I don't think it is ridiculous to film two Narnia films at the one time, especially as it gives each film the chance to make most effective use of whatever they do have in common, such as locations, sets or terrain. Probably it makes as good sense as splitting up 'The Hobbit' into two parts, or dragging out the Narnia films too much. And it makes better sense than releasing a Narnia film at Christmas along with a completely unrelated but also too frequently filmed classic like Gulliver's Travels.

At least neither MN nor SC have been filmed cinematically beforehand. And as someone said on the IMDb Silver Chair site discussion board, Walden did not get the rights to the Narnia Chronicles just to shelve them, without making them into movies. If nobody wants to take the risks that they might lose on a movie, they can't complain about not profiting from them either. I expect whether or not it is the end of the series really depends on the next few weeks. I can keep hoping at any rate.

I agree with wagga and Trufflehunter, I have a feeling that that's what we are gonna see happen, simply because as I have said already I can see no other choice. (And yes I do have some other things, not quite evidence, not quite nothing, that point in that direction as well.) I say Bring on SC and MN!!! (and HHB and LB too )

More and more of you are going over into that camp (the Two-movies-at-once-camp), but I just can't see anyone even attempting it.

I really don't think the films as a whole have been successful enough for any film studio to consider shelling out lots of $$$ to make two films that will only make mediocre box office numbers. Particularly, two films at once.

I'd love it, but I don't think they'll do it. I think it's more likely we'd see:

1. LWW
2. PC
3. VoDT
4. MN
5. HHB
6. SC
7. LB

I agree that they are unlikely to film 2 at once given the series' track record at the box office. I still think that you're series outline is too ambitious and unrealistic. Now this is not the Anhun-approved film list, but I think this is how it will end up:

1.LWW
2.PC
3.VDT
4.MN

Anhun, if you're implying that the film series will end after The Magician's Nephew, I'd very much have to disagree. Instead, I think, that film would open up a more broad spectrum of viewers. More people would be open to seeing another Narnia film after seeing the creation of the world, and the beginnings of the lamppost, wardrobe, White Witch, etc. I think that whatever the next film will be, it could be the turning point for the remainder of the series. After all, I've heard a lot of people who say that they are tired of the Pevensies.

That being said, for those of you who think that both The Magician's Nephew, and The Silver Chair will be greenlit at the same time, how exactly does that work? How far apart would the films be released from one another? Would this be anything like how the final Harry Potter book is being split into two movies, with the second part being released 8 months after the first?!

If that were to be the case, which order would the release the films? I think if The Magician's Nephew was released eight months before The Silver Chair, both movies, including The Silver Chair would do great. But, this again poses the continuity problem. I'm sure many audiences would be confused by this order of the films. I think if The Silver Chair is released before The Magician's Nephew it will be just as horrific at the box office.

Is there any chance of both films being released one month apart from one another? I have never heard of such a thing, but I think this could either hurt or benefit the series. Hurt, because some people couldn't afford to see both movies in such a short period of time, much less view them multiple times. But if someone had not seen The Silver Chair, buth then saw The Magician's Nephew, they might be more likely to go back and see The Silver Chair. I have no idea, just a thought. Any other opinions or inputs on this idea would be greatly appreciated.

I dont know. but i think it would be best to make SC before MN because everyone wants to see will poulter and nobody i think, would go and see it if he isn't in it, and i think they should also make the movies sorta chronologically.

I agree that they are unlikely to film 2 at once given the series' track record at the box office.

I don't think VDT's Box Office at this stage is a consideration why the series just might do 2 at once. It has made up 65% of its production cost on domestic box office alone, and is about to pass PC's foreign box office.

Before VDT was released Michael Apted was making strange comments and maybe that thread could still be found here. He said something about a lot happening between VDT and SC. Ben Barnes in an interview said he overheard a conversation where the producers were discussing a flashback in which Ben most certainly would star, plus in that bit at the end of SC. There is the matter of Will Poulter as Eustace as well. We have also learned from Douglas Gresham that someone else, not Tilda Swinton, would have to be cast as LOTGK, which suggests the series would not make the same mistake as did BBC in its film production of SC. It also suggests there are some ideas for a script floating around.

Then there is MN, where Tilda Swinton most definitely would have a part as Jadis. Tilda Swinton seems to be considered a strong member of the production team, and we don't know what is in her contract in regards to the Narnia series. So far, the producers have gone to some lengths to keep her involved with the series, at risk of alienating fans who think they have seen a mite too much of the WW. But MN is arguably the part that she has been looking forward to doing all along. The point of doing both these movies is to avoid having to recast any recurring characters if possible. It is bad enough that all the Pevensies have to be dropped at this stage, and yes, they have to be allowed to get on with their lives.

It seems some of the production crew want to do MN, whilst others wanted to SC. And the production can't make a clear decision. We have been told, because of the unfortunate demise of one of the producers that 'funding for MN is secured'. That is all. Not a dickybird since, whether making MN instead of SC is official policy, whether Perry Moore's death has meant that whoever he secured the funding with is at liberty to renege, whether there is going to be any movie at all, or whether they have or have not abandoned SC. All we have is a sort of movie hint that SC is the next step after VDT.

There is also a possibly reduced budget to consider. I don't think that either MN or SC are going to be the most expensive movies to make, anyway. No ship sets or long use of water tanks in either, you see. It might also make more sense to do two reduced budgets together, to ensure the best and most economical use of facilities, locations sets and even CGI where possible. That would hurry on the production of the films, and improve consistency between related movies.

That is my reasoning for thinking that 2 movies might be considered at this time, even if it is thinking outside the square. Two movies within a year of each other might also positively reinforce the movies' box office appeal. One to go and one in the bag might be better than one to go and perhaps the rest not being made at all.

That being said, for those of you who think that both The Magician's Nephew, and The Silver Chair will be greenlit at the same time, how exactly does that work? How far apart would the films be released from one another? Would this be anything like how the final Harry Potter book is being split into two movies, with the second part being released 8 months after the first?!

Now I do think that the HP idea might just work, since it is obvious that people will want to see HP2 in conjunction with and as a follow-up to HP1.

It all depends on how the two movies are marketed, I'd say, though I've got qualms about that as well. A good, faithful SC production could do wonders at the Box Office, especially as it is a straightforward quest movie about what or who can be trusted and what or who cannot. Apart from a flashback to explain the quest, up to the point of Rilian's disappearance, there is no need for any alterations at all once Jill and Eustace find themselves in Aslan's Country. CGI at the Owls' Parliament can be kept to the minimum post Rilian disappearance explanations that are necessary if the flashback is done well enough. If they have a good ending to SC after Jill and Eustace return to Experiment House, they could tie in MN as the logical next step. And even at the end of VDT it was clear to me, at any rate, there are some options available how to go about fixing that link.

Doing MN first because it is perceived it has the greater attraction might just work, but then it might disrupt the series too much if there is a long delay before SC comes out. Furthermore, how would you link MN with a previous VDT and a succeeding SC link, possibly one that would never be made?

Doing the two movies together and releasing the first one to be truly ready would be the most suitable idea, I think.

Y'know, I've been doing some thinking and I've decided I'm not as against the re-casting of Eustace as I used to be. Originally I thought it would be horrible if they didn't let Will Poulter return as Eustace, but I may have changed my mind.

Here's why:

1. Will Poulter is growing up. Even if The Silver Chair was filmed next, he's still old enough to make The Silver Chair awkward. What I mean by that is mostly Jillstace and Experiment House. If Eustace is a teenager, the film-makers will almost certainly justify Jillstace as a natural occurence. I also think it's best for Experiment House to be an elemenatary school- jr. high at the most. It's harder to imagine the type of bullying going on in Experiment House happening in a high school. They'd have to re-imagine it and a re-imagining of Experiment House scares me. Also I think most will agree that, if possible, having kids as the leads is better than teenagers.

2. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader needed Will Poulter. Eustace in VDT required an incredibly skilled actor- which we got with Will Poulter- but in The Silver Chair, I don't think quite as much talent is needed. Certainly Eustace is still an interesting character in SC, but I don't think the role is as hard as the VDT one was.

Don't get me wrong, I thought Will Poulter was fantastic as Eustace and I wish he could be in The Silver Chair. Alas, he has grown dramatically and I no longer think it would be the end of the world if Eustace was re-cast.

Reepicheep775, I have to say I disagree with number one. Will Moseley, Ben Barnes, and Anna Popplewell were all in their 20's when PC was made. And Skandar and Georgie both had huge growth spurts while filming LWW. Not to mention Skandars voice broke in the middle of production. Even if Will P is tall for his age it should not be a problem. By mere ethics it should not be a problem (are tall people not allowed to act?!) I have yet to see anything that says Eustace was short, or even average height. So I think they had better keep Will Poulter. And remember if they recast him, they will lose huge chunks of the fanbase and the general movie goers. And that would mean a box office flop and the premature end to Narnia.

I agree that they are unlikely to film 2 at once given the series' track record at the box office.

I don't think VDT's Box Office at this stage is a consideration why the series just might do 2 at once. It has made up 65% of its production cost on domestic box office alone, and is about to pass PC's foreign box office.

I didn't say VDT's box office, I was talking about the series' box office. So far, the Narnia films' domestic earnings have gone down dramatically with each successive film. Now foreign box office seems to have stabilized. At the very least, they know it's possible, with the right approach, to get foreign audiences to show up for a Narnia film. But, with the massive budgets associated with these films, a large foreign gross will not make up for a pitiful domestic showing that is likely if the trend continues. Also, you're calculations are off in terms of how much of the production cost they made back domestically. The studios only get a percentage of the gross. VDT made back less than half of it's production cost domestically. Although foreign income made back the rest, they're still deep in the hole for marketing costs.

Basically, the producers need to realize that none of the remaining Narnia books have enough of a built-in fan base to justify a big budget. From here on out, they need to make these film so that they can stand on their own as well-made, entertaining, and accessible movies. I agree with you that they are more likely to do this with SC. They also need to use clear, intelligent marketing that makes people say "Oh! Those look like fun characters in an interesting story!" not "Oh! That reminds me of LWW!"

I'm not too worried about MN not setting up for SC. Assuming, for the sake of argument, that they keep Will P, they can have Eustace visiting the Pevensies in Finchley over summer holidays, 3 years after their trip on the Dawn Treader. Lucy takes Eustace to see the Professor in his flat in London (I've decided he has a flat in London). The kids beg him to tell them about his own adventures in Narnia, so he proceeds to narrate the story of MN. I think MN would benefit a lot from having a narrator. Then, SC can take place a few months after the visit. My biggest concern is that MN won't get enough box office to justify a 5th film.

Reepicheep775, Even if Will P is tall for his age it should not be a problem. By mere ethics it should not be a problem (are tall people not allowed to act?!) I have yet to see anything that says Eustace was short, or even average height. So I think they had better keep Will Poulter. And remember if they recast him, they will lose huge chunks of the fanbase and the general movie goers. And that would mean a box office flop and the premature end to Narnia.

Exactly my thoughts! and besides, Will Poulter has got a lot taller but he is not really that tall for his age because he was fairly short before (No offence obviously ) It would be nice to see Eustace as an older person as in SC I see him as more of a leader becasue he has been to Narnia before and can do that thing that everyone does when you've been somewhere that no one else has, and kind of show off a bit
And besides that, I agree that his appearence and Jill appearence are never really in great detail, leaving a lot of room for any casting that they decide to do. We don't have to follow illustrations becasue according to the books Eustace's hair is black...

But back on topic, I am all in favour of MN being made, i just think SC should be next!!!

Reepicheep775, I have to say I disagree with number one. Will Moseley, Ben Barnes, and Anna Popplewell were all in their 20's when PC was made. And Skandar and Georgie both had huge growth spurts while filming LWW. Not to mention Skandars voice broke in the middle of production. Even if Will P is tall for his age it should not be a problem. By mere ethics it should not be a problem (are tall people not allowed to act?!) I have yet to see anything that says Eustace was short, or even average height. So I think they had better keep Will Poulter. And remember if they recast him, they will lose huge chunks of the fanbase and the general movie goers. And that would mean a box office flop and the premature end to Narnia.

I just think The Silver Chair specifically might need young leads for Experiment House and in avoidance of Jillstace. If they can find a way for it to work, I'd be all for having Will Poulter back because he's so great as Eustace.

I think the biggest problem now is that they will have to somehow alter Sc's plot when they return to it (pretending it's official that MN will be made next.)

At first I was thinking that it would be great is Jill was somehow introduced in MN and went with Eustace to see the Professor, who then told them all about Narnia's creation. But then I realized that I wouldn't want to have to watch MN between VDT and SC. That would be kind of ridiculous. I think that MN could benefit from having a narrator, but I don't want that to disrupt the continuity and flow of the film series as a whole.

I honestly am considering the possibility that SC will never be made. They could very likely just skip over it--make MN, then HHB, and end with LB. I think it a probable possibility, although I really hope it won't happen.
I'm a little disappointed that it looks like MN is going to be made before SC, but I like MN as a book too, so it's okay. At least they're making Narnia movies...for a time me and my brother thought they'd stop production completely!! That's something to be thanful for.

Narnian_Archer, Last Battle has Jill Pole as a main character... Do you think that they would just errase her character all toghether? Wouldn't that be the worst mistake ever though because Jill has loads of fans. and ith would just be Eustace going in to begin with. I can see Will Poulter carrying that on his own but Iit would just feel and look a bit wierd don't you think? I don't think thay'd be able to just write her in to LB either, because then she has no connection to Narnia so it woul;d be random if she were there.