John Howe No Longer on the Project

In his latest newsletter, John Howe admits working feverishly on the Narnia project during the early months of 2003. Howe writes, “From February through May I didn’t do much else except work my fingers to the bone drawing lions, witches and wardrobes pretty much full time.”

The studio had asked Howe not to say anything about his involvement in the project, although he had not been in contact with the studio since Grant Major left the project in July of 2003. No announcement has been made as to whether Howe’s work will be used in the film.

Howe wrote this apology to his fans: “And last but far from least, apologies to all those who asked if I had indeed stepped through the wardrobe, and to whom I either lied or artfully dodged the question. Sorry about that, I hope you’ll forgive me. It won’t happen again (until next time).”

His full statement is below:
–taken from john-howe.com
WHERE I TELL THE TRUTH*…
… The Whole Truth** and Nothing But The Truth***

And, last but not least, for those of you who have been wondering how I manage to spend so much time getting so little done, I have a confession to make. Since last February, I haven’t been very honest… Nearly a year ago, in the lobby of a hotel, a fellow walked up and said (what else?) “Excuse me, Mr. Alan Lee?” “No! I’m the other guy!” I shrieked, collaring him and banging his head repeatedly on the reception desk. I didn’t actually do that, I probably mumbled something unitelligible as is my wont when faced with a chance to be witty, and when asked what I was doing in New Zealand, I foolishly replied I was working on a film project, but of course declined to say which one. End of conversation. The next day, a local newspaper ran an article “John Howe seen in the company of film-maker Andrew Adamson”. Happily, local newspapers are by definition local, but so much for discretion… There you have it. From February through May I didn’t do much else except work my fingers to the bone drawing lions, witches and wardrobes pretty much full time.
And last but far from least, apologies to all those who asked if I had indeed stepped through the wardrobe, and to whom I either lied or artfully dodged the question. Sorry about that, I hope you’ll forgive me. It won’t happen again (until next time). Now that the production has moved to New Zealand I’ve wandered out of the wardrobe and shut the door carefully behind me. I can at last mention the project, but of course five months of hard sketching will have to wait for an eventual “Art of” book…