Third Narnia Movie Starts Shooting in Queensland

JULY 31, 2009 - 20th Century Fox has announced that they have begun principal photography on The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader on location in Queensland, Australia, on July 27.

'The Voyage of the Dawn Treader' is the third in the series of films based on the bestselling books by C.S. Lewis. The production, a joint venture between Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation and Walden Media, continues the franchise which commenced with The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and its 2008 follow-up, Prince Caspian, whose combined global box-office gross topped US$1.2 billion (about RM4 billion).

Michael Apted (who helmed the 007 epic The World Is Not Enough, Gorillas in the Mist, and Coal Miner's Daughter) is directing the new Narnia venture, taking over from Andrew Adamson. Returning as the Pevensie children are Georgie Henley as Lucy and Skandar Keynes as Edmund. Ben Barnes reprises the role of Caspian. Cousin Eustace will be played by Will Poulter (Son of Rambow”).

The supporting cast includes several veterans of the Aussie film world, including Gary Sweet (Stingers), Bruce Spence (Road Warrior), Arthur Angel (Ghost Rider) and Kiwi native Shane Rangi, back for his third go-round in Lewis’ fantastical world (donning the guise of a Minotaur, as he did in the two previous films). Lending his vocal talents again to the project is Liam Neeson (Schindler’s List) as the all-powerful ruler of Narnia, Aslan the Lion (above).

The Story: Edmund and Lucy Pevensie, along with their pesky cousin Eustace Scrubb - find themselves swallowed into a painting and on to a fantastic Narnian ship headed for the very edges of the world. Joining forces once again with their royal friend Prince Caspian and the warrior mouse Reepicheep, they are whisked away on a mysterious mission to the Lone Islands, and beyond.

On this bewitching voyage that will test their hearts and spirits, the trio will face magical Dufflepuds, sinister slave traders, roaring dragons and enchanted merfolk. Only an entirely uncharted journey to Aslan's Country - a voyage of destiny and transformation for each of those aboard the Dawn Treader - can save Narnia, and all the astonishing creatures in it, from an unfathomable fate.

The movie production will take place entirely in Queensland, primarily at the Warner Roadshow Studio facility in Gold Coast, which houses the Southern Hemisphere’s largest water tank facility, crucial to the production’s needs. Filming will conclude in November, 2009, with a year-long post-production schedule leading to the film’s global release in December 2010.