What Fox Saw in Narnia
The September issue (#255) of Empire Magazine includes a Q&A session with Tom Rothman and Jim Gianopulos who are both the Co-Chairmen and Co-CEOs of 20th Century Fox. They answered questions submitted by readers, and one of them was about Narnia:
Q: “You now distribute the Narnia franchise, which was with Disney. What do you see in it that the Mouse House didn’t?” – Annette Symons, Reading.
JG: “We saw the strength of an iconic and everlasting property that has endured for all these years and for tens of millions of readers, and that has wonderful fantasy, spiritual and adventure elements. It’s also one of the few rich pre-awareness properties that exist out there.”
Thanks to ‘Daredevil’ for sending this in!
Glad they did pick it up. Otherwise no discussions on VDT good or bad. (Unless someone else would have picked it up by now). Glad to hear a mention of the spiritual elements. đŸ™‚
I always wondered why Fox picked it up after Disney bailed on Narnia. If DISNEY of all companies thinks its too expensive… Now I know why Fox was willing to take a gamble.
Dear Fox,
I cannot thank you enough for picking up this franchise! I have read the books since the summer before second grade, and all of my friends LOVE these stories. I love the rich characters, adventures, and storytelling, and I think it translates wonderfully onto screen. Thank you SO much for picking up this franchise and going ahead with a third narnia. If this movie is as good as the first too (which it probably will be — Walden Media is a fantastic film making company) then I know many people will love it.
Thank you for spending money to produce these things, hope it doesn't dissapoint. Many fans would love to see a fourth one too (hopefully all seven get made!)
Thanks again,
Luke Gonzalez (age 17)
PS — I loved your new movie Ramona and Beezus. Though it hasn't had a great box office, thanks for making great, fun to watch family films!
Thanks fox! All my respect for Disney has shifted to FOX.
Whether VDT turns out to be a good movie or not, thank you FOX for taking it on. You made all us Narnia fans very happy. đŸ˜€
what a warm and deep explanation đŸ˜€ when i read it was quite touched for myself and the books. thank you very much, Fox! we're counting on you!
I hope Fox's faith in the franchise pays off for them financially. What a reward it would be.
As for Disney…some months ago, Disney was all over the news because they had decided to pass on some projects. "The Proposal" cost Disney $40 million to make and grossed $300 million, and Disney passed on a sequel. (I'm not sure how to make a sequel to that movie, but if I'd spent $40 mil and made back 7x as much, I'd FIND a way.) The article mentioned that Disney might look at stuff self-produced, and at shows-with-movies (like Hannah Montana, I guess) with marketing gimmicks (action figures, CDs, etc).
It made me think of "Narnia" – it would explain the crazy marketing with video games and action figures and Disney World events with the actors for the first two films. It also made me wonder if Disney is trying something weird with the projects it's choosing, and that's *part* of the reason why they dropped "Narnia".
Anyhow, my hat's off to Fox for picking up the franchise. And while I love looking at the action figures and other figurines and the video games, imho, I'd rather Fox stick with the movies first and cancel the other stuff. I'd rather have a full set of films than a video game and only two of the movies.
Thank you SO MUCH to 20th Century Fox for picking up The Voyage of the Dawn Treader! Watching the trailers for the new film, I felt that this film looks so much like what I pictured when I read the book. I believe Fox is really going to bring Narnia to life – if they can bring Pandora to life the way they did last December, they can bring a world as fantastic and dearly loved as Narnia to life as well. I think it's going to be absolutely fantastical! I really believe that The Silver Chair will come to life in the wake of Dawn Treader's success.
Thank you again, 20th Century Fox!
I am very glad and thankful that Fox picked up Narnia many many people have been waiting to See this movie(inculding me!). This is my Favorite book of the series,and it has a great message to it too. I hope that Fox will be able to pull it off! I Can't wait for the movie!!! I haven't gottin this excited for a movie in a LONG time! Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am truly truly grateful, and terribly happy! đŸ™‚
Thanks to Fox for keeping the series afloat. Disney probably would have continued with the series if it didn't have to split the monies with Walden Media. After all Prince Caspian made over 400 million at the box office worldwide. I'm sure it made good money on the DVD sales.
Thanks Fox, for keeping the third epic and fantastical story of these Chronicles alive!
aaaaah y eso que tiene que ver con narnia eh ?? a bueno
I believe that this is quite a statement from Fox on the subject of Narnia.I believe that the good Lord had a hand in the decision making process…all be it " the influence of the extremely higher power "…but they will be blessed because the Lord has elected this avenue to get His word out and it will be real in a world of not being real. I know some of you may think that movies are only what Hollywood puts out and what they want us to see…that is somewhat true…but the word when spoken no matter how or what media it uses…it will have an effect on the spiritual man inside us…125 days left…
Thank you, Fox! Even if the film is not very good, I trust you are doing what you think is best for the VotDT film and the Narnia franchise. Thank you for giving the Narnia fans hope!
Fox rocks! 'nough said.
Wow, what an incredibly generic statement. They could be talking about Oz, Middle-Earth, Hogwarts, or even Earthsea.
Narnia films are much better than The lord of the rings trilogy. LOTR is not OUR things, to be honest with you!
Thank you for picking up The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Aslan often gives characters second chances in the books and you gave a second chance to the movies!
You also made us very happy, I've enjoyed anticipating this movie even though I do not yet know how it will turn out.
thank you for having such faith fox!!!!
That's fine if you don't like the LotR movies, but you're going to be hard pressed to argue the point that the Narnia movies are better quality. And what do the LotR movies have to do with this story anyway?
Thank you Fox! I certainly hope that because you see these great things in Narnia, you continue to create these great movies. Sail on, VDT!! And here's hoping for The Silver Chair and all the rest.
Amen! I hope Fox gets bundles of money for this movie.