Confirmed: Walden is Talking With Fox About Making The Magician’s Nephew
Dekkie attended NRB’s Sunday Super Session in Nashville today and has posted the following report which confirms that Walden is leaning toward making The Magician’s Nephew next.
Michael Flaherty just confirmed that Walden was talking with Fox about the Magician’s Nephew.
I just got back from attending NRB’s Sunday Super Session in Nashville, TN, where Flaherty and Simon Swart from Fox spoke about “Connecting with Audiences in an Age of Distraction.” And Narnia, of course. A few noteworthy tidbits:
When asked by Phil Cooke of Cooke Pictures and host of this session if Walden would make any more Narnia movies, Flaherty responded, without hesitation: “Yes. We are talking to Fox about making the Magician’s Nephew next.” The audience clapped. He then mentioned that there was some debate about whether SC or MN should be next, and asked the audience to clap for their favorite. A few (including myself, loudly) clapped for SC, but the majority cheered for MN.
Flaherty also referred to Gresham as “the CS Lewis Cop,” and talked about when the production team would wonder what Lewis thought of something, Gresham would say something like about how once he was having dinner with Jack and he said that if there ever was a movie made it would have to include such and such. Flaherty, laughingly, added that he wondered how many of those stories actually happened.
Phil Cooke talked about the time he was at the first screening of the VDT trailer, 20 minutes after the trailer was shown, he received a notification on his phone from Google about all these Narnia sites having detailed reports about the trailer. “These people are crazy.” I laughed – because we are.
Flaherty gave a “huge, heartfelt thank you” to the audience for their support of the film, saying that many thought the franchise was “dead” after PC. He seemed pleased and not worried that VDT made “only” $100 million domestically.
Swart also talked about how excited Fox was to be able to pick up the franchise: “We get a shot at Narnia?” and saying that they “jumped in with both feet in.”
Michael Flaherty just confirmed that Walden was talking with Fox about the Magician’s Nephew.Thanks to Dekkie for the report!
It's a hap hap hap-py day!!!
I don't think Will Poulter's age will be a problem because look at Ben Barnes, He was a thirty year old playing a seventeen year old in the first movie. So there isn't much to worry about
yeah !!
To quote Reepicheep in PC: "is that supposed to be irony?" That being said, for the fans' sake I'm hoping they continue with the franchise, regardless which book they choose to adapt next. HHB being the only interesting left is just my personal opinion of course.
Aw I was planning on doin an audition for Jill Pole!
I would say the Silver Chair would be a better choice because of Will, he's getting older, look at him now, and then look at how he looks like in VODT. I think they're making a mistake.
Though I think MN is better than SC.
At first, I wanted Silver Chair to be made next, but now that I think of it, I'm glad there are doing Magician's Nephew next: because if they do it after Silver Chair, people will probably forget about how in the 1rst movie, we learn that the professor went to Narnia before. And Will won't be too much older. Skandar was a lot older in Prince Caspian and he didn't look bad. I'm SOOOOO relieved that there will be another Narnia movie!!!!!!!!!!
Seriously, who cares if he's older than his character? It'l be better that way anyways because then it will attract even more of an older audience.
[Sighs] I'm with you (at least partly) on this. I'm not going to see MN in theaters. Maybe I'll rent it out of curiosity, but even that's unlikely. Though my reasons are different from yours.
I actually liked the book. The thing is, I can't see how they can do it any kind of justice on film, from a cinematic or adaptive perspective. One of two things is likely to happen:
1. They completely overhaul the story to make it more cinematic and accessible to a wide range of audiences who haven't read the book. The thing is, that still won't make a decent movie, because the natural weirdness of the source material is bound to shine through. The whole thing will seem schizoid and confused.
2. They treat the material with a 2-dimensional, pseudofidelity similar to the BBC version of VDT. A verbatim retelling of the book's action, but with none of it's depth or richness. This will make for an extremely dull movie, which may still manage to appeal to some fans of the book, but no one else, and certainly not me.
NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is so outrageous! For one thing they HINTED at SC next in the film! They introduced Jill Pole and they implied Eustace would be coming back! This is RIDICULOUS! Eustace is going to be too old!!!!!! Save the money, and come back to it! Do SC next! People who haven't read the books are gonna be like what is this? Where is that Eustace kid? And everyone is going to be so confused! We need to make a petition or something…
I think they want to do MN because they're desperate to get Tilda Swinton as the villain again.
I don't think they're deliberately planning on making this the last. I think they hope that, just because MN has Jadis, and a direct chronological connection to LWW, it will automatically be a hit.
I think that's part of it. 🙂
Both are fine with me, but I would prefer The Silver Chair next. But The Magician's Nephew has so much more potential and can make much more money. All the LWW fans who saw it will see a better connection to it and I have a feeling if they make MN next in the ways they have been making previous films maybe with a little better quality like the first one it will be the 2nd highest grossing Narnia movie because of the deep connections. If Fox targets Christian audiences with the Creation theme in it like they targeted Christian audiences with LWW and the sacrifice theme they will make a ton of money off of it and will be able to continue the series.
Right. In order for it to be greenlit, FOX must also give the go!
it's alright,emilee!
it isn't great problem 4u,i think*
ur perfctly ready,rn't u??
& i hope they'll dicide2 make SC & HHB,quickly!
if they do,i want2 act Aravis!!!!!!!
I just hope they won't skip HHB!!!
if they make it,i want2 act Aravis(i am asian 4sure**)
I was rather expecting Silver Chair next. In my opinion, it's one of the easiest stories to tell. Nice, straightforward quest story.
However…do you guys really think the filmmakers haven't considered the age issue with Will? Of course they have. He was well-received as Eustace and I'm assuming they want him back for Silver Chair if and when it's made. I don't think there's any chance at all of them trying to cast someone else in a few years. I would have liked the kids younger in Prince Caspian, but we got it when we got it and they used the same actors.
By the way…has anyone checked? For all we know, Will might have other film obligations just now, though I'd rather expect the producers would have known that before casting him.
As for Horse and His Boy, I had a conversation with one of the filmmakers the day the first LWW trailer was screened (might've been Mark Johnson, but don't hold me to that. I didn't really know who anybody was at the time.) We talked a tiny bit about HHB and he said way back then that he'd been looking at it and thought there might be a way it could be done. In any case, I was definately under the impression that he wanted to make it eventually. So don't write any of the films off yet (We all know it's essentially a matter of money.). I think Magician's Nephew is a great story, though I think there's more that could go astray in the making than in SC. Still, I'm encouraged that they're pressing on.
I am all good with this bit of news. 🙂
Meh, I've kind of decided the books are the books and they can't get any better as movies, no matter how good they make them. Imagination is the only way to view Narnia. That being said, I think MN is a wise choice, so long as they realize they can't use Will P for SC anymore. He's too old already, so it might be for the best if they settle on a new Eustace.
Which is awful, because he was amazing. But MN might bring some new vigor and freshness to the saga. At this point, I've abandoned my thirst for the movies and have sworn loyalty to the books alone.
Personally, I think they just want Jadis back. They know there would be a major boycott if they put her in SC, so now they're using her in MN because they think she's their last card or something. 🙂
Not to seem rude, but the producers never listen to us anyway. Why should they start now? ;D
Of course, this is my first impression as well.
–But have we ever really tried ? Or just made comments among ourselves, often after a script has been approved.
It could be interesting to come up with maybe just 4 points, that all Narnia webbers agree upon, just can't be left out. Anyone want to try ?
This is ridiculous! The majority of us voted for SC, especially after the set up placed at the end of VDT. I personally don't know why there's such a controversy as to what film should be next!
Why don't they just film both MN and SC at the same time and release SC first. Then Will won't get too old, especially since SC takes place only a few months after VDT,and it would solve this conflict.
Makes no logical sense to make MN before SC…
But another Narnia movie IS another Narnia movie!!!
I just wish HHB were made someday.
I hope HHB will be made as well it is my favorite book i will be real mad if they screw it all up though.
they can still use will for Eustace. Don't you have any clue how old Skandar is?
I am litterally cursing out @ my ceiling @ the moment right now! How can these guys be so stupid!!!? They need to do SILVER CHAIR to continue Caspian's story and Will Poulter for crying out loud would be too old to play Eustace anymore! I so badly want to see Silver Chair and if this Magician's Nephew kills off the franchise then….(pulls my pillow and screams into it) GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Is there ANY way to convince them to make SC next??
I know! Silver Chair got so many votes to make. i think these guys are lying. Typical Hollywood!
People are also tired of the White Witch! Silver Chair introduces a new witch! Do Silver Chair next PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NOOOOO!! If they do it there is no way anyone (well besides the Narnia fans) is gonna watch it without the Pevensies or Eustace who they have come to know and love! Will is already 18! Don't do MN!!
Let's all right a letter to Walden, Michael Flaherty, and FOX! Anyone with me??
I meant WRITE sorry, I can't think straight x)
Are you saying a modern audience can't comprehend a storytelling sequence that children could handle 60 years ago? I think we can.
LOL! That's what I thought! It's outrageous!
let all hope they will do the rest of the series if they do it will probably take about 2 yrs 2 make them etc
Wow, I have very mixed emotions about this. . . haha, and yet I am really curious what all of those 'Jill Pole Wannabe's' out there are thinking right now (please don't take that in the wrong way).
Over the past few moments, I think I have come to the conclusion that I don't love this idea, but it isn't making me throw a fit either. *SIGH* However, I *was* really hoping that if they would continue, it would be with SC. . .
who votes for jim carrie for uncle andrew
It's quite clear why they won't film two films at once. Money. The filmmakers WANT to get these films made, but you need the profits from the previous film to fund the next one. Lord of the Rings was unusual, unique, and I still don't know how Jackson managed to convince the studio, but good on them for going with it. Harry Potter 6 isn't a case like Narnia either. The filmmakers would probably love to go out and shoot SC immediately followed by LB with one team while another does MN followed by HHB, but the money's not there. We can critique the order they choose to film in, but simultaneous shooting isn't a viable option here.
SC is my least favorite in the series, but for heaven's sake! This makes no sense!
Barnes was twenty-one. Not thirty. But a twenty-year-old playing a thirteen-year-old doesn't work, believe me. This is supposed to be months (not even a year) after the events of VDT!
You Narnia fanatics who think The Magicians Nephew is actually going to make more money than SC would are forgetting that VDT was criticized for cutting Peter and Susan out. Now we've lost Ed and Lucy, and have only Eustace. But they're going with a brand new batch of main characters. Movie-goers don't like that, believe me. MN was published in the perfect spot: HHB was a different story but it had the Pevensies in it. Then, after we've let go of the main characters a bit, MN, which was a prequel. Right after came The Last Battle, with many references to MN.
I can't believe I'm saying this, but I almost wish they had quit instead of this. They've gone too far. Skip SC now, and it will be SO hard to do faithfully later. You know that if Will Poulter's twenty when (if) they film SC, there'll be a Eustace/Jill romance. They may not even do SC at all; and if that's the case, I'm done being a movie-follower. I'll go hang out in the book forums and read the books Lewis wrote. There! I've officially become a wet blanket. Live with it, please.
I'm excited about this – I'm excited that they're making another Narnia movie at all. 😀
But at the same time, I really really wanted to see Will Poulter in SC. 🙁 I don't want Eustace recast.. if they're even going to make SC at all.
I wonder where they're thinking of going if MN does well?
So I guess puddleGlum was right in his article – apparently they decided it will be easier to market "the prequel of (highly succesful) LWW" than "the sequel of (the not so successful) VDT". And I wouldn't worry too much about Will Poulter getting too old for SC – proper acting and good make-up can do wonders to a character's age. 😉
If I were them, I would do SC and HHB next. By the time they'd get to HHB, Susan and Edmund would look adult enough like they should. I'm not sure about LB, though – it doesn't feel like something for the masses of average moviegoers (and while we all love Narnia to bits here, we mustn't forget that the films are not made just for fans, but for the general audience).
i looovvvvvvvvvvveee the magician's nephew!!!! i wonder who will be uncle andrew 😀
Does this news means that "The Magician's Nephew" will be the next Narnia Movie instead of "The Silver Chair"? Well, they should have their final decisions earlire so that they can be ready to make the next Narnia movie earlier (the earlier the movie will be made, the earlier the movie will hit the theaters). We all know that J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit" will be in cinemas by next year. C.S. Lewis' "The Chronicles of Narnia" is an epic masterpiece. The production team of Narnia must have a better director and they must make the films better and they must show in the movie the essence of christianity and the darkness that destroys our belief in christan religion. For the very first movie that talks about the CREATION "The Magician's Nephew" (If it will be the next Narnia film) can be a better movie than the Narnia films that preceeded it. Well, we are longing to see Narnia in the cinemas again. Further In!
Actually, 60 years ago, the book SC came right after VDT.
Actually, he was 25, but you are right in the sense that turning a 20 something into a late teen is a LOT easier than turning a late teen into a tween. I would say that the latter is completely impossible. That being said, if they aren't willing to change the character (his dialog and behaviors) so that he's more teenaged, then Will P is already too old for the part. In his current film, Will P is playing a 15-year-old, and I really think that's as low as he can go.
You're forgetting that narniawebbers are a very small percentage of the movie-going public.
Tilda Swinton simply MUST play Jadis in "The Magician's Nephew."
Further more, it's a smart decision. She is the series' strongest villain.
I loved Sergio (Miraz), but the sad fact is, he was just a man. In a fantasy series like this, I think people gravitate to mystical villains. Many people said Tilda's cameos in "Prince Caspian" and "Dawn Treader" were "frustratingly brief." The audience wants Tilda Swinton back full time. I fully support that. Tilda's final scene in "Dawn Treader" was my favorite part.
"I can make you my king. Just take my hand…..Just give in….."
Awesome. I want to see Tilda in the flesh again! 😀
he was 28 yrs old in the 3rd fox version not 21. he was born in 1981.
I've wondered about Uncle Andrew too.
It would have to be someone who could be sinister and yet kind of bumbling and silly.
Someone who is mildly scary, but pales in comparison to Tilda Swinton.
One of my friends suggested David Tennant, who might be interesting (Doctor Who; Barty Crouch, Jr.), though they'd need to age him up.
It's pretty obvious what order they should do it in really. First they should do silver chair, before Eustace gets too old, and then the last battle before the other children get too old, and then it doesn't really matter, as it doesn't matter much about age differences with HHB and MN
Yeah we are crazy!! 🙂 I don't really mind too much aout MN being next, so long as they do SC after MN if they do the full series, because of Will's age. I'm so glad that Fox are happy to pick the CON films up from Disney. 🙂 Here's to hoping for the full 7 films. 😀
Ridiculous.
I'm guessing after they make The Magician's Nephew (And get it RIGHT!) there will be no Narnia movies after words 🙁 I'm so wanting to see The Last Battle! (Doing to justice too).
It makes no sense to do The Magician’s Nephew next