamb is such a lovely way of showing the audience, coupled with telling them.

I can see why they could leave it out, but I don't think they would.

They should keep the albatross. It is a reference to the Rime of the Ancient Mariner. It is a powerful symbol.

Lamb, well, it seems more of a hint and clue than anything else. This one I will not get too upset if they cut out.

The cat in HHB should be kept. Still a cat.

Why the concern with the shapeshifting? Is it because of the possible supernatural and thus religious implications? Are they trying to keep the movie from being too religious and thus trying to avoid the wrath of the P.C. police? Or is it simply a matter of its not getting too expensive?

Personally, I think they should keep all of Aslan's forms, so the audience doesn't get stuck with the idea that Aslan is just a lion. He's more than that. And I think it'll help settle things a bit in LB with the whole lion skin and there being wild lions in Narnia. I agree that the cat is probably the most important story element, but I feel that the albatross and the lamb are equally significant, but for different reasons. The part with the albatross is probably my favorite. It is a beautiful scene that inspires hope in the darkest of times. To simply hear Aslan's voice would not be enough. I think having the albatross physically present will show that Aslan cares enough that He's willing to come and be with them in order to provide comfort and direction. And I really think the lamb is significant as well. It shows that things are not always as they seem, and is sort of like a reminder to Edmund and Lucy that while they may not always recognize Him, Aslan is always around, and that they must learn to keep an eye out for Him so that they can recognize Him when He is in another form. Also, I think this scene is parallel to the resurrected Christ meeting His disciples on the shore of Galilee with a fire and fish ready for them to eat. It is there that He tells them His parting message: "Feed my sheep". To take this scene away is like taking that part out of the Bible--it just won't work.

if they lest out the parts with Aslan shapeshifting, then it would mess up the plot.....

They should definitely keep the "shapeshifting". I love the symbolism in the end of VDT w/ the lamb(Aslan) giving them fish for breakfast, Fire Fairy; I'm sure C.S. Lewis knew exactly what he was doing when he put that in.

I'd rather they just keep everything by the book, if they took the parts out everything would be different, and not the way it should be. The story would sort of be blemished