Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news.

Disney Won't VOYAGE On The DAWN TREADER!! Will There Even Be A Third NARNIA Film Now??

Fuck Disney by Son of a Butch	Dec 24th, 2008 07:10:50 AM
Fans have been waiting for decades for a proper film adaption of the Narnia series. By all rights, these movies should be bringing in shitloads of money for them and the fact that the last one underperformed only means that Disney fucked up. And now the fans may never get the movies we wanted because of it. Shit.
Wow by Mr.Deadite	Dec 24th, 2008 07:11:52 AM
Am I really first? Is no one on AICN right now? Well, I'm not surprised by this news at all. Prince Caspian wasn't all that good either. Would've been nice to see a couple of the other books, The Silver Chair comes to mind.
Damnit by Mr.Deadite	Dec 24th, 2008 07:12:20 AM
Missed my first because I'm stoned and started rambling.
Wrong release date by Charlie_Allnut	Dec 24th, 2008 07:19:09 AM
Caspian clearly was not a summer movie. It would play well right now I think as there are no similar movies right now, as opposed to all the comic book movies in the summer. "What movie do want to see kids? Iron Man or Prince Caspian?" Dumb.
No shit... by Son of a Butch	Dec 24th, 2008 07:22:51 AM
It opened mere days before Indy 4. Gee, which movie is going to get all the media attention? The Prince Caspian release was fucked from day one.
Disney's Caspian was terrible by Grammaton Cleric Binks	Dec 24th, 2008 07:23:22 AM
I've loved the Chronicles since I started reading them at age 10. The truth is Disney destroyed Caspian. They took too much meat out of the story, and made so many changes that it was unrecognizable. Just a few examples from the book: Caspian was younger than Peter; there were no Ents, but the dryads (tree spirits) did awaken; there was no attack on the castle; Narnians were not thought to be extinct, wiped out by the Telmarines, but a myth that never existed in the first place.
December release idiots by marathonjedi	Dec 24th, 2008 07:28:27 AM
who is the retard at disney that won't set this for a holiday release around christmas?Releasing this in may is just stupid.
No surprise by GeorgieBoy	Dec 24th, 2008 07:28:41 AM
I think Disney was looking for Narnia to be a powerhouse like LOTR, but the story just isn't strong enough to carry it. And the CGI rodents look incredibly fake.
Agreed, Charlie_Allnut by SamuelLappDance	Dec 24th, 2008 07:32:33 AM
That mid-May release date doomed it. The economy was tanking back then, too, and people only have so much money to spend on movies. "Iron Man" and "Indy IV" were must-sees. "Prince Caspian" would have been a major hit in the same release window as the first film in 2005 (November/holiday season). It would have filled the vacancy left by the "Harry Potter" delay and easily cleared $200 million in North America.
grammaton... don't know what movie you saw by crashbarbarian	Dec 24th, 2008 07:43:15 AM
but caspian was far from terrible, good action, good cgi, good story, and the acting was not bad at all, other than harry potter, which fanatasy movies have been as good at this other than LOTR? Disney, voyage is the best book, and the franchise is worth continuing on... don't do this!!!!
That's a shame by GoSensGo	Dec 24th, 2008 07:44:27 AM
So Disney tried to take the whole religious theme out of the film, and make a grittier LOTR-style movie, and mess with the story AGAIN, and now wash their hands of the whole franchise? Hmmmm. Seems like Disney needs to employ some people who understand storytelling, and some Christians on staff wouldn't hurt.
Haven't seen Caspian yet... by The Funketeer	Dec 24th, 2008 07:47:38 AM
but Lion was a huge let down for me. The best parts of the book are quiet little moments, snippets of dialogue even, that were completely cut out of the movie (all told it would have amounted to maybe a minute of film) in favor of expanding battles we never even see in the book.
Haven't seen Caspian yet... by The Funketeer	Dec 24th, 2008 07:47:40 AM
but Lion was a huge let down for me. The best parts of the book are quiet little moments, snippets of dialogue even, that were completely cut out of the movie (all told it would have amounted to maybe a minute of film) in favor of expanding battles we never even see in the book.
Finally, a studio makes a smart financial decision by YackBacker	Dec 24th, 2008 07:48:57 AM
This franchise was a mess even from the beginning. It made money to start, but the signs of its failure preceded CASPIAN. If I held stock in Disney, I'd be very happy with this decision. Now, as for those who liked these movies, this news is really fucked up. But that's life.
crashbarbarian has a point by Son of a Butch	Dec 24th, 2008 07:49:50 AM
Aside from The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe, Voyage of the Dawn Treader is by far the most popular of the Narnia books (and much more so than Prince Caspian). Bailing out at this point is a bad move on Disney's part.
Hallelujah! by kwisatzhaderach	Dec 24th, 2008 07:51:35 AM
The Narnia films were overproduced, bland, CG-infested disasters.
TOTALLY AGREE by BurgerTime	Dec 24th, 2008 08:00:47 AM
Disney's releasing on Caspian was an abomination. I went to see it, but it felt totally out of place next to films like Indy 4 and Iron Man. The same goes for Harry Potter. Some films just feel like holiday season naturals and shouldn't be let loose on an more agressive summer market. Sadly, this is a case of a film being a victim of its incompetent marketing strategies.
I can just hear the Disney execs.... by Son of a Butch	Dec 24th, 2008 08:05:12 AM
"Wait, you mean there's no big epic battle in the next Narnia? Forget that, then. Everyone knows all good fantasy have big epic battles at the end."
THE CHRONICLES OF... by Dead_Geek	Dec 24th, 2008 08:06:32 AM
... HOW DISNEY GETS THIER GREEDY LITTLE HANDS ON A FRANCHISE THAT SHOULD MAKE TONS ON MONEY FOR THEM IF DONE RIGHT, BUT INSTEAD, FCKS IT IN THE A$$ AND LEAVES IT TO DIE IN AN ALLEYWAY! FCK DISNEY!
They'll find someone by pumaman	Dec 24th, 2008 08:08:57 AM
Disney is old hat. There will be more Narnia movies.
If Warner Bros had lost confidence by Mr Gorilla	Dec 24th, 2008 08:11:00 AM
...after CHAMBER OF SECRETS, we wouldn't have had the much better 3rd, 4th and 5th films in the HARRY POTTER sequence. That being said, I am so glad they never got their dirty, Disneyfied hands on THE MAGICIAN'S NEPHEW. Which is a beautiful, beautiful book.
Really disappointed by this move by Drath	Dec 24th, 2008 08:15:35 AM
But I'll be honest, I more wanted to see the Last Battle and the Magician's Nephew. But I'd have seen this one! Surprised they are dropping this though. The theory at Jim Hill Media was that it's viewed as an Eisner legacy and no one wants to support it when it needs the help. Of course, Pirates of the Carribean is ALSO an Eisner legacy, but it's making obvious money in the summer, so they don't care. Really should have saved Caspian for this season as this is the dullest, lamest holiday season in the 2000s. Not even a single pretender to the old Potter/Rings/Fantasy Family throne.
Apted not really right, either... by Mr Gorilla	Dec 24th, 2008 08:15:52 AM
Seriously, THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH is so dull it's almost unwatchable. How it manages to be so lumbering but keep all the uncomfortable sexism from the 70s is beyond me. So maybe Apted wasn't right - his smaller films are much, much better. (I really enjoyed Enigma.)
Sad... by godric	Dec 24th, 2008 08:16:26 AM
All I can do is sigh wearily and chime in with the rest of you. Dawn Treader is my favorite in the series, and it has, you know, actual story, so it wouldn't require all the expanding Caspian did. Someone pick it up. Please?
Disney makes a mistake, blames someone else. by Phimseto	Dec 24th, 2008 08:17:15 AM
The same thing happened ten years ago when Disney's ad wizards decided to make a huge splash promoting Hayao Miyazaki. They hyped him as "Japan's Walt Disney", did a huge campaign to promote their first widespread release of a Miyazaki film. The problem? That film was "Princess Mononoke", a dark and rather grisly PG-13 story that was nothing like it was promoted to be. Now, don't get me wrong - the film is good - but it was marketed wrong and got a lot of bad buzz because of its unexpected content. Disney's reaction at the time was to blame the film and Studio Ghibli instead of its own mistake in leading a Ghibli charge with "Princess Mononoke". It sank all their Ghibli-related plans until "Spirited Away" four years. Even then, I would attribute the health of the Disney/Ghibli relationship to the ascendency of John Lassiter than to any wisdom on the Disney corporate board. Prince Caspian is a classic end of year kind of film: family friendly, religiously-themed (no matter how diluted), gentle in message. It was foolish to release it in the summer and I knew exactly what would happen when the film did not perform up to standard. My hope was that they would learn their lesson and push "Voyage" to the fall, but I seem to recall them giving the next film another summer date. Idiots. If anyone from Walden happens to read this thread, stick with your November releases.
I'm sorry, but Narnia was boring. by AgentArchangel	Dec 24th, 2008 08:18:18 AM
I never read the books, but when I saw the first movie it just seemed...boring. (Plus, how many times can that damn kid scream "FOR NARNIAAAAAAA?!11!!" before it becomes annoying to everyone?) Still, it is a shame that Disney decided to pull the plug on something that still could have made them money. I mean, they could have at least rounded out the trilogy, and from what I hear the Pevensie kids aren't as prominant in the future installments. They could have ended the Pevensie storyline, and teased at whoever's next in line. It's not my cup of tea, but I can still recognize that it's not fair to the fans of the film/books/miniseries.
Thank GOD. Now make Golden Compass 2 by RogueWarrior65	Dec 24th, 2008 08:31:58 AM
I made the mistake of buying the Audiobook series for a trip from Arizona to DC and back. IMHO, spend on the money on Golden Compass 2. That was an infinitely better fantasy world.
Horrible release strategy by zacdilone	Dec 24th, 2008 08:33:45 AM
The Narnia films should've been released every two years during the Christmas holiday season. Disney is to blame for "Caspian"'s low box office. They thought they could go up against Iron Man and Indy, and they were wrong. They could've wiped the floor with Desperaux, though. Plus Narnia by its very nature has a Christmas-y feel to the whole thing that would've played well this time of year. Disney screwed up, plain and simple.
i think releasing star trek in the summer by robamenta	Dec 24th, 2008 08:37:54 AM
will be a mistake as well...it would have done really well this year, with no other fantasy sci fi playing right now.
They should have filmed, "A Horse and His Boy." by Leafar the Lost	Dec 24th, 2008 08:46:02 AM
Disney should have filmed the Narnia movies in chronological order, and here it is: The Magician's Nephew; The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe; The Horse and His Boy; Prince Caspian; The Voyage of the Dawn Treader; The Silver Chair; and The Last Battle. I am sure that the movie fans kept asking themselves, "Where is the Horse and His Boy? Why didn't they film the Magician's Nephew first?
Lets face it... by Turtle_Z	Dec 24th, 2008 08:50:01 AM
... they weren't that good. I love the books from my childhood, but those films just didn't have the same grip. It just didn't feel right and thats reflected in the public response.
Well this is sad. by Starfox221	Dec 24th, 2008 08:50:36 AM
I think these days the studio just cares about raking in more money and not about the content of the movie...=( Obviously this is how studios get their money but there used to be a time when studios just wanted to produce GOOD quality movies like Disney used to a long time ago. Sad days indeed.
Since They're Not Making It, Somebody Tell Me How It Ends by estacado1	Dec 24th, 2008 08:51:51 AM
Just curious how things turn out, and how it relates to the Jesus story. But the suggestion the make Golden Compass 2 was a good one. I really enjoyed the movie. I don't see why it got the bad rep it did.
They never did get the tone of the movies quite right... by FlickaPoo	Dec 24th, 2008 09:00:55 AM
...I think it's easy for a studio to miss exactly what it is that kids love about certain books. In Narnia I think that a weird combination of a pinch of epic-osity and a whole lot of cozyness are a big part of the appeal. Narnia felt like Big Adventure but still somehow warm and fuzzy...and then every once and a while you would get just a glimpse of the larger universe (like the edge of the world in Dawn Treader or that impossibly high mountain in Silver Chair) and it would give you this brisk cold thrill. Strange for me to say, but I think Narnia should have been aimed at a slightly younger audience...could even have had a lower budget (but used more creatively) and might have been a bigger hit.....I could go on for quite a while about this. But I'll stop now.
agree on Star Trek by marathonjedi	Dec 24th, 2008 09:01:19 AM
They are going to screw that up also with the release date.Have you looked at may?Who is making the marketing decisions over there.I know previous Trek's have failed in the holiday spot,but i think with this abrams one it would have done really well with a early december release.
I too agree that the placing of PC on the summer schedule doomed by VAWitch	Dec 24th, 2008 09:06:07 AM
It wasn't a bad movie (refreshed my Narnia reading after tLtW&tW), but against the summer "blockbusters", it was screwed from the get-go. On the other hand, for the first time in several years - I have NO holiday-release I am excited about...
Well... that kinda sucks. by 7pointedstar	Dec 24th, 2008 09:07:15 AM
Dawn Treader was - to me - the most interesting and fun of all the books. I hope someone else picks it up. The world needs more Reepicheep.
Wow there really have been some amazing revelations here! by JustyHakubi	Dec 24th, 2008 09:12:59 AM
That movies are never as good as the book... holy shit, really? That Disney as a corporation is pure and unadulterated garbage? I could have told you that years ago. That anti-Christian bigots will kill the story. Fuck, say that isn't so. I liked the two movies, yes the books were better. Still the movies were pretty good. I would love for another studio to pick this up and go make a real fucking Narnia movie. I mean come on, don't pussyfoot around the philospohy behind the story. If you can't handle telling a story, regadless if its fucking some Pagan vampire love story or the fucking Rapture then get the fuck out the industry. God I hate all this PC bullshit. I hate fucking Disney too. They've sucked since Walt went boots up.
Blame Walden Media for Caspian's summer 08 release by Wayne6000	Dec 24th, 2008 09:13:31 AM
The 3rd film will still happen, but is likely to be distributed by Fox. It isn't Disney, but Walden Media who are to blame for the idiotic summer 08 release in North America, as they wanted to release their piece of shit Water Horse film on December 07, instead of Caspian which was ready to be released then.
Leafar the Lost...I disagree... by FlickaPoo	Dec 24th, 2008 09:15:56 AM
...I hate the new "chronological" re-shuffling. Narnia originally started and should always begin with The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe. Magician's Nephew is great but works better as a prequel...it's darker, more metaphysical, and not as charming and accessible as Wardrobe. Besides, I think that for a kid it's more of a rush to catch a glimpse of Narnia's creation later in the series...much better to see how the Lamp Post got there after the fact don't you think?...
Dammit Disney, you now have no reason to exist. by scottishnutjob	Dec 24th, 2008 09:18:13 AM
I was really hoping that Disney would come good with the Voyage of the Dawntreader cos the TV series was awesome and weirdly scary as hell as was the Silver Chair. The real embarassment for Disney is that despite their cartoon monsters and peanuts budget, the BBC series is still definitive. The Disney films lacked strength and heart and this is probably for the best.
Walden won't let it die on the vine. by Royston Lodge	Dec 24th, 2008 09:22:31 AM
There are plenty of studios who'd be happy to pick this one up. Lionsgate?
Again, HOLLYWOOD SUCKS DONKEY BALLS! by Darth_Kaos	Dec 24th, 2008 09:22:35 AM
I've never seen any of these movies(and don't plan to) but from what I've heard they are religious based material. Giving the reason why the first one did so well, WHEN IT WAS RELEASED AT X-MAS! The second one was released during the summer (like it was a summer blockbuster or something). Why didn't those dingle-berry fucks not release it at the same time? If they did that, it would of made the same amount of cash or more, then the greedy cock-suckers would of had no problems. Remember, the geniuses (being sarcastic, just in case you don't realize it)at Lionsgate did the same thing for Punisher: War Zone and now with the upcoming The Spirit. We all know what happened with P:WZ, and rest assure people, the same doom will happen with the (awful looking) Spirit movie. Both were released at the most inappropriate times. Wake up, counter programing doesn't work anymore. If both were released next Feb or March they would do better. Now, I know this. Why doesn't the douches that run the studios know that?
Dammit its good news if it goes elsewhere. by HermesTrismestigus	Dec 24th, 2008 09:25:24 AM
The problem with the films was Andrew Adamson, he shot a good Narnia LWTW, but put together something bland with fucking new age music, these movies need more john williams and less liam neeson. Prince Caspian definitely came out at the wrong time but a thought they made a great screenplay adaption of a difficult book, shot a good movie, but again Andrew Adamson put together a very boring film with that fucking new age music and a damn song at the end and liam fucking neeson. Its sad cuz I've always loved the books and the only one's to get it right though very rough and crude was the cbs/pbs childrens workshop version with that great score i purchased recently. Plus the books always have a nice air of menace and magic and man did they fuck up turkish delight the heroin, crack, meth amphetamine of Narnia. SumBitch.
wasn't The WaterHorse by Bloo	Dec 24th, 2008 09:29:09 AM
(which Brian Cox was REALLY good in) released in like Feb though not Dec, I could be wrong though on that? anyways, it was poorly marketed on Disney Channel, and released in summer against yeah Indy 4 and Iron Man, it just has the "look" of a winter movie, we want our fantasy at Christmas time, not in the summer
Who gives a fuck by Crow3711	Dec 24th, 2008 09:30:44 AM
Seriously, dumb ass kids.
the smart move by Mr Gorilla	Dec 24th, 2008 09:31:47 AM
would be to hold on this until, er, 2011. Once the very last Potter is out of the way, there'll be room on the block for Narnia.
You Christian faggots blaming Disney are fucking hypocrites... by FiendishMilt37	Dec 24th, 2008 09:35:49 AM
Polesmoking douchebags... how come YOU didn't support the film when it came out?? Too busy soothing prostate while watching IRON MAN or INDIANA JONES for the fifth time each? And yet you blame Disney when the film tanks, even when you couldn't be bothered to see it yourself?? Fucking asshole faggot pieces of shit, you are. Yeah, releasing it in the summer was a stupid move, but the movie was there, the message was NOT undiluted (I've read the Chronicles dozens of time, each and every one), you just wanna bitch and moan because it's Disney... and you Southern Baptist Knob Goblins, three rows deep in the fucking closet, you have an axe to grind with Disney because they refuse to live in petrified horror of some "God" you want to enforce on everyone. Some "Christians" you are. Forget Aslan, let's get Pax Romana on your sanctimonious asses and reintroduce the lot of you to your Colloseum lion buddies.
Prince Caspian was a brilliant film IMO by performingmonkey	Dec 24th, 2008 09:39:33 AM
It took the most boring book of the series, where not much happens, and turned it into something huge. It was great, regardless of the acting of the guy who played Caspian. Disney are out because they were probably wondering how they were going to market Dawn Treader. They probably want people to think sea movie = POTC, but Dawn Treader isn't like that. I bet they also wanted them to cut moments like the 'lamb of God' at the end and the fact that they almost reach 'Aslan's country' aka Heaven by sailing to the end of the world. It could have been excellently epic but I'm thinking it won't get made now Disney are out. And if it does it won't have the funding behind it to make the movie the story deserves. Fuck. Everyone.
The fact of the matter is... by herr_howard	Dec 24th, 2008 09:39:57 AM

Let George Romero dircect it by Knobules	Dec 24th, 2008 09:40:57 AM
Those flicks need more blood.
The problem with the Golden comapss... by emeraldboy	Dec 24th, 2008 09:48:43 AM
or the lyra trilogy. is this. There is rather a large swathe of americans who are evangelistic. I have read all three boks. The second book and newline knows the following is unfilmable. There are three main problems from a movie making point of view. one. the two angels. balthamos and baruch would have to go. second. the Republic of heaven. would have to go. three. the dust plot of the book would have to go to. NEwline knows that the second movie would be effects driven. more so than the first. Lyras friend uses his knife to cut through time to look for his dad and he is on the run. The subtle knife is a very complex work. newline blew the first movie. So they are not going forward with this series.
As I was trying to say... by herr_howard	Dec 24th, 2008 09:48:59 AM
The fact of the matter is that Disney took Prince Caspian which in it's entirety had only ONE chapter related to any kind of fighting and tried to turn it into an action adventure movie. Plus, many of the subtleties in the book like all of the apples growing around Cair Paravel were only there as window dressing in the movie(apples were mentioned in the book so we have to have a set with apples...but, unlike the book where the kids got tired of eating only apples, we'll never mention them again). I also dislike the fact that they changed the characters of Susan and Lucy so much. Susan was a complaining harpie for the whole book (tired of walking, tired of eating apples, why do we have to be back here) and Lucy whose role was to be the one whose faith led her back to Aslan first (hmm...Christian comparison there?) was turned into a pint-sized kick-ass chick. Also, why the need to add a battle in the movie that never even happened in the book? It doesn't make any sense! But since these movies were designed for the unclean masses who don't read anymore, they'll never know what a total waste that was. All in all, they took a book about going away from something you believed in and finding your way back to it again and turned it into a miniature LOTR wannabe. The book was all character development and no oomph, but Walden Media flipped that around. Anymore, don't trust movie makers to make faithful adaptations of the books you might read one day (Don't get me started on the horrible abomination "The Tale of Despereaux" has turned out to be). For the sake of your own sanity, read a book and let your imagination soar. It will be a far better than any movie you'll see on screen.
...IT HUUUUUURTS!!!!!!!...... by FlickaPoo	Dec 24th, 2008 09:50:22 AM
...THEY'RE RAPING US!!...AND IT HUUUUUUURTS!!!!........damn woodland creatures.
Fuck you Disney. Just keep sucking Pixar's cock.... by DANNYGLOVERS_DICKBLOOD	Dec 24th, 2008 09:52:10 AM
....Walden needs to make sure this shit gets made. Caspian rocked the house.
This was called a while back... by bc1970	Dec 24th, 2008 09:56:07 AM
Even before Caspian came out, it was stated that Disney would keep an eye on returns. If it didn't perform, Disney would move on to the John Carter series. See the 3/08 Jim Hill article below http://jimhillmedia.com/blogs/ jim_hill/archive/2008/03/16/as -disney-gets-nervous-about-nar nia-pixar-now-sets-its-sights- on-mars.aspx
Walden still needs to give us "Greenwitch". by Anna Valerious	Dec 24th, 2008 09:56:47 AM
I want to see Romany Mitothin, dammit. And we still need "Eldest" to be made.
I was shocked at the cowardly way..... by emeraldboy	Dec 24th, 2008 09:56:56 AM
they edited lion. That scene with the witch and aslan is a crucial part of the book. it is pivotal. and yet disney blanked the part with the witch stabbing aslan. cowards.
Disney did a lousy job with the Narnia films anyway. by jimmy rabbitte	Dec 24th, 2008 09:57:46 AM
This should be picked up, by someone who could give it the Peter Jackson/Guillermo del Toro treatment. At this juncture, I will trot out one of may favorite guys to suggest, in these types of situations... Peter Weir. He just has a great ability for making quirky and substantial, yet accessible films. The Narnia universe would greatly benefit, from the sure hand, of an accomplished director. I know it'll never happen. Even if another studio picked it up; they would likely go back to the beginning. After all, this is the Age of the Reboot, in Hollywood; and that would very likely prove to be too confusing and frustrating to the movie going public. To sum it up, anyone who wants to introduce a younger audience to The Chronicles of Narnia, would do best to just stick with the books.
emeraldboy...agreed. And the Golden Compass movie... by FlickaPoo	Dec 24th, 2008 09:59:12 AM
...sucked. Looked great. Casting was pretty good. Boring as hell. Those books would make a good long running high concept BBC America series or something. Great books but movie unmakeable.
movie studios are scared of the backlash.. by emeraldboy	Dec 24th, 2008 10:00:38 AM
from christian groups.
...um. or just regular "real" BBC of course. by FlickaPoo	Dec 24th, 2008 10:01:26 AM

Hey Milt by JustyHakubi	Dec 24th, 2008 10:01:37 AM
Drop a few ludes a shut the fuck up for a second here. Disney sucking has nothing to do with Southern Baptists. Disney's storytelling sucks because they can't tell a story without fucking killing it. They throw money at even title under the sun and fuck up the story every time. Disney refused to put any real bite into the story because the little fucking kiddies might have nightmares and people who have a hangup over Christianity might get offended. These are the same assclowns who neutered the damn Pirates of the Caribbean ride. Disney took a story which worked perfectly well in a Christian setting and totally blunted it. Its what they do with everything. Its like Disney filming Caligula without including the orgies and incestuous relationship or A Clockwork Oragnge without the old woman getting pummelled by giant stone dildos. Its not a Christian thing. So you can't blame Christian moviegoers for not wholeheartedly supporting a story which was not put in the original setting of the story. Any movie drained of its true storytelling strength is doomed for failure or at the very least doomed to never reach its potential.
Lion = Jesus = No Thanks... by Frank Black	Dec 24th, 2008 10:06:23 AM
I saw the first one in the theater and was fine seeing good actors in a bad movie, awful CGI, talking beavers, and a creepy half naked man goat hanging with children (yeah, I read all of the books as a child but somehow it all doesn't wash now that I am older.) The movie in my head was much better than the one they made. Lion was so thick with and overdone with the religious overtones that I should get an award for sitting through the whole thing. My head still hurts from being hit with it. I like movies about religion and mythical figures. I have seen movies about the Jesus, Buddha and some of the other gods people worship and I am glad these movies exist for people. I am but my problem with Disney and other studios is that they when they make specialized films they are disappointed when not every member of the family goes to see them. I wouldn't want my kid seeing what felt like a religious training film but Christians might love it and they don't have to be sold on it. THEY are the locked audience. Not all films are for every member of the family, nor should they be. I want a good R rated film with adult content and I don't want to look around in the theater and see kids seeing it anymore than I want to see a poorly made kids film with poorly done CGI. For that matter, the BBC versions of these stories were much better. Disney should make all of the books as a reward to the fans who loved them but budget accordingly because not everyone in the world wants to see talking beavers or a Christ-like Lion. (If Pixar had made these films I would have seen every one, propaganda or not because they know how to tell great stories.)
Tale of desparuex by killianx	Dec 24th, 2008 10:06:41 AM
Even my 7 year old said it wasnt like the book!
Oh and Disney... by killianx	Dec 24th, 2008 10:08:59 AM
Totally shows their true colors with this move. Caring only about money as opposed to making good films and experiences that children wil cherish. I feel Walt took chances on that ideal and found it worked. Nowadays they let the accountants run the company.
JustyHakubi... your theory is SHIT by FiendishMilt37	Dec 24th, 2008 10:12:32 AM
Explain exactly how Disney... who by the way only financed and distributed the films, and were NOT involved creatively... explain how Disney "watered down" the Narnia films. Again, I've read these books, pardon the phrase, religiously over the past 30 years. It's all in there, with some embellishments and additions to make the story more "cinematic" without sacrificing theme or allegory. CASPIAN was a great movie. Not perfect, but a step up from the previous film and an improvement on the book, which is one of the most lackluster of the series. Lewis's message, themes, and inherent Christianity was right there for all to see. Exactly HOW was it diluted? The ball is in your court, sir.
Killianx by FiendishMilt37	Dec 24th, 2008 10:14:22 AM
What entertainment conglomerate DOESN'T care about making money? List them, please.
I avoided the golden compass movie by emeraldboy	Dec 24th, 2008 10:14:31 AM
I really did. Because I knew that New Line like other studios were scared of the backlash from christian groups. So new line compromised. Took the controversial aspects of the story out. spineless really. but then if 75% of americans are evangelicals there is nothing you can do. except tone movies down or get rid of controversial bits. Which is why to me the family film act is heinous. it compells all studios to take out violence, sex, bad language and nudity. not that you would find any of that in these books or films it just makes movies bland. the UK govt are set to introduce creationism in british schools. Creationism has no place in britsh or irish schools. and i Do wish the wish americanisation of the uk and ireland would stop.
Speaking of appropriate budgets...I just caught... by FlickaPoo	Dec 24th, 2008 10:15:06 AM
...a cool/freaky version of THE SNOW QUEEN on PBS...where the hell did that come from?...had a great look and was probably made for about as much $$ as Prince Caspian's catering budget.
Sorry, but I got distracted during 'Caspian' by zinc_chameleon	Dec 24th, 2008 10:24:49 AM
by Anna Poppiwell's rack. That doesn't usually happen, when there's a story I CARE about. But the pacing was awful, and predictable.
Milt by JustyHakubi	Dec 24th, 2008 10:41:16 AM
Because they totally watered down the whole faith aspect of the book and turned it into a LoTR knockoff. In my previous post I stated that I did enjoy the movie. However, it just wasn't the same as the book. But the movie was hamstrung by not being allowed to fully explore the themes of the books. They take a simple glazing of the original story then fill the rest up with fluff. And if you think that Disney had no creative input then you are naive. That movie needed Disney's imprimatur or it was going nowhere.
yeah, who needs another $100 million by rodneyfaile	Dec 24th, 2008 10:46:30 AM

Christians didnt show up by Omegaman	Dec 24th, 2008 10:47:02 AM
for the second one. They thought the first one was going to have alot more religion/christianity in it, and when it turned out to be a fantasy with talking beavers and wolves, etc.... and with a very subtle christian message they were disappointed. And without them you have movies that appeal too much to just kids without a built in fan base like Potter has. I think theyre making a wise decision, the third one would bomb.
Breaking News- by Flyingcircus	Dec 24th, 2008 10:47:53 AM
Platinum Dunes has stepped in to take over and reboot the franchise. They say they will give it a "darker, more gritty" feel.
Hated Narnia by Sci_Fi_Wasabe	Dec 24th, 2008 10:49:55 AM
But for some reason I enjoyed the hell out of Caspian. Never read the books, not a Christian, couldn't give a flip out the "Religilous" allegory stuff...just dug the flick. Wife likes them both, so it's kind of a bummer that it'll probably be a 2 part trilogy. "Dawn Treader" doesn't sound like a real catchy title but I thought Quantum of Solace was a stupid title so what do I know. Totally agree Caspian should have been a Fall release...summer was crowed enough. Potter shouldn't be a summer flick, but it's got enough of a fan base to hold it's own. Hope Walden finds a new home.
It was the release date by Zeegloo	Dec 24th, 2008 10:58:04 AM
May was EXTREMELY competitive this year. Between Iron Man and Indy 4, Narnia was lucky to do as well as it did.
At least Andrew Adamson is gone, fantasy filmmaking is screwed by drturing	Dec 24th, 2008 11:09:39 AM
Disney have committed to less films, and this must be right on the heels of seeing how the DVD is doing this holiday season. Just not good enough. Releasing this in summer was totally fucking stupid beyond belief, though. The problem with the Narnia films is that they were just dull thanks to Adamson's flat, uninspired direction. They felt like an animator toying with real people. Prince Caspian was one of the most boring epic battle films I've ever seen, with nary a moment spent establishing these children as interesting people... And there was something just vaguely sci fi channel-ish about Prince Caspian's look depite all the money spent. It looked like it was set somewhere tropical as opposed to the Northern European forest that the books always conjured to me. I think post LOTR there's a massive problem with all fantasy films in that execs now see them as vessels for epic battles as opposed to being about a fantastical world with details and variations on reality that are compelling in their moments. For fantasy you need atmosphere, the evocation of another world, not more boulders flying through the sky with CG shit running amok. The Golden Compass isn't meant to be about big battle scenes, but rather about a girl's voyage with her soul to face up to what her parents have defined her as.
thats the thing-- they're not losing money. by DANNYGLOVERS_DICKBLOOD	Dec 24th, 2008 11:11:20 AM
They're just not making as much as they would like. So Disney says fuck 'em and goes off to bank off more Chihuahua movies?! Oh fuck you dumb shits. Burn in fucking hell.
GoSensGo by gotilk	Dec 24th, 2008 11:15:38 AM
I agree. They tried to sanitize the religious (and NON if not anti religious) elements of the Golden Compass as well and I think it helped that film not work OR do as well in the end. It seems like a bad idea overall to dumb down the heart of a work. Tends to well.. you know... take the heart out of it. No matter one's views, it's probably not a good idea to remove what one could say is the "soul" from a work of art, story, etc. But I get this sense that plenty of christians already work at Disney. Just maybe not the kind we all run into on the street corners screaming at people.
...I want to watch a deeply eccentric... by FlickaPoo	Dec 24th, 2008 11:31:39 AM
...OUT OF THE SILENT PLANET, PERELANDRA and THAT HIDEOUS STRENGTH. They would be catastrophic films and box office failures of epic proportions...but I want to sit down and watch'em. When I make my first 500 million I will hire someone to make them for me. You know...for Christmas.
Probably just as well by Subtlety	Dec 24th, 2008 11:38:10 AM
Making the Narnias big-action-spectacle event movies was a colossal mishandling. With that much cash and merchendising on the line, Disney and the always spineless Walden couldn't risk a single bit of personality in the films. I'm an athiest, but I'd rather have the films stay true to the books; imaginative fairy tales coming from a very explicitly Christian background. The books aren't action epic debacles; in fact, they would be reasonably cheap to film as written. Hardly any effects shots would be necessary! Without a huge budget at stake, they could hire someone to write and direct who could actually parse the magic out of the stories, rather than just milking them for action and spectacle. So, I think its just as well that Dawn Treader won't happen. Let the series die for awhile; in a few years someone else will take a shot at it and hopefully approach it with a better perspective than disney (especially coming off of the LOTR cycle). Likewise the "Dark is Rising" saga which was recently botched so horrifically. I do feel a little bad about poor "Golden Compass" though; pretty uneven first film but I thought it had enough right that they might have just been able to pull off an interesting trilogy.
This is Not Insurmountable... by DeeJay	Dec 24th, 2008 11:41:44 AM
... but raises the question as to how far this will set back the production. I'm not too familiar with the books (and don't know how often we would see re-occurring non-CGI characters), so I've no idea how such delays might affect the future casting. Whatever the case, I don't doubt that we'll see more "Narnia" movies in the future...
But I Was So Looking Forward To... by wampa_one	Dec 24th, 2008 11:42:11 AM
The next installment in The Golden Compass series... Oh. Wait.
But on a positive note by wampa_one	Dec 24th, 2008 11:44:55 AM
They'll greenlight Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2 any day now. Assholes.
Ironically by bellwether	Dec 24th, 2008 11:45:37 AM
...Voyage is the only one I might have been interested in seeing. It was my favorite when I was a kid, before I knew what the series was about, how Lewis really thought, and Narnia all started to seem a bit unsavory. I avoided Dark Materials because New Line clearly didn't have the balls to do a proper adaption (it's on TV tomorrow, I see). The books are a truly great and beautiful work. Maybe I'll live long enough to see them done right.
drturing by Subtlety	Dec 24th, 2008 11:46:12 AM
exatly! Nailed it. We turn to fantasy to immerse ourselves in another world. There's nothing immersive about Narnia at all. It looks about as generic as they come, and the movie is not at all interested in letting you see or care about the world and whatever quirks there might be in it. Golden Compass, I thought, did a slightly better job creating a rich, living world for the characters to run through, although ultimately it too was distracted by setpieces. An idea fantasy movie should be all atmosphere and detail; creating a believable world with its own unique character. If epic battles are part of that character, so be it (Narnia does have soem battles) but they're certainly not the focus. I wish execs would just trust the material... its not like the lack of action in Narnia or the antireligious stuff in Compass was keeping readers away... they both had huge followings!
Even I know... by Gremlin517	Dec 24th, 2008 11:49:46 AM
This was badly marketed...Oh, well. Still Disney is being stupid in the long run on this...
Key to Box Office Gold by Itchy	Dec 24th, 2008 11:50:18 AM
Chronicles of Narnia: Susan gets naked and makes out with a hot chick.
I don't know any fans of the books who name Prince Caspian as th by shatnerd	Dec 24th, 2008 11:53:15 AM
But a ton of Narnia fans LOVE Dawn Treader. There's some big Horse and His Boy fans out there also. My favorite was the Silver Chair. I was amazed when I heard they were doing Prince Caspian second and just going in order. Prince Caspian has never really captured my imagination like most of the others. I approached the movie with fingers crossed, repeating to myself,"just make enough money to get Dawn Treader made!!" I wish Disney could see that Treader would do a LOT better at the box office than Caspian. I think so, anyway. I would ACTUALLY be excited about seeing it at the theater, but I haven't really cared about the first two.
Disney wanted an adventure/fantasy franchise... by hillvalley	Dec 24th, 2008 12:02:13 PM
...of their own and just drew last in the draft. Lord of the Rings was massively successful because: 1.) The books already had a huge following that has only grown over the years. 2.) The characters/aesthetics/themes of LotR (wizards, warriors, elves, trolls, quests, etc) have become the template for almost every fantasy adventure RPG, so its base was broader than just fans of the books. 3.) Peter Jackson showed up, and somehow managed to make these movies work for the diehard and general audiences alike. (It also didn't hurt that he made all three at once, relieving the pressure to please everyone and allowing Jackson to stay to his vision) Harry Potter was the first to jump on the franchise band wagon and they were successful because it's a franchise that's still fresh in our minds and also has a rabid (and young) fanbase. Disney wanted in on this franchise fantasy/adventure movie racket because it had been a reliable cash cow for New Line and Warners. But Narnia just doesn't have that kind of huge fanbase and the talking animals and Christian themes alienate the general audience. It also sounds like this was a movie series where decisions were made by committee and focus groups, dulling the edges and making the subject matter more palatable, annoying the diehards. The results are films that are too "out there" for the general audience and too "watered down" for the loyal fans. There's no way this series could achieve and sustain Lord's or Potter's box office over time. Feel sorry for fans of the series though.
No battles in Dawn Treader == hard sell to non fans by JasonPratt	Dec 24th, 2008 12:13:07 PM
All the other books can be feasibly made into climactic action epics because, though the action isn't always described in detail, each of them builds to a climactic action sequence. EXCEPT FOR DAWN TREADER! There's one place early in the story (and relatively near Narnia) where the crew has to fight briefly against a rebel duke who (kind of accidentally) sells Caspian and the other royalty into slavery. And one nice fight against a sea serpent around halfway through. No action scenes available after that, and no way to feasibly add some into the story.
The Problem With This as a Franchise... by Lost_Horizon	Dec 24th, 2008 12:25:16 PM
Is that 90% of the people who saw the first film had ONLY read THAT book, if any of them. I think it was crazy to expect Prince Caspian to do the same box office business as "Wardrobe". Especially when it's generally considered the worst of the seven books. Still, Disney made a very nice return on their investment, despite their bitching. I hope they find financing elsewhere, because I really wanted to see Apted's take on "Dawn Treader".
"So honey, what movie should we take the kids by BilboFett	Dec 24th, 2008 12:26:46 PM
and grandpa to see? Looks like we have Valkyrie? What's that about?" "oh some tom cruise drama about trying to kill Hitler". "Umm.. no, I don't think thats appropriate for the kids. I don't care much for Tom Cruise lately anyway". "ok, how about.. 7 pounds, will smith?" "oh the movie about dying and death and all that, no, let's pass". "Ok, the Jim Carrey movie?" "well, I heard parts of it are funny, but, he just hasn't been the same in years, and I heard there's a really raunchy scene that would embarass us or grandpa that I don't want the kids seeing" "ok, well, um... Bedtime Stories???" "what's that?" "Adam Sander has.." "um, no. That guys too stupid. Grandpa won't like it. The kids might, but, I just don't want to take the family to an Adam Sandler film for Christmas". "Ok, what else??" "Well, HOT DAMN! Prince Caspian the Narnia film!! YESS!!! LOAD UP THE KIDS IN THE CAR!!" -a scenario that should have happened. FUCK YOU DISNEY YOU STUPID FUCKS.
Statistics FAIL by SG7	Dec 24th, 2008 12:30:33 PM
A "trend" with two data points? LOL. Fucking Hollywood retards.
DANNYGLOVERS_DICKBLOOD by kwisatzhaderach	Dec 24th, 2008 12:35:54 PM
'Caspian rocked the house'? OK, now I get why you may not like Jim Cameron movies.
oh and one other thing... by emeraldboy	Dec 24th, 2008 12:39:01 PM
Walden media is run by an ultra conservative billionaire called Philip Anschutz. The following is a link to an article by bill berkovitz. http://www.mediatransparency.o rg/story.php?storyID=97
Caspian did nothing for me by MattmanReturns	Dec 24th, 2008 12:43:05 PM
Didn't hate it or love it. I know the source material wasn't as strong as Wardrobe, but the characters seemed a lot more bland this time around. They could have injected it with more life.
The real problem with the Golden Compass by drturing	Dec 24th, 2008 12:45:42 PM
is the edit. Editing is the most unique discipline in filmmaking, absolutely essential, and most film lovers never take the time to think of the pace and tempo of an edit (as opposed to different versions). The Golden Compass feels like a two part movie running four hours into an hour and a half. It's breathless, stacking exposition on top of detail on top of character and the music is always surging... In fact, the proof is in the polar bear sequences, where all of a sudden the film finds its appropriate groove. That's because the execs at New Line who were insanely sold on the polar bear were like "leave that as it is". Even knowing they trimmed off the twenty minute cliffhanging epilogue (which we still haven't seen) i believe there's got to be a fairly decent 3 hr cut of that film somewhere. Gassner's production design was fucking incredible - really beautiful art deco meets victorian gaslamp. And the casting was perfect, and moments really shine. But the part where Nicole Kidman spanks her monkey was hilarious and not as cool as it sounds here.
which reminds me... by drturing	Dec 24th, 2008 12:46:31 PM
i took a friend who didn't know the books at all to an early screening of the golden compass. he loves fantasy, and was utterly utterly confused.
Stupid thinking by Dreamwriter	Dec 24th, 2008 12:46:36 PM
Wow, that movie made us a buttload of money! This Narnia stuff is great, let's keep going. [one movie later] Hmm, we still made a ton of money on this movie, but it wasn't a buttload. Should we try and figure out why for the third? Naw, let's just cancel the third! We don't like money. Instead we'll do more direct-to-DVD crap! Who'se up for Tinkerbell 2?
Best moment in Lion Witch and Wardrobe movie by drturing	Dec 24th, 2008 12:49:52 PM
When the kids are all grown up acting borderline incestuous and one of the kids looks like the spitting image of Burger King. You know, the reason that first movie sorta worked... Tilda Swinton and James McAvoy. Again, charm, character, atmosphere. Caspian was lifeless and dead.
BilboFett = Jondough by Guy Who Got A Headache And Accidentally Saves The World	Dec 24th, 2008 12:53:23 PM
Forget this Narnia crap, best Jesus allegory is Cool Hand Luke anyway.
kwisatzhaderach by DANNYGLOVERS_DICKBLOOD	Dec 24th, 2008 12:55:06 PM
Yeah. I thought Caspian was great. Maybe not for a bunch of horny 40 year olds-- but its a kids movie. And as far as kids movies go, it kicked quite a bit of ass and I enjoyed the trees a lot more than the shitty Ents in Two Towers. The only thing I didn't really like is the way Aslan shows up all half ass feeling. For some reason they can't write his character for shit. Everything else is pretty solid.
Worst costume design ever in Lion Witch and Wardrobe by drturing	Dec 24th, 2008 12:55:28 PM
holy crap i wasn't just imagining it. look at half elf ranger hack director Andrew Adamson standing near far right Burger King of Narnia. Who the fuck approved that look? Is dude gonna carry the roar of Aslan or sell me a Whopper? http://www.diannaslacker.com/a dultpevensies.jpg
kwisatzhaderach -- and thanks for following me... by DANNYGLOVERS_DICKBLOOD	Dec 24th, 2008 12:55:51 PM
...to continue the Cameron discussion. But do remember I said I like The Abyss a lot. I don't 100% hate him.
YES!!!!!!!! by DarthJedi	Dec 24th, 2008 01:05:37 PM
Let the bells ring out! Let the horns blow! Disney finally does something worthwhile by burying this vehicle for the evil cult of christianity. The world will be a better place now.
Hah Hah, its their fault for a summer release by Stormwatcher	Dec 24th, 2008 01:09:53 PM
Their like Homer Simpson "4 minutes? But I'm hungry now!" They shoulda waited till now to release it considering how freaking dead the theatres are with like no family films. Stupid Disney. God their stupid.
This series was just gaining steam. by Steve Young	Dec 24th, 2008 01:27:37 PM
Caspian started slowly, but ultimately was better and darker than the first film. It's a shame they're not going to continue them.
I don't think its dead.... by DANNYGLOVERS_DICKBLOOD	Dec 24th, 2008 01:34:23 PM
...for some reason I see Warner Bros. picking this up.
What happened between the two films. . . by jimmay	Dec 24th, 2008 01:36:47 PM
The first one was an utterly forgettable and mediocre film. Its success, even more than a coat-tails interest in big screen fantasy stemming from Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings, was primarily a result of the evangelicals getting out the the ticket-vote in a big way. Disney marketed the film to them heavily, and they returned the favor in kind. With Caspian, Disney assumed they would already have the Christian market and pick up the casual moviegoers without having to try too hard for either. They were dreadfully wrong. It's a second rate series, woefully overshadowed by every other fantasy/scifi franchise out there, and deserves an ignoble, premature demise.
"every fantasy/scifi franchise" jimmay?... by FlickaPoo	Dec 24th, 2008 01:47:45 PM
...really? Big fan of ERAGON are you?
Narnia sucks anyway by BMacSmith	Dec 24th, 2008 01:47:51 PM
the books bored he shit out of me. still can't believe Caspian was PG though. definately a hard PG-13
Another studio would indeed be smart to... by crankyoldguy	Dec 24th, 2008 01:49:26 PM
snap it up, nail down same cast, etc and get it done. So it wasn't a mega-blockbuster - it made money and is doing so on DVD/Blu-Ray, too. And the Christian overtones are far less than the Mormon crap flinging underneath Twilight. As a secular Jew, Narnia films didn't bother me a whit. They weren't out and out great, but they were good. But it doesn't deserve and end. I can name numerous franchises that took bigger stumbles into crapdom and still kept going.
also, if another Studio came up with a winner... by crankyoldguy	Dec 24th, 2008 01:50:01 PM
it would be a great fuck you to Disney on this.
They were crap by lb	Dec 24th, 2008 01:56:18 PM
Sorry people got to face the fact that the movies were mediocre, at least Harry Potter is fun and entertaining.
Eragon isn't a franchise, is it? by jimmay	Dec 24th, 2008 01:56:18 PM
They've had one movie, one. Narnia's had two, with more potentially on the way if someone else picks it up.
And yes, Eragon was terrible. by jimmay	Dec 24th, 2008 01:58:38 PM
But I'd sooner rewatch the Matrix trilogy, which I didn't even like, then the Narnia films again.
...but it oh so desperately wanted to be... by FlickaPoo	Dec 24th, 2008 01:59:30 PM
...so, so desperately.
Guy Who Got A Headache And Accidentally Saves The World by BilboFett	Dec 24th, 2008 02:05:49 PM
I'm not Johndough, but thanks for ass King!
...and there are a bunch more of those ERAGON... by FlickaPoo	Dec 24th, 2008 02:08:31 PM
...books, so I'd say that it was created (I use the term loosely) as the first of a franchise. A franchise that was mercifully strangled and left to decompose in it's cradle...but a franchise nevertheless.
Golden Compass sucked, sorry by BilboFett	Dec 24th, 2008 02:10:17 PM
was boring, had no heart, had no percievable point, had no likeable characters, just felt like it was going through the motions. I've never read the books so I was going ONLY by what I saw in the film. I was in a place that kept playing it repeatedly over a few days so I got 2nd, 3rd, and 4th chances to revisit it and change my mind, and I watched it a few times in bits and pieces after seeing it all the way through and never changed my opinion. It was a failure in my book, along with most everyone elses, including those who count.
Headache dude by BilboFett	Dec 24th, 2008 02:11:36 PM
I've been coming here since 1999 when LOTR was first being reported. I am known in the chat room. I co-wrote a TTT review with yoda1 in 2002, still remembered to this day. I am NOT JohnDough. But you can call me Johnny Wad from the Boogie Nights era. I would proud of that.
I would proud of that by BilboFett	Dec 24th, 2008 02:12:42 PM
I would proud of it. Yes. Proud of it being I would.
Eragon??? by BilboFett	Dec 24th, 2008 02:14:41 PM
please don't tell me there's fans for it as well here. God that FUCKING sucked. It was absolutely insulting how derivative that movie is. I almost walked out. I didn't out of respect for my girlfriend's father who seemed to think it was pretty good. Sorry, he has shit taste. The movie should've gone straight to Scifi channel on a Saturday night. Even then I probably would've long-questioned whether to Tivo it or not. I probably would've started watching it and 20 mins in just deleted it and put on the Simpsons or something.
Guy Who Got A Headache And Accidentally Saves The World is by BilboFett	Dec 24th, 2008 02:16:39 PM
= Denise Milani, aka Scriptgirl, aka Chesty Larue, Tits McGee, Chestgirl, titsgirl, etc. We all know it to be true. Admit it, fess up, and tell us.
headache guy, I take it back by BilboFett	Dec 24th, 2008 02:19:06 PM
You're Erica Sullivan, and here's your facebook page: http://tinyurl.com/9rqvx3 and if you're not happy with that, I think you might be Vince from the Shamwow commercials. Anyone ever ask you to do a popeye impression? You've got that half-closed eye pirate thing down-pat.
...don't you worry your pretty little head about it Bilbo... by FlickaPoo	Dec 24th, 2008 02:22:37 PM
...I think everyone here is willing to either ignore Eragon or take a thick egg-noggy piss on it.
Prince Caspian was Great--Disney Blew it! by YAYBLUERAY	Dec 24th, 2008 02:35:50 PM
Prince Caspian was an awesome movie. It was Disney who blew it for releasing it in the early summer of May 2008. Narnia movies, like Harry Potter movies, have a spiritual quality to them and hence benefit from a Thanksgiving/Christmas release window. I hope Fox picks up DAWN TREADER as it is one of the best books in the series.And please keep the same cast and continuity!
anyone even care about the next Potter movie? by BilboFett	Dec 24th, 2008 02:37:40 PM
No one ever seems to bring it up in the TBs, pimping it, promoting it, asking questions, generating discussion. It just doesn't get mentioned much. Potter at all just gets mentioned when we discuss things like Narnia and LOTR. Oh. And Scriptgirl has tit cleavage I'd like to shove my vienna sausage into.
The next POTTER movie is as inevitable as... by FlickaPoo	Dec 24th, 2008 02:44:09 PM
...death, taxes, car trouble, and yeast infections...so why talk about about it? These things happen in life, but the less said about them the better.
Yes. I'm really looking forward to the next Potter film. by Imagikafan	Dec 24th, 2008 02:56:38 PM
It's my favorite book of the series.
"I co-wrote a TTT review, still remembered to this day." by DANNYGLOVERS_DICKBLOOD	Dec 24th, 2008 02:58:19 PM
Get a fucking life.
BilboFett -- you're obsessed with Script Girl.... by DANNYGLOVERS_DICKBLOOD	Dec 24th, 2008 03:01:18 PM
...its sad. Don't you have family, friends, gerbils to molest, a suicide hotline you can call? Fuck. I'm here stuck at work for another hour because I work for Adolf fucking Hitler....whats your excuse?
Potter 6 has had a few talkbacks by jimmay	Dec 24th, 2008 03:05:18 PM
devoted to trailers, casting, etc. The excitement in the franchise is certainly dying down, but I'll be there opening day nonetheless. By the by, the "fantasy movies need to be released in winter" argument for why Caspian failed is shaky at best. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix was released in July of 2007 and netted the second highest returns in the series' history, right behind the first. And speaking about the current Potter film, I initially criticized the studio for pushing it back from this holiday season, but look at tomorrow's bloated bottleneck release set: Benjamin Button, Valkyrie, Marley and Me, Bedtime Stories, the Spirit, even Frost/Nixon was supposed to go wide release Tomorrow, but it looks like there's no room at any of the cineplexes for it; this season already had a shit ton of releases stacked up as it is.
...whenever I congregate with one or more of my... by FlickaPoo	Dec 24th, 2008 03:06:50 PM
...friends to lovingly discuss TTT BilboFett's name is never far from my lips. Or my heart. I remember that review to this day.
I'll bet Jondough by Guy Who Got A Headache And Accidentally Saves The World	Dec 24th, 2008 03:37:25 PM
If it was anything like your review of The Spirit I believe you. They probably got it printed out and encased in bullet proof glass in the smithsonian and everything.
The scene in Eragon where Jeremy Irons.. by emeraldboy	Dec 24th, 2008 03:40:25 PM
Explains magic to eragon was so funny it made my piss my pants. no really. it did. Hilarious.
Eragon, Golden Compass, Narnia... by GavinVanDraven	Dec 24th, 2008 04:12:15 PM
we cant ALL be Lord of the Rings of Harry Potter can we??? sometimes... we have to be put in our place. the $5 movie basket at walmart. still, narnia may be able to get out of this debacle if Warn a Brudda picks it up. out of all of these only Eragon made me physically ill. star wars redux anyone? fuck that movie. fuck it in its ass with a chainsaw.
It all comes down to this: by Logan_1973	Dec 24th, 2008 04:17:01 PM
While Caspian seemed to lack the heart and magic of Lion, the real reason for the "failure" is the dumbass release date. It doesn't feel like a summer movie and they sandwhiched it between the two biggest draws of 2008 (after Knight). Why is it the entire world understands release dates better than the execs? Potter: Not summer. Narnia: Not summer. Come on, dickheads!
I agree Logan.... by DANNYGLOVERS_DICKBLOOD	Dec 24th, 2008 04:19:33 PM
...I think if it were released last week, its numbers would have been pretty much the same as Lion. I said the same shit "What the fuck?! Narnia is a fucking holiday movie!" And I said the same shit with the Potter push. I fucking hate Potter movies in the summer. Keep that shit in the fucking fall! FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK!! And with that, I'm fucking outta here.
dturing by Subtlety	Dec 24th, 2008 04:24:20 PM
I concur about the editing. The book is jam packed with plot points and characters that the movie is loathe to lose, but unlike the book rushes through their developement and just ends up kind of name-checking them. Still, you're right, by the last act they slowed down a little and actually let the scenario unfold a bit more naturally. Rock solid casting (generlly absent fron Narnia) and a far superior art design makes it a little easier to overlook the pace and exposition-heavy storytelling. I do kind of wonder if there is a longer version out there that might actually connect with people a bit more. Do you know if they ever actually shot the epilouge or extended footage from any of the book's episodes? I'm not sure they did. But if so, put it on DVD! Like "Kingdom of Heaven" it might actually be able to sink in the way the breathless, busy theatrical version never did.
Again, the release date argument doesn't work by jimmay	Dec 24th, 2008 04:29:11 PM
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, released in July, 2007, earned the second highest returns of the Potter series, just under the first. Now, you can argue that its release date in the Summer helped it fail (specifically competing with Iron Man and Indiana Jones), but releasing it in the Summer period, rather than the winter, isn't what hurt it. And if Caspian was released now it'd be competing with Bedtime Stories, the Spirit, Valkyrie, Marley and Me, the Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Seven Pounds, Tale of Desperaux, and the Day the Earth Stood Still. So tell yourself it was the release date that hurt Caspian all you want, but the argument is a thin one.
jimmay by Logan_1973	Dec 24th, 2008 04:45:59 PM
Yes, there is a crowded box office schedule with Button, Bedtime, Spirit, Earth...etc. But in the first two weeks or so of the month there wasn't shit! A nice early December release would have done well and salvaged the Narnia legacy.
DannyGlover's Dickhead works for Adolf Hitler? by I am the Terminator	Dec 24th, 2008 04:50:11 PM
What a pussified cunt rag.
Pity, Voyage of the Dawn Treader would be a by Amy Chasing	Dec 24th, 2008 05:02:18 PM
fantastic film! Exploration adventures on the high seas that really show up movies like that recent Journey to the Centre of the Earth for the crap they are. Prince Caspian is the politics and battles, Dawn Treader is the fun, and then Silver Chair is just bloody cool. At least that's how I remember it. Anyway, I hope Dawn Treader gets made proper someday.
DISNEY IS SMART, NARNIA MOVIES ARE SHIT by grievenom	Dec 24th, 2008 05:08:04 PM
I hated both of them. I totally respect Disney for pulling the plug.
Guy Who Got A Headache And Accidentally Saves The World is by BilboFett	Dec 24th, 2008 05:22:29 PM
JohnDough defended himself in that talkback as... JohnDough. I posted separately in that talkback as myself. I have not seen the Spirit, have no desire to see it, I've never read the comics, and I haven't been to a test screening since Ravenous in 1999. Erm, so, we're not the same person. But I am beginning to suspect that you and Scriptgirl are. Or you're the redheaded busted-tees chick. You just have to be. Because I seem to be jacking off and spurting all over my walls to all your posts as much as I do them.
Dickblood, sir by BilboFett	Dec 24th, 2008 05:23:40 PM
"still remembered to this day" is... remembered by me. :) eh... you should've gotten the joke. Oh well. I still can't quit you. You are my TB favorite next to that McxViii damn michael bay guy. Keep the dickblood coming. It's what Mr. Glover would want.
attn: flickapoo by BilboFett	Dec 24th, 2008 05:24:54 PM
I can't quit you
BilboFett -- I can't quit you either. by DANNYGLOVERS_DICKBLOOD	Dec 24th, 2008 05:44:27 PM
And I didn't get the joke cause I'm in a piss poor mood because of having to work till 4:30 on Christmas fucking Eve!! GOODNIGHT TO ALL!!
I think you might be onto something Prossor.... by DANNYGLOVERS_DICKBLOOD	Dec 24th, 2008 06:16:28 PM
....the stealing shit, kickin' ass, pimpin' bitches, and takin' names is the shit. It reminds me of the baddest fucking game of all time GOLDEN AXE. Give me a fucking adaption of that for Christmas! For me, that is the shit that gets old in LOTR, all the girly Fairy dream sequence bullshit. It does get boring. But you know what never loses its boner? Willow. They kept the whimsical to a minimum and focused on the practical ass kicking.
i liked them both by El Borak	Dec 24th, 2008 07:06:37 PM
and this is stupid. dawn treader is one of the best stories. how much money do they need?
Oh well...fuck you Disney! by pokadoo	Dec 24th, 2008 07:27:08 PM
Don't make films for the love of the art of cinema and storytelling or anything! I imagine the guys that decided this are same unfunny cunts who do those shitarded Orange adds, before the main feature at the cinema. Kill yourselves! No joke. You are suckers of satans cock! Merry Christmas from Scotland.
not surprised by droidonthemoon	Dec 24th, 2008 07:27:33 PM
as badly as they messed up the story, no wonder the numbers went down. how in the world did anyone think they could best Lewis? Asinine fatuity.
FiendishMilt37 by zacdilone	Dec 24th, 2008 07:34:37 PM
I see one post before yours that even brushes up against complaining about "watering down" the faith. You are obviously so intimidated by people of faith that you imagined a lot more Christian-themed responses in this Talkback. Seeing Christians in the drapes, are we? Behind every rock? Your post was hilarious...keep it up. Keep imagining things and then responding to them, because it's quite funny.
I could have seen this coming miles away. by The Reluctant Austinite	Dec 24th, 2008 07:35:25 PM
Disney made two boring, uninspired movies in a row that had already lost their audience. Everybody was willing to give them a second chance, but nobody would have shown up for the third film. Unfortuneatly, they cast a set of uninteresting kids in the leads. Compare the lead kid actors in this series to that of the Potter films. They don't have personalities; they're boring and lack charm and charisma. Disney was afriad they had another "Golden Compass" or "Eragon" on their hands with regards to another expensive entry in this series.
well by LegoKenobi	Dec 24th, 2008 08:03:37 PM
at least we got to see reepicheep a bit in this movie. sigh. dammit, i really liked BOTH movies so far, and i was definitely looking forward to "dawn treader". disney sucks -- take this franchise to another studio!
Golden Axe?...I was more of a Rastan man myself... by FlickaPoo	Dec 24th, 2008 08:19:31 PM
...Sega style. "...the happening this time was an ordeal for me..."
A Horse and His Boy will never be made, and by Grammaton Cleric Binks	Dec 24th, 2008 09:03:52 PM
nor will The Last Battle. Calormen, its people, and god Tash are symbolic of Muslims,Islam, and Allah. In today's PC world no studio would have the guts to make either for fear of offending anyone. I'd love to see The Magician's Nephew made. Tilda Swinton can come back, and we can have Liam Neeson do Aslan again.
Bad move by BurnHollywood	Dec 24th, 2008 09:21:52 PM
DAWN TREADER is the most entertaining book in the series. Done right, it could easily correct the flagging profit curve. I always thought PRINCE CASPIAN was the weakest book in the arc...a near-repeat of the first book with a far less engaging enemy. That the producers even briefly revived the White Witch character (didn't happen in the series) indicates they recognized this.
Bad move, Disney by SlickyVonBoner	Dec 24th, 2008 10:03:29 PM
I was more excited to sea the Dawn Treader than The Lion, Witch and Wardrobe. Figures now they're bailing on the franchise.
After what Walden did to "The Dark is Rising" by AnnoyYou	Dec 24th, 2008 10:26:06 PM
I'm glad Disney has backed off more Narnia films. Walden sucks - in their attempt to "Christianize" the first of Susan Cooper's great YA fantasy books, they completely excised all the pagan and Arthurian references and motifs and basically turned the film adaptation into a lame, bowdlerized faux-Potter clone. So let Fox pick up the next Narnia book and with Walden run it into the ground -- I mean, who needs more Christian propaganda after "Twilight?"
AnnoyYou by Subtlety	Dec 24th, 2008 10:53:21 PM
yup. Figures they'd downplay the Christianity in Narnia and force Christianity on Dark is Rising. Just goes to show that the suits have no idea whatsoever why people like fantasy. Thankfully, "Dark is Rising" would be easily filmable (and quite cheap, too!) for someone who wanted to do it right. Hopefully since "Seeker" tanked so very, very wrechedly, no one will remember it and someone can try to do it right as soon as Walden lets the rights go.
They woudn't have made your movie anyway by kesoze4	Dec 24th, 2008 10:53:29 PM
The damned book ends (spoilers) with them picking up a castaway off of an island full of nightmares and the guy begging for death with no afterlife. They then reach the end of the world and meet an angel, who grants the dude his wish -- an eternal dreamless sleep, which is more than most of you all deserve. The rest of the crew then heads off to hang with The Emperor (God) in the Lands Beyond The End of The World (Heaven), while the main characters sail back home because it's not their time. Yet. How the HELL was Disney going to film any of this? Especially without f@#%ing up every single angle of what made it brilliant (see Aslan's chat with Lucy when she's trying to spy on her friends). This is not a fun holiday movie for the family, it's a ponderance on the search for meaning in life and the life after life, and as such I'd rather they not cut it apart, insert meaningless "action" and CGI, and resell it as dreck.
Just like HP, this should never have been... by jimbojones123	Dec 24th, 2008 10:54:43 PM
a summer release.
kesoze4, wow by BilboFett	Dec 24th, 2008 11:21:51 PM
Dawn Treader sounds awesome. I'm gonna read it now. Thanks dude.
good by BurgerKing	Dec 25th, 2008 12:31:38 AM
the second movie sucked balls. and the first movie licked them
Two movies do not make a "trend" by moviemaniac-7	Dec 25th, 2008 12:31:53 AM
This is what happens if you jump on the fantasy wave after LOTR without thinking. Same with the His Dark Materials trilogy. Studios flocked to round up as much as fantasy material as they could get - waiting to rake in the cash. And they did. And now it's over and they are stuck with the leftovers. That is coward's way of Hollywood: copy success and let other people take the risk of trying some new stuff. But for Disney there are always the remakes and soulless sequels to churn out.
SHOULD HAVE STARTED WITH BOOK ONE by LT Weezie	Dec 25th, 2008 01:18:27 AM
Good Grief! Why oh why didn't they start the franchise the proper way--from the BEGINNING! There is enough material in each of the books to make fine films. All it takes is someone with the insight and foresight to put it all together!
Are you guys just now bitching about Disney fucking movies up? by ChuckImania	Dec 25th, 2008 02:56:13 AM
Look at all the awesome grim fairy tales they've intentionally raped with the intention of accommodating a broader audience for the quick buck. "We'll make the Quasimodo sing and dance, right after we're done putting massive tits on the little mermaid and morphing the story into this happy love will conquer all story. Yeah, I'm aware no one really wants to see the little mermaid die, but it's just one of the examples that prove Disney is infamous for changing stories up. I would have liked to see a way darker Chronicles series; make the sacrifice of the lion actually shine instead of making it look like a mere slap on the wrist; he is technically suppose to be Jesus and all. I wish I could remember the last time Disney did something that made me say "Wow, that's someting", but the fact of the matter is I can't. I haven't seen Walle yet, I hear it's amazing though, but I'm even suspicious of that because I'm tired of cgi being used as Disney's primary focus of storytelling now. Draw me some fucking cartoons, please, just one more pen to plastic cartoon.
preferably a dark wing duck movie... by ChuckImania	Dec 25th, 2008 02:57:52 AM

The Chronic What? Cals of Narnia by Xiphos_2	Dec 25th, 2008 05:39:04 AM
Lazy Sunday, wake up in the late afternoon. Call Parnell just to see how he’s doing. Hello? What up, Parns? Yo Samberg, what’s crackin? You thinking what I’m thinkin? Narnia! Man, it’s happenin! But first my hunger pains are stickin like duct tape. Let’s hit up Magnolia and mack on some cupcakes. No doubt that bakery’s got all da bomb frostings. I love those cupcakes like McAdams loves Gosling. Two! No six! No Twelve! Bakers Dozen! I told you that I’m crazy for these cupcakes, cousin. Yo, where’s the movie playin? Upper west side, dude. Well, let’s hit up Yahoo Maps to find the dopest route. I prefer Map Quest. That’s a good one, too. Google Maps is the best. True that. Double True! 68th and Broadway. Step on it, sucka. What you wanna do, Chris? Snack Attack mutha @$!#@! It’s the Chronic - What?..cles of Narnia! Yes, the Chronic - What?..cles of Narnia! We love that Chronic - What?..cles of Narnia! Pass that Chronic (what?)..cles of Narnia! Yo, stop at the deli. The theater’s over-priced. You’ve got the backpack? Gonna pack it up nice. Don’t want security to get suspicious. Mr. Pibb and Red Vines equals Crazy Delicious! I’ll reach in my pocket, pull out some dough. Girl acting like she never seen a $10 before. It’s all about the Hamiltons baby. Throw the snacks in a bag and I’m ghost like Swayze. Roll up to the theater. Ticket buying, what we’re handlin. You can call us Aaron Burr. From the way we’re droppin’ Hamiltons. Now parked in our seats. Movie trivias the illest. Which Friends alum starred in films with Bruce Willis? We answered so fast it was scary. Everyone stared in awe when we screamed Matthew Perry. Now quiet in the theater or it’s gonna get tragic. We’re bout to get taken to a dream world of magic In the Chronic - What?..cles of Narnia! Yes, the Chronic -What?..cles of Narnia! We love that Chronic -What?..cles of Narnia! Pass that Chronic -What?..cles of Narnia!
Fox really needs to get their act together by Anna Valerious	Dec 25th, 2008 06:53:51 AM
Because- 1. Fantasy films AREN'T under 2 hours. If you look at the deleted scenes in "Eragon", they made a mistake by leaving them out because they thought no one would sit for 2 hours or more. Sorry, but you can't cram 700 pages into that small enough of time, and you needed to realize that cutting out Katrina and the blessing in the Varden was a mistake. (Why make Roran look like a draft dodger when he really elopes with the girl that got Eragon off the hook with her dad?!) The Gameboy Advance game is closer to the book. 2. I liked "The Seeker", and if you wanted something closer to the book, bug BBC about it. Because the book was too dull to be a feature film. 3. I want more of Mitothin and Murtagh, dammit.
Oh, BTW... by Anna Valerious	Dec 25th, 2008 06:54:40 AM

Oh, BTW... by Anna Valerious	Dec 25th, 2008 06:54:42 AM

Damn enter button.,.. by Anna Valerious	Dec 25th, 2008 06:59:36 AM
I liked cosplaying from those two- Durza- http://tinyurl.com/8txbpn Arya- http://tinyurl.com/a49k7e Mitothin- http://tinyurl.com/9gguz7 And I'm planning to do Murtagh next for the Bristol Ren Faire.
LT Weezie by Subtlety	Dec 25th, 2008 11:35:01 AM
The books were originally published with "Lion..." first, and "Magichian's Nephew" sixth in the series. It's only recently they've been reordered to flow more chronologically. Personally, I think it's foolish to do so; "Lion, Witch..." is a much better introduction to the world and book six is just about the right place for a prequel to give some background. Anyway, I think "Lion" is still widely the most read book in the series because of its original status as the first book. And it could have been a decent movie, too. Could have.
The series starts with Lion... by kesoze4	Dec 25th, 2008 11:42:46 AM
Magician's Nephew was written as a prequel and works better as such. Make them in the order they were written.
My take is that it's a casualty of the... by Lobanhaki	Dec 25th, 2008 12:44:07 PM
...credit crisis currently going on. Essentially, they could stand a big budget movie like this taking its time to recoup before, but now, they either have to cut down on the budget or aim for an asskicking blockbuster, because they don't have as much ability to take the debt of a slow-budget recoup movie off the books.
All studios will be affected by the credit crisis... by emeraldboy	Dec 26th, 2008 12:10:20 PM
You wont be hearing from bay bashers on this site for quite a while. or the hollywood haters...
I think what hollywood will do is.. by emeraldboy	Dec 26th, 2008 12:12:10 PM
it will restablish B movie studios.
If you saw Martys Scorceses Cinema a personal journey... by emeraldboy	Dec 26th, 2008 12:29:58 PM
He recalls that the movies of his youth were Musicals and more Social Drama and crime movies. I think we may get more social dramas and crime movies. Who knows.
Just saw Caspian by Pissed Off And Bitter	Dec 26th, 2008 02:45:46 PM
That movie rocked!! The action was much more visceral and the whole time me and my girlfriend were like "This is a kids's movie?" because of the violence and seeing a lot of the animals die. Oh yeah and Willow goes bad in the movie too. All in all I think it was an improvement over Wardrobe which had a lot of kid-friendly moments and Santa Claus presenting weapons of death as presents to the children (WTF?). This movie is a lot darker and the action scenes are awesome, especially the battle between Peter and Miraz.
Pissed off by Subtlety	Dec 26th, 2008 05:05:41 PM
Evidently you never read the books. If you want action, why not just watch "Punisher: War Zone" and not try to shoehorn action into a children's fantasy series?
There will be a 3rd "Narnia" movie by darthvedder81	Dec 26th, 2008 06:12:55 PM
I have a hard time believing someone won't pick up TREADER. Hollywood is desperate for ideas and the fallout out from LOTR is still too strong for a story this universally popular not to get made. Hell it might be better now that Disney has axed it. I was never really comfortable with that combo (Disney/Narnia) anyway. I'm sure the Disney execs were afraid since the rest of the Narnia tales get more allegorical and fantastic and less action packed. I know it wasn't as huge as LWW but was Caspian that big of a bomb? Releasing it a 2 weeks after Iron Man and a week before Indy 4 didn't help matters. They should've just waited until now to release it and made 250+ mil easy. The holiday movie selection this year is crap.
Dawn Treader COULD feature battles! by performingmonkey	Dec 26th, 2008 08:49:18 PM
Near the beginning when they retake the Lone Islands for Narnia there could easily be a big fight there. However, I bet Disney DID just look at the script and turned it down. The Silver Chair would probably more enticing for them.
GOOD! by beatleMatt	Dec 27th, 2008 07:07:40 AM
A sub-par series of book, made into sub-par fantasy films, by a creatively sub-par company.

Talkbacks

Disney Won't VOYAGE On The DAWN TREADER!! Will There Even Be A Third NARNIA Film Now??

User login

Quick Talkback

Talkbacks