‘Silver Chair’ Still a Possibility?
Inside Out has posted a a 32-minute podcast interview with Micheal Flahery (Walden Media president). The first five minutes are the most interesting for Narnia fans. Flaherty talks about why he thinks VDT’s box office started slow, the darkness in Prince Caspian, and finally gives an update on the status of the next film.
Last we heard, it sounded pretty certain that if they made another Narnia film, it would be The Magician’s Nephew. But here, Flaherty seems to indicate nothing has been finalized:
“We’re still in our conversations right now with 20th Century Fox, and the C.S. Lewis Estate who own the rights to all the books. We’re all trying to come to an agreement about which film to do next and how to film it. So, we’re waiting to see where that goes.”
Flaherty talked about book sales in his last update. Here, he gives another reason they are considering The Magician’s Nephew:
“But there are some elements in [the books] that are a little tough, and Caspian is the darkest, and Silver Chair is pretty dark too… physically and tonally. A lot of it takes place underground. That’s why, for the next one, we’re really hoping to go in the direction of The Magician’s Nephew.”
UPDATE 2: The clip is on our YouTube Channel. Listen below…
Transcript:
(1:50 – 5:14)
IO: [Dawn Treader] started out very slowly in the United States.
MF: “Yeah, very slow. Made for an agonizing opening weekend.”
IO: What do you think went on? Why do you think it was so slow?
MF: “People are just so busy at Christmas time. And we in Hollywood are so ego-centric. We feel like everyone can just drop everything they have, all their family commitments, all their Christmas commitments and dedicate themselves to seeing a movie on opening day. And we’re real impatient. But, eventually the movie stayed in the theaters and ended up doing really well. We were pleased with it.”
IO: It did much better overseas, didn’t it?
MF: “Three times what it did here. It’s quite a puzzle, and it’s fun because there’s so little research that’s done in Hollywood. You’re free to just forward as many theories as you want. And, I don’t really know why the disparity is. What’s interesting in the United States is, ticket sales almost exactly mirror the book sales. So the number of people who saw Prince Caspian was half the number of people who saw The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. And the book sales are half. The people who saw Dawn Treader was about a third less than the people who saw Prince Caspian. And the book sales are about a third less.”
IO: Prince Caspian was a bit darker and grim and violent.
MF: “Yeah, and this is the paradox when you want to do faithful adaptations. That book is a dark war kind of novel. And we actually pulled back a little. In one scene, Peter beheads a couple of people [laughs]. At the end they run into some Greek gods who give everybody wine and they get drunk. So it’s amazing because I think a lot of us, in our minds, have this perfect image of these Narnia books because we grew up with them. But there are some elements in there that are a little tough, and Caspian is the darkest, and Silver Chair is pretty dark too… physically and tonally. A lot of it takes place underground. That’s why, for the next one, we’re really hoping to go in the direction of The Magician’s Nephew.”
IO: You talk about mirroring the book sales. The Magician’s Nephew was the second-highest seller of the series, wasn’t it?
MF: “Yes. And pretty close, sort of nipping at the heels of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. It’s amazing and it’s a great origin story. And I like the way that Lewis did it and that’s what we’re trying to do with our film, which is: You actually start in the middle of the story, so then when you tell the origin it’s much more interesting. You can say to yourself ‘that’s where the lamp-post came from!’”
IO: Oh yeah, you can connect the dots on that which is always a lot of fun. What about production schedule and all of that? Do you have a script for this yet?
MF: “No, we don’t. We’re still in our conversations right now with 20th Century Fox, and the C.S. Lewis Estate who own the rights to all the books. So, we’re all trying to come to an agreement about which film to do next and how to film it. So, we’re waiting to see where that goes.”
Back in October, NarniaWeb posted a poll on the homepage asking which film should be made next. 86% voted for The Silver Chair (1,841 total votes).
UPDATE 1: We just added a new poll. Go back to the homepage and scroll down to the poll on the bottom-right.
In conclusion. I think if they make MN as the next film it will be completely different then the book.
Yeah, from the very beginning of MN, Lewis writes as though he assumes the reader has already read LWW at least.
I didn't realize we were arguing. I was explaining my visualization of marshwiggle country (similar to a Scottish marsh) and you were (not) explaining yours. When you say "more like a swamp" I think you mean muddier, but I'm not sure.
I though Skandar was too old for the part starting in PC. He looks older than Anna!
First of all LB has to be last because it relies on all of the other books for back story. Secondly, the Pevensie are supposed to be adults in LB, so we don't have to worry about their aging for a long time. As for Eustace and Jill, that's complicated because it depends on whether or not they replace Eustace in SC. Thirdly, they are out of their minds if they spend good money on a film production of a children's book in which everyone dies in the end. I think it makes a lot more sense to do a cartoon version of LB and include it in the box set of the Chronicles series.
1. The marketability of Silver Chair depends on how well they do the movie. In MN the only marketing hook they have is the White Witch. They can't market the plot because it's too convoluted to convey in a trailer. They can't market the protagonists because Polly is a foil, and Digory's character development is mostly internalized. Both are likely to be dwarfed by their surroundings for most of the film. Whereas, SC has an easily explained plot, a feisty heroine, and a unique sidekick/guide, with a lot of quirky one-liners. They also have LGK and Rilian as eye candy for older viewers.
As for the introduction to Narnia, in SC, Jill is new to Narnia, and in the book we live through her joy of discovery. The film should have a similar effect. MN isn't nearly as interesting if you don't already know about Narnia.
HHB has to come before LB. It provides the back story on the Calormenes. As for the children's ages, the three older kids are already old enough to be in HHB. Georgie, at 16, could be styled to look old enough even if they filmed HHB next.
SC and LB are supposed to take place 7 years apart, so I'm not sure what you mean by making them back-to-back for the sake of the kids' ages(?).
Whatever, muddier explains it a little bit better. Google pics of marshes, and youll see what I mean by yellowish grey.
I was actually thinking that they do SC and MN back-to-back since it's between those two that they're trying to decide on doing next.
Well guys, just be positive about the next movie. They had an okay excuse for changing the story like they did in VDT but in PC they had no excuse. If FOX or WALDEN have learned their lesson they will stay with the book with what ever movie is next! They should know better by now though I don't blame them for VDT. But that's my opinion. 😉
I know what you mean. Like the Dead Marshes of LOTR.
Yes, more like those, only without the dead bodies and ghosts.
I had know idea that there was a writers strike. Well that explains it a little bit.
I would like it if people like Flaherty just would accept the fact that the last two movies were, compared to the book, really bad. And thats why LWW was a fan fav, because it was close to the book. Well, LWW would be a fan fav anyways, because it is the most widly known of the books. But that is not an excuse for PC and VDT doing badly.
I really hope not,that would ruin the series for me.
Well, they kinda needed to add some plot for VDT, cause there was really no exciting, edge of your seat plot for the book.
Ya, but who would play Proffessor Kirke in Last Battle, I thought the guy who played him in LWW was good, and whos sayin hes gonna be able to still act by then (around 2019???. If they make the Last Battle???). The whole entire project is so up in the air its kinda like, whos sayin there will be another Narnia after SC/MN (if they decide on which movie to make)
i actually like SC least. maybe the movie would be better if they showed caspian and lil
s romance, a royal wedding, the birth of their prince, etc. these movies have very few happy moments, in screen time, if you 've ever noticed. even when they celebrated the end in PC, it was maybe 45 seconds with them riding iinto town, why does it always have to be ugly sea serpents or wars or killing? can we have a little happy screen time please, Fox?
i'd love to see a faithful animated adaptation of all seven chronicles. maybe with computers now instead of hand drawings they could get it done fast.
2008 there was a strike i think for a year, then violence with gang wars an d guns broke out in mexico right before filimng was to start, then they had to change locations, that took another 6 months, i think. meanwhile the kids are sprouting up like beanpoles….
Thank you. I'm just getting a lot of inspiration from Narnia. I wonder what else I could come up with… If u like to know what each story is about please let me know.
i wish they would make the screwtape letters as a big movie too.
it wouldn't take so long if they would just use the freaken book for the script, instead of dreaming up a totally new unrelated plot then calling it by a narnia book title. {sarcasm}
yeah, like the creator of the universe will not be found to be the emperor- over- the- sea,and aslan—–but oprah winfrey assisted by eckhart tolle. {sarcasm}
the problem is movies of today can't be gentle and intelligent about searching for heaven. they have to be about bashing a monster's head in.
At least Silver Chair has a legit storyline compared to VDT where the just sail all over the place. And there are a ton of new characters in SC, and pretty much a whole new world. I think the Emerald Witch would be cool to see.
I prefer the silver chair to be the next movie
I have to agree. make them at the same time.
Wow, you guys are great debaters.
I'm getting used to the idea that it might be better artistically and book faithfully to recast Eustace and keep the bullying idea of Silver Chair in. Unless they find the most unique way to keep Will and adapt SC to make it believable and gripping as a story and cast a strong actress as Jill then I don't know if there's any hope of it being good.
just make all the movies, that way i can have all seven books and all seven movies… and my daughter can audition either way they do it…
Are you saying I don't actually have to slay a sea-serpent?! My world just turned upside down. :O
I heard in an interview a short time ago that when John Huston (a classic director for those that don't know) was going to direct The Maltese Falcon he gave the book to his secretary or screenwriter and said type this up. The script was written in 2 weeks and the film stuck very close to the original material. The maltese Falcon ended up being very succesfull and a major hit, its too bad people in Hollywood can't do this today, how much better Narnia could have been.
Thats strange, because although it makes more sense to read LWW first, Lewis actually intended for MN to be read first. I think that is the wrong way to read it, because MN is more like an explaining book, less of a starter for the series.
I totally agree with you there Dylan! Yes they should have gone with the book more but I enjoyed it MUCH better than PC. It at least stayed with the spirit of the story with Eustace and all (granted some would disagree with me and that's fine). So cheer to Narnia 4 (what ever you are)!!!
🙂
Amen to that Queen!! The Silver Chair is my second to the favorite int the series. Granted it's darker than PC but thats how the story goes and that's what makes it very cool. And the Emerald Witch will be a breathe of fresh air compared to the white witch…the white witch…the witch…The Emerald Witch that becomes a HUGE snake (common isn't it cool)!I will love MN but I will LOVE SC much more if they do it right. Even if they don't go with the book all the way I will try to enjoy it. 🙂
Amen to that Queen!! The Silver Chair is my second to the favorite int the series. Granted it's darker than PC but that's how the story goes and that's what makes it very cool. And the Emerald Witch will be a breathe of fresh air compared to the white witch…the white witch…the witch…The Emerald Witch that becomes a HUGE snake (common isn't it cool)!I will love MN but I will LOVE SC much more if they do it right. Even if they don't go with the book all the way I will try to enjoy it. 🙂
Whoops about the repeat! Lol!
🙂 😉
no, lewis DID NOT intend MN to be read first. he did not reorder them in his lifetime, which he could have if he wanted to . some boneheads came along 30 years after his death and took it upon themselves to do that. stupid move, too.
that is so cool. the problem is these people decide FOR US WHAT "WE" want to see. says who? or such and such wouldn't look good onscreen… blah blah. I'd rather see a faithful adaptation of a hit than a whitewashed version that is so unrelated.
Actually, let me refraze that, Lewis did not INTEND for it to be read that way, he just agreed with it being read that way. You are right, he never re ordered the series, but he did hint that he wanted it that way. I think reading it in publication order makes way more sense. I really dont like how they reordered it, and made HHB the third book, doesnt make sense at all.
I think freshynfs is on to something with the Maltese Falcon analogy. They need to cast Humphrey Bogart as Puddleglum!
Narnia rules, all others rule. Lets not forget about middle earth here.
If they can cut out the build-up of the "Green Mist" for the Silver Chair movie, I would be totally fine by that 🙂 Non-readers can question all they want for all I care.
I would like for them to do MN+HB this year then Sc at least by next year.I LOVED VDT, why did it have to be so emotional at the end? And LWW+PC were good also. I really am going to miss the siblings.
Putting emotion in VDT's end made it bittersweet like the book. I mean even if they didn't make it emotional you'd still be feeling sad anyway so why not amp it up a little? And there something grand about the torch being passed to Eustace. But at the same time I will miss the siblings too. And for the next movie…do SC and then MN after. Followed by HB and then the Biggest Finale ever…The Last Battle! Please Fox and Walden, please…
I MISS THE PEVENSIES! to me they ARE narnia!!
Probably because you saw the movies first. I actually didn't like the Pevensies as they were portrayed in the books. Peter and Susan had barely any presence or personality. Lucy was a sickening goody-goody. Edmund was tolerable, but not nearly as interesting as Eustace, Jill, Puddleglum, Shasta, Aravis, Bree, and Digory. I don't even own copies of LWW or PC. Granted, I think part of the problem is that I don't feel Lewis really hit his stride as a children's author until VDT. The writing in LWW and PC was very thin and business-like, and that affected the character development. The writing in the later books was more fleshed out. It still left a lot open to speculation and imagination, but I felt that was part of it's power.
It did stay with the spirit of the book, and was a ton better then Prince Caspian. I loved the special effects in VDT, and over all it did make for a very beutifull movie. Maybe the searching for heaven thing was a little absent, but overall it was a good movie. I think it would have been a little better if Disney had stayed on the project, and Adamson was directing. I agree with you in that they really brought out Eustaces character(what can I say, they picked the right acter). The only thing that didnt hit quite home for me was you dindt see much of the change of Eustace the human, because he was normal only at the end of the movie.
I think that Edmund was really the only character in LWW that was described a lot. Peter and Susan talked like every other page, and you didnt quite get a good picture of the character. Lucy shouldve been descriped more then she was. Over all you are very right in the fact that the later books were much more descriptive than the earlier books.
What do you mean? The green mist was destroyed in VDT. There's no reason for it to appear in SC. Or are you talking about LGK explaining how she tried to use the green mist before she decided to enslave the creatures of Bism? I don't think that's necessary. Audiences can make the connection on their own (when they see LGK using green smoke to hypnotize the kids) or they can assume that the Green Mist was a stand-alone villainous entity. Either way works.
2. Special Effects can not sell a movie single-handedly any more, not in the all-important American market anyway. The flops and breakout successes of the past year bear this out. Also, movie marketing campaigns that I've seen suggest that Hollywood is getting wise to this. A TV spot for Thor included a clip of him walking down the street in normal clothes looking pensive. Half of the online trailer was devoted to character moments not special effects moments. Much of the TV spots for Fast 5 focused on shots of the cast standing around looking like they were enjoying themselves. People want characters and/or concepts that they can invest in emotionally. Even if the movie is marketed as a diverting thrill ride, rather than deep, thoughtful material, people want to see characters that they would want to join on a thrill ride. MN plot and character development leave audiences with very little that they can hook into emotionally.
Now, in non-native English speaking countries, special effects can still sell a movie on their own. So MN would probably be a lot easier to market in those countries, and will get better word of mouth. If SC is next, marketing in those countries needs to focus on special effects moments like dodging the giants, floating over the sea, flying on owls, the snow dance, the glowing forest, the silver chair wrapping it's tendrils around Rilian's arms, maybe a back-shot of the witch turning into a snake.
I think they could manage it either way, but I think replacing Will would make the adaptation process a lot easier.
They're having trouble scraping together the funding for 1 Narnia movie, they certainly can't afford two.
Oh, Silver Chair def. 🙂
YES!!!! I think that Will is probably one of the best 'Eaustace's' that you could get… except he puffs his nose too much. LOL 🙂
Yeah, Capian in the book was blonde… and happy… def. not dark. (Sorry Ben B.) 🙂
I can understand that they're worried about Silver Chair being a dark movie, but it's got a much more cohesive plot in my opinion than Prince Caspian (mind you, I actually like both the book and movie of Prince Caspian). Silver Chair is, in a way, a culmination of the best plot elements of the other books – a journey through various different lands, character development/self discovery, a clear villain, and a clear ending. The darkness of the story is very magical, not political like Prince Caspian (which maybe bored some of its target audience). The parts that happen IN the dark/underground, are really interesting and exciting.
Personally, I found it one of the better-paced stories of the series. I'm just concerned that switching to Magician's Nephew (which I also really enjoyed & hope to see on the big screen, but seemed pretty random at times) would feel like an interruption in the story, especially with the concern over actor ages.
Also, I really want to see the transformation of the Lady into the snake done believably. While I enjoyed the BBC version, the Rilian fighting a carnival prize was a little anticlimactic.
Lol, at "Rilian fighting a carnival prize." That's exactly how I felt about that part.
I agree that SC is much more magical than PC. I also think they can address the dark moments by taking advantage of the moments of brightness to create a dark/bright pattern, and making the darkness mysterious and suspenseful, rather than just gloomy. I remember feeling the sense of mystery in reading the Underland section. Where are they going? What's up with the shuffling gnome creatures on the docks? Who is the goofball in black?
I'm sorry Queen C, I admire your drive for success, but the whole Vampire/Werewolf thing is just not origional. In my local Schuler's book store there is a whole wall of vapire/werewolf novels. They're just not appealing anymore. I think you'd have better luck with a more origional storyline. 🙂
The bbc movie used to freek me out when I was little.