I would expect an announcement or update sometime in the middle or end of June when they get a sense of how all of the home releases of VDT have sold. This includes the 3D Blu-ray that was just announced for release tomorrow.

But really, I lay all of the responsibility down on the filmmakers for the reason why this series is losing steam. For books that have fantastic storytelling, they have great material to work with. But from the beginning, they have chosen to weaken key elements of the books, usually those that are spiritual, or completely change the plot focus (VDT). The Narnia books have been popular for over 50 years and are called classics for a reason!

Screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely haven't been doing this series any favors for quite some time. The scripts have always been the weakest parts of these films and who knows if it's entirely their fault or if the distributors have forced things on them. Whatever it is, they need new writers who actually know and care about the stories who will be allowed to make thoughtful changes that will help attract non-fans to these classic stories but also won't tick off the fan base and faith communities who really want to support the franchise.

I don't think it's the end. The dvd sales starts tomorrow here in Denmark, and I'll get my copy first thing in the morning.
Since we haven't heard anything, they're probably still discussing the next film, budget, script etc.

Well, the best way to get MN greenlit is continue supporting the Narnia films. VDT is good; not perfect, but good. Better than many other films out there. That's why I support VDT, despite its shortcomings.
I hope for good news soon.

Everybody loves Twilight...That's what's in for today's youth.

^Care to explain to me how is it not a prequel or sequel? I haven't read any of the books.

Cipher, hope you seriously get to read the books. Things make more sense once you do.

or...

3) They saw the previews and read the reviews and thought it was too magical and childish

No. I wasn't theorizing. I was talking about people that I know personally and the reasons they gave for not wanting to see VDT.

The Narnia books have been popular for over 50 years and are called classics for a reason!

That's simply not true. LWW is the only book in the series with "classic" status. The rest of the Narnia books have barely had a fraction of LWW's book sales. I know I've said this before, but I wish the film makers would stop pandering to this group or that group (Narniacs, Christians, fanboys, etc.). They should read the books, and then think through how they turn those stories into really good quality movies. Get some artistic integrity in there. The books deserve that much.

No. I wasn't theorizing. I was talking about people that I know personally and the reasons they gave for not wanting to see VDT.

Well unfortunately that wasn't much theory either... I know of a few people who thought it looked too kiddish based on the commercials...

You know I find it ironic that LWW is the classic, but LB is the one that got that award... I wanna say it was the Carnegie Medal...

^Awards often don't mean much to the average reader though.

I don't know if Narnia is dead or not. It could go either way at this point. I just hope that it ends well. I would hate for it to end with VDT when (imo) it was done so poorly.

That's always seemed odd to me, too, Wolfy. I wonder why LWW never won an award, when it's clearly a classic.

I thought the previews to VDT looked childish as well. I thought the movie itself was even more childish. I don't know if the series will end, but IMO, it should have ended before VDT came out. I fear MN will just be a second disaster if it ever hits theaters.

~Riella

Wouldn't it be hilarious if, after all this time, they announced they were making The Horse and His Boy or The Last Battle?

You know I find it ironic that LWW is the classic, but LB is the one that got that award... I wanna say it was the Carnegie Medal...

Well, the award is got was for being the best childrens book of 1956. Maybe the other six books had stronger competition.

But I think the more likely explanation is that they knew this was the last book, so they figured they'd better give Lewis something. Same reason Return of the King won all the Oscars even though the work done on the other two films was just as good.

Regardless, the true test of a classic is the test of time. And these days, the Best Picture winners (for example) are seldom remembered.

Hmmm... Excellent point gP... It probably does have something to do with it being the last one.

I wouldn't put it beyond them to greenlight HHB either... LB may be a stretch, unless they plan to release it 12/21/12 But I think the other three are much more logical choices...

In this article http://www.aslanscountry.com/2011/05/mi ... -narnia-4/ Michael Flaherty says that MN is STILL in negotiation. Of course, at this point they are only going to tell us so much about what's really happening with the francise. If we still haven't heard anything by the end of the summer, I'll start having doubts.
I agree that unless MN does exceptionally well we, sadly, may not see another Narnia film. Nevertheless always like to think that there's hope for the Narnia films and that an amazing filmaker will come along and revive the francise.

I read that article as well and it still gives me some slim slim hope about Silver Chair being made next.

If Warner Bros. can move along with a sequel to Yogi Bear as they just announced, it would be insulting and downright depressing if Fox let Narnia fall by the wayside.

When Fox picked up VDT, a spokesperson told us how fortunate the company felt for a second chance to adapt Lewis' classic stories after Disney originally beat them to it. They should convince the fans and the public they actually have confidence in their newly acquired franchise. I know Walden had a lot to do with the lack of quality in VDT, but going off of what I saw from the film itself and its sparse marketing, there was very little commitment to honor the original Dawn Treader story and far too little confidence from both companies.

Be strong! Think of the lost franchise you're here to save! Think of Aslan! Think of Narnia! Think of Yogi Bear!

Remember Fox destroyed Alien and Predator franchise with their newer "quality" sequels.

If they had actually made VDT movie good, they probably would have more incentive to make another Narnia movie.