"VDT" to start filming in January

Apted on voyage with third 'Narnia'
By Carolyn Giardina and Borys Kit

June 20, 2007

Michael Apted has signed on to direct Walt Disney Pictures/Walden Media's "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader."

This is the third installment in the series that includes the 2005 film "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," and the upcoming 2008 release of "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian." "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" will begin filming in January and it is set for a May 1, 2009, release date.

Among the cast members who will reprise their "Narnia" roles are Ben Barnes, Georgie Henley and Skandar Keynes.

Mark Johnson returns once again as producer. Andrew Adamson, who directed the first two films in the series, will continue his involvement by also serving as a producer on the project.

"We're thrilled that (Apted) will be directing 'The Voyage of the Dawn Treader' and feel that he brings his own unique sensibilities, filmmaking experience, and vision to the project," said Oren Aviv, president of production for Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. "This latest 'Narnia' adventure will take people to an entirely different side of Narnia that no one has ever seen before, and is filled with lots of action, adventure, magic and wonder. We think moviegoers are going to be thrilled with this all-new installment."


Walden Media CEO Cary Granat added, "Michael Apted's extraordinary body of work has prepared him to tackle this enormously exciting adventure. We just had a wonderful experience working with him on 'Amazing Grace,' and we are confident that Michael will deliver a terrific film."

Apted's credits include "The World Is Not Enough," "Gorky Park," "Gorillas in the Mist" and "Coal Miner's Daughter," as well as his most recent film "Amazing Grace" (for Walden Media's sister company Bristol Bay Prods.) and the first three episodes of the HBO dramatic series "Rome."

He is represented by CAA and Alan Hergott, as well as Anthony Jones of Peters Fraser & Dunlop in London.

Dawn Treader's Release date: May 1, 2009

Movie Updates: 'Narnia' Production and 'Watchmen' Casting
By Melissa Wilson
Published 06/9/2007
Movies Rating: Unrated

Narnia Films to Go One After the Other Every Year
Disney will be doubling up on the Narnia films to get them out, and Gerard Butler may not be out of "Watchmen." According to IGN, Disney has already set a release date for "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" -- May 1, 2009 -- which is just under a year after the May 19, 2008 release of Prince Caspian. To achieve this, The Mouse is keeping the casts the same but having different production teams working on each. If it works, expect to see "The Silver Chair" come May 2010.(Buy your tickets early and save!)

"VDT" gets change in crew

New Crew for Dawn Treader

We already know that The Voyage of the Dawn Treader will have a new director, Michael Apted, and according to IMDB there are some more Narnia crew changes in store. Jan Roelfs will be taking over as production designer from Roger Ford (who has worked on The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe as well as Prince Caspian). Roelfs has previously designed the look of such films as Orlando, Gattaca, Little Women, and Alexander, as well as receiving two Academy Award nominations.And Emmy-nominated Nina Gold will be handling the casting. She has recently cast such films as Amazing Grace and The Illusionist, as well as the television series Rome (some episodes of which Apted directed). As we have previously reported, casting calls for Dawn Treader have already begun.