Good grief, even I'm not that irritated with Gael's presence.

A dragon shadow swooping across a mountainside.

Volia, Cep!

Indeed. ShadowoftheDragon does not have quite the same ring as ShadowoftheLion ... who does not hang around here much anymore.

I don't expect to see much of Dragon Eustace until the movie comes out in December. Kinda sensitive about how well this that is done, but I have a lot of confidence. The powers-that-be must know Dragon Eustace is going to be a big reveal when it happens.

Well, I... may have exaggerated a little. However, the point of the exercise was to exaggerate and expend all the anger I possibly could. Now, I am not angry and won't be again because I have already been angry at everything.

Ugh, the whole journey to Ramandu's island to battle the everlasting darkness. I thought the whole point of the voyage was to find the seven missing lords and to explore beyond the Lone Islands (wasn't it in the book that nobody in Narnia knew what was beyond the Lone Islands and now, somehow by magic, the DT crew know that they have to find a place called Ramandu's Island? And just where are the seven lords?). Now I'm even more confused about Gael's purpose, just where does she fit? I thought I maybe had it figured out, but now I'm just not sure. I am
really curious about the church scene as well. With the mention of the lion gargoyles, I just hope it doesn't become cliche showing all the lion elements in the real world before going to Narnia (when thought with the connection of the lion statue outside the railway station in PC). I like the idea, I just shutter at the thought of the cliche effect. Eh, with the line about the "lint", I hope it's not inserting humor where it shouldn't be.

On the positive end. I am looking forward to seeing the visuals when the water from the painting when it fills the bedroom and Edmund, Lucy, and Eustace have to swim to the surface. Good to hear Eustace is seen writing in his journal, but I do wonder what sort of things he writes if he's talking to an albatross (hopefully this isn't the only albatross and there is indeed a particular one at Dark Island). The scene with Ramandu's daughter at Aslan's Table sounds good, I want to see the effects on this one (stepping out of the light). Also really looking forward to seeing the Magician's Book scene. I'm glad to hear that the beauty spell and Susan will both be there. It's also good to hear about Aslan's dialogue at the end. I just hope that they didn't hint a little bit, but really butchered the actual dialogue (for example, changing "the lioness" dialogue bit in PC. Sure it's in there, but it definitely didn't have the same impact as the book).

Still a bit up and down on the film. I can't wait to see some footage so my doubts can be put at ease. The wait continues...

Cep: As you said, they probably want to wait to reveal the dragon, but there's also the possibility that they haven't finished animating him yet...

Was anyone else surprised by the total lack of Caspian in subjectofthehighking's report? I'm surprised no one has brought this up yet, because his entire report never once mentions him. His cabin is mentioned, but he himself is never mentioned. Everything seems to focus mostly on Lucy and, to a lesser degree, Edmund and Eustace. Is this just subject's account or is Caspian really such a minor part of this film?

Another scene includes Lucy comforting Gael as she misses her mother by telling her to trust in Aslan.

This segment on top of other parts of the trailer lead me to believe that the themes in this film could be very Christian. I'd say that VDT is by far the most explicitly Christian of the books, and I was afraid we might lose this, but if anything, it looks like Apted may have made Aslan more of an ever present deity than just the Lion who shows up every once and a while to get them out of scrapes and eventually teach them a lesson at the end.

Okay here's my question.

We know they have consolidated the islands down to 5.

We know the Lone Islands is in the film because we've seen lots of pictures of it.
We know Ramandu's Island and the Dark Island are in it thanks to this report. We've also heard reports of Deathwater Island, so we can pretty sure that is in the film. And we know that Dufflepud Island is in the film, (or at least the events that take place on it). So since that accounts for 5 island does that mean Dragon Island was cut from the film, and he will be transformed on a different island? Deathwater Island perhaps?

Another clip of the book includes Lucy looking on the page of the spell of beauty beyond the lot of mortals, and her image in the books morphs into an image of Susan.
Really weird. Unless her looking beautiful beyond a lot of mortals is looking like Susan, and I hope beyond hope I am wrong, that doesn’t make any sense.

I'm confused as to why you would think this is weird as it's the same concept as that in the book. Lucy is jealous of Susan's beauty, and wants to look like her. Perhaps in the book Lucy doesn't "turn into" Susan, but I'm sure she would have wanted to. Maybe, in Lucy's opinion Susan IS "beauty beyond the lot of mortals."

Was anyone else surprised by the total lack of Caspian in subjectofthehighking's report? I'm surprised no one has brought this up yet, because his entire report never once mentions him.

Perhaps subjectofthehighking's report doesn't contain any sign of Caspian, but the report from The Lion's Call does:

In Caspian's cabin (or perhaps Drinian's) Edmund, with Lucy standing by, expresses confusion to the effect of, "If everything's all right and nobody's attacking Narnia, then why are we here?" Caspian: "I've been wondering the same thing."

I'm guessing the lack of Caspian in the trailer is either coincidental or part of Fox's marketing scheme. I'm quite sure he will have a large roll in the movie.

I'll always be a,
NL101

Coriaken unrolls a huge map, his voiceover telling them of the perils ahead.

It sounds like Dufflepud Island is going to be closer to the beginning than the end

A very good point - Not only does Coriakin appear to be given them some map-based exposition to establish the basis of the quest (something you might expect to be nearer the beginning) but the scene with him blowing lint at Eustace seems to me to be when Eustace is still a brat, which again would place the island much earlier on than it is in the book.

Of course it could be that he is there to set-up the basis for the finale only, and that the scene with Eustace could be interpreted in a different manner to place it after the undragoning... Who knows?

Hmm…….why a church? Are Aunt Alberta and Uncle Harold going to come out of the church with Eustace and act really weird. Or will Aunt Alberta be gossiping about the Pevensies.

I am really curious about the church scene as well. With the mention of the lion gargoyles, I just hope it doesn't become cliche showing all the lion elements in the real world before going to Narnia (when thought with the connection of the lion statue outside the railway station in PC). I like the idea, I just shutter at the thought of the cliche effect.

I would assume the fact that it is a church (or what the viewer assumed to be a church) is pretty much irrelevant to the scene. I can imagine it is merely a scene setting shot, possibly the very first shot of the movie (as a transition from the studio logos), which will then pan out to reveal the WWII Street Scene we saw them filming at the MovieWorld Car Park. I can imagine the only reason they chose a church, or other such ornate building, to start the shot with, was as Lion's Emblem said - so they could continue the real-world Lion theme established in the last film (and which was also featured in the early Anne Peacock draft of LWW)

In fact, i'd wager that the ornate building wasn't a church at all, but was rather an ornate University building - a piece of imagery which would aid in quickly establishing the location as being Cambridge (or Oxford as one of the reports here seemed to suggest). There was actually a previous report from the Movie World carpark filming which said they would digitally insert a backdrop of Oxford University on the blue screens behind the street set. As i mentioned before, either they both got Oxford and Cambridge University mixed up (which is very often the case) or they have switched it round for some reason.

I just had a thought about Ramandu. What if Ramandu is the ''blue star'' they follow? What if when they come to Ramandu's island, RD says,''This is my father, Ramandu's island, he is the ''blue star'' you followed to get here.'' Please don't do this, Mr. Apted.

Most of this seems good--but I have a few thoughts.

Coriakin being at the beginning and him throwing lint at Eustace to scare him seems to indicate Eustace being pre-conversion, so to speak. This either indicates that conversion has been bumped down or Dufflepud Island has been bumped up.

I'm inclined to think the latter, as Coriakin seems to be giving all of the travelers advice on what to do, as one would do at the beginning of the adventure.

What's all this annoying stuff about saving Narnia from an unfathomable fate? That's not what Dawn Treader is about, people! It's about discovery and adventure in the lands beyond Narnia--not saving Narnia. Again.

I'm thinking that Ramandu has been cut as well. Nuts.

At one of our colleague websites NarniaFans,

After the preview, Mr. Flaherty gave a few of his own opinions, saying that Eustace’s transformation, though not specifically described in the book, is shown in detail in the film, and came out “beautifully.” He repeated that sentiment regarding Eustace and Reepicheep’s friendship, something, he said, that makes the ending that much more stirring and bittersweet.

Very encouraging piece of news. Looking forward to this, as I had always imagined what exactly happened to Eustace that led to the transformation. Not that we see it in the book, but I am totally cool with it.

Coriakin being at the beginning and him throwing lint at Eustace to scare him seems to indicate Eustace being pre-conversion, so to speak. This either indicates that conversion has been bumped down or Dufflepud Island has been bumped up. I'm inclined to think the latter, as Coriakin seems to be giving all of the travelers advice on what to do, as one would do at the beginning of the adventure.

It wouldn't have to be at the very beginning of the adventure though. I could be reaching here but it could be that they have two side plots. They start out searching for the missing lords. They end up in the middle of a slave market and pick up a few freed slaves to reunite (Gael). They finish up that side plot and then they find out from Coriakin that they have more to do. Maybe the lords have gotten themselves into more of a mess than a sleeping spell? That could put the Dufflepuds towards the middle of the movie. I'm still not sure where that would put Eustace's dragoning. As FriendofNarnia2 pointed out, we are having a bit of a problem with the number of Islands. The only island we haven't heard anything about is Burnt Island. Two of them must be combined. I could almost see Dragon Island and Dark Island being combined. (my brain is feeling fried)

I'm thinking that Ramandu has been cut as well. Nuts.

From an interview on Aslan's Country:

Cy: Would you know, by any chance, who’s been cast as Ramandu?
Ernie: I know, but can’t say anything beyond that.

Watz, let me know if that whole getting your anger out ahead of times works for you. I'm pretty sure that wouldn't work for me. (I still get upset about certain parts of PC and other movies and will rant about them to whoever will listen). After VDT comes out, I'm sure my fellow NarniaWebbers will have to put up with a bit of complaining from me. (My family thanks you for listening to some of my complaining so they don't have to listen to it repeatedly )

post that I wanted to find, and here's what FK had to say awhile ago:

Ernie Malik pretty much confirmed Ramandu will be in the movie in the interview he gave with AslansCountry.com

Cy: Would you know, by any chance, who’s been cast as Ramandu?

Ernie: I know, but can’t say anything beyond that.

The production chose to save two casting announcements until 5 months before the previous movies' releases. Liam Neeson as Aslan and Eddie Izzard as Reepicheep. It looks like they picked Ramandu as the special announcement for VDT so I don't expect to hear anything about him for a while.

There's obviously reasons to disagree with this, but, for now, I'm gonna hope this is the reason we haven't seen or heard anything about Ramandu yet.

I would probably agree with you, if it weren't for the fact that it later mentions that the fate of Narnia depends on them reaching Ramandu's Island... Clearly there is some sort of change in circumstances that takes them from a situation where there is no threat to Narnia, and Caspian is unsure why the Children would even be there in the first place (which as you say would be much more in line with the book), to a situation where they realise the entire fate of Narnia depends on them getting to Ramandu's Island (which is much more in line with the whole unfathomable fate thing).

True, sadly.

However, that said, i'd be much more in favour of having the Dark Island be the background threat that is putting Narnia in danger, rather than say have it be the LOTGK.

If we have to have a "unfathomable fate" the Dark Island is better, over the two.

NL101, I agree that most of this needs to wait til it's seen in real life for an opinion, but speculation is still a lot of fun.

I don't expect to see much of Dragon Eustace until the movie comes out in December. Kinda sensitive about how well this that is done, but I have a lot of confidence. The powers-that-be must know Dragon Eustace is going to be a big reveal when it happens.

Ditto.

Was anyone else surprised by the total lack of Caspian in subjectofthehighking's report? I'm surprised no one has brought this up yet, because his entire report never once mentions him. His cabin is mentioned, but he himself is never mentioned. Everything seems to focus mostly on Lucy and, to a lesser degree, Edmund and Eustace. Is this just subject's account or is Caspian really such a minor part of this film?

I honestly didn't notice. My guess is that it has to do with the viewpoint of subjectofthehighking, as well as the tailoring that this trailer(s?) seem to have had. I doubt that Caspian's role is decreased at all.

This segment on top of other parts of the trailer lead me to believe that the themes in this film could be very Christian. I'd say that VDT is by far the most explicitly Christian of the books, and I was afraid we might lose this, but if anything, it looks like Apted may have made Aslan more of an ever present deity than just the Lion who shows up every once and a while to get them out of scrapes and eventually teach them a lesson at the end.

I would really like to agree, but the fact that the event this was at was a primarily Christian one, means that the trailer may have just played up the Christian elements of the film in order to interest the specific audience. Not that that negates that many elements do appear to have made it to the film, but just dampering the appearance of them.

[quote="alenakatz, posted here by Cep,":3tcu9did]After the preview, Mr. Flaherty gave a few of his own opinions, saying that Eustace’s transformation, though not specifically described in the book, is shown in detail in the film, and came out “beautifully.” He repeated that sentiment regarding Eustace and Reepicheep’s friendship, something, he said, that makes the ending that much more stirring and bittersweet.

My gut is the transformation referred to here is the Eustace --> Dragon Eustace transformation, since that's not "specifically described" in the book. Is that what others thought, or something else?

And following that link from Cep:

Reepicheep’s new voice seemed more character appropriate in keeping with the book and film, and is still very likable, considering his pseudo-Grecian heroic quest – something King Caspian needs to ponder, based on the little dialogue included. Though Eustace didn’t show up often, when he did, he more than earned Pug’s title (and my praise): Sulky.

Some new tidbits. I like "sulky."

(I still get upset about certain parts of PC and other movies and will rant about them to whoever will listen). After VDT comes out, I'm sure my fellow NarniaWebbers will have to put up with a bit of complaining from me. (My family thanks you for listening to some of my complaining so they don't have to listen to it repeatedly )

I assure you, you are not the only one who does that.

Has anyone said anything negative about what they saw? Everything seems very happy/excited, which I want to take as very encouraging.

I would really like to agree, but the fact that the event this was at was a primarily Christian one, means that the trailer may have just played up the Christian elements of the film in order to interest the specific audience. Not that that negates that many elements do appear to have made it to the film, but just dampering the appearance of them.

You're right in that Apted could be just playing up that element to attract the Christian audience. It still doesn't negate the fact that it is there, for which I'm thankful!

I don't have too much to say about the changes and unfathomable fates and all. Yes, they will change up elements and add to the story. I would like it if they didn't add, but it's okay for me if they do. I understand that the drive to save Narnia negates the sense of longing for more, but I feel it does bring a realistic element to the movie. We did have all that war and bloodshed in PC, but I think the "battle" will be of a different kind this time.

Right now, I'm incredibly happy and excited after reading the trailer descriptions. It seems like they have retained the spirit of the book. I have accepted the fact that the movie will never fully capture every single theme of the book. It's not possible. But they have seemed to capture many great themes in the book, and for that I'm happy.

Alright, just a thought. I trailer indicates that Caspian sets out on the journey without a specific need other than finding the lost lords. But, rumor and the trailer also indicates that they end up with a 'quest' to save Narnia, possibly starting after the Lone Islands. And some people have suggested that the quest is to find the Stone Knife, which was stolen from the Lone Islands.

Here's my thought: Maybe it was one of the Lords that stole the Stone Knife (Bern could maybe say this?) Maybe the Knife is considered an ancient relic that protects the Lone Islands (after all, it has Aslan's blood on it), and without it the Lone Islanders are vulnerable (or think they are vulnerable) to attack. The Calormenes (we've seen pictures, right?) are maybe threatening the Lone Islands - Calormen wants to invade Narnia or something, but they need the Lone Islands to help (ships?) and they're using the Lone Island's vulnerability without the Knife to coerce them? And Caspian needs to return the Knife or the Lone Islands will revolt and go over to Calormen.

I don't know. Something like that. It's just that I much prefer the threat of a physical attack by Calormen than an actual attack by a witch or something. But it's just something that came to me when reading this thread.

On a different thought, I kinda hope it *is* a church in the trailer and that the movie starts out there. It would be a nice bookend to Aslan's "In that world I have another name" line.