I do not think there should be an action scene of that magnitude to open VDT. I don't think there needs to be any action scene at the opening, in fact. This is a voyage of discovery, not of action adventure. A somewhat sedate opening would help to set VDT apart from LWW and PC, during both of which the main characters were almost constantly in mortal danger. We don't want that for VDT! Some dangers (as in the book) are expected and acceptable, but not almost constant mortal danger, thank you.

I don't think there needs to be a massive action scene for the beginning of VDT- but if they want to have a scene in Narnia to start the movie, I would say that it would be best to have some sort of a shot of the Lords leaving Narnia.

Unlike LWW and PC, I think that VDT will start without any action, maybe Edmund and Lucy in England in a train going to Eustace’s house. I think it would be interesting if Edmund and Lucy arrived at Eustace’s house and then they went to Lucy's room like the book, then they leave and they show the picture in the bedroom with the title above it, and I also think it would be interesting if they showed a scene like Ed and Lu having dinner with Eustace and his parents, that way you could see the difference between Eustace's family and the Pevensies and get a sense of Eustace’s character. Just a thought though.

Wow Sweeetlilgurlie and 7chronicles! You both have really good ideas for opening scenes! I could really see a quick scene of the scene with the Seven Lords before/during the credits! And the idea of a scene where Ed and Lu have dinner with their relatives is really interesting and smart, though I'm not sure if the production would feel they have time for that... "We've got to get into the story" and all, you know !

I like 7chronicles' idea of having a dinner with the Scrubbs and Pevensies. I don't see how they could open up 'Dawn Treader' with an action scene without it feeling forced.

I dont see the opening with an action scene...it just does not fit at all. I also like the idea of the dinner with the Pevensies and the Scrubbs. That would be nice!

I agree with Adoena, an action sequence would not really be setting the right tone for the film, I don't think (unless they're going down the 'opening-scenes-you-wouldn't-expect route).

To me the opening scenes of the past two films are really about journey's rather than action, per say (I think I read/heard someone involved in the creation of the films saying something to that effect somewhere). So I really think the ideas sweetlilgurlie and 7chronicles have come up with fit in with that idea. The journey of the Seven Lords, the Pevensies' journey to the Scrubbs'.

I don't know whether they mightn't just whack the kids travelling into Narnia in the title scene. There doesn't seem to be much in the book before that - although, that is also true for the previous ones!

Exciting!!

I think the title scene should involve the pevensie's parents and susan departing for america and then Lucy and Ed going to scrubbs house. Lucy reluctantly pushes open her bedroom door and then a slow smile spreads across her face as she sights the picture.
I'm interested to see how this will actually play out....

I don't want an action scene, but I'm not sure exactly how I'd want them to start. Just not action-y, but still very interesting and captivating. One that makes you want to sit and watch the whole movie in theatres instead of getting up for snacks and bathroom breaks

I am hoping that they will either open with the Pevensies all going their seprate ways or open with Caspian setting sail!

Libby: those ideas are good...I would like for Will to make his little appearance there

I really don't want the movie to open with Caspian. If we see the Dawn Treader right from the start, it ruins the surprise of the painting coming to life.

In Voyage of the Dawn Treader, I personally don't think it is necessary for them to open with a big BANG .

I would rather them just open in England, get on the train for Alberta's, etc, then get swept into Narnia .

If they open with Caspian fighting pirates or something, that would be terrible ! Like Bookwyrm said, it would take away from the surprise of the painting taking them into Narnia.

I really, really, really don't think VDT should start off with an action scene. The opening scene sets both the tone and the over-all pace of the rest of the movie, and if VDT opens with action the action will not only have to continue, but it will have to build. So, I say no action until they get to Narnia.
An opening scene that I would like to see is at the train station. Lucy and Edmund get off the train and Edmund is complaining about being left behind while their parents and Susan are in America and Peter is studying with the professor. Harold, Alberta, and Eustace meet them and during the course of the conversation either Harold or Alberta says something condescending about soldiers and war. And Eustace fully backs them up, which would start off the Edmund/Eustace tension well and immediately show the audience what sort of person Eustace is. Lucy could even have a book with her(probably a fairy tale, maybe an E.Nesbit), and Eustace could make a remark about the sort of books he reads(ones with grain elevators and machinery and foreign children in modern schools).