For the book, see The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is a 2010 fantasy film based on The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, the third published novel in C.S. Lewis's fantasy series, The Chronicles of Narnia. It is the third in The Chronicles of Narnia film series from Walden Media, following The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. This marks the first Narnia film not to be distributed by Walt Disney Pictures, both The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and Prince Caspian were under the Disney banner. Instead, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader will be distributed by 20th Century Fox.

The two younger Pevensies, Edmund (Skandar Keynes) and Lucy (Georgie Henley), are staying with their cousin Eustace Scrubb (Will Poulter). They find themselves drawn into a painting of an old ship, where they join the new King Caspian (Ben Barnes).

The film will be released theatrically in Australia on December 9, 2010 and in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom on December 10, 2010.

Plot

In the enchanted land of Narnia, Edmund (Skandar Keynes) and Lucy (Georgie Henley), along with their cousin Eustace Clarence Scrubb (Will Poulter), join King Caspian (Ben Barnes) on a sworn mission to find the seven lost Lords of Narnia. The new and dangerous quest takes them to the farthest edge of the Eastern world on board the mighty Dawn Treader. Sailing uncharted seas, the old friends must survive a terrible storm, encounters with sea serpents, dragons, and invisible enemies to reach lands where magicians weave mysterious spells and nightmares come true.

Cast

• Skandar Keynes as Edmund Pevensie
• Georgie Henley as Lucy Pevensie
• Will Poulter as Eustace Scrubb
• Ben Barnes as King Caspian
• Liam Neeson as the voice of Aslan
• Eddie Izzard as the voice of Reepicheep
• Gary Sweet as Lord Drinian
• Arthur Angel as Rhince
• Tony Nixon as Rynelf
• Bruce Spence as Lord Rhoop
• Terry Norris as Lord Bern
• David Vallon as Governor Gumpas
• Colin Moody as Pug
• Bille Brown as Coriakin
• Roy Billing as Chief Dufflepud
• Laura Brent as Ramandu's Daughter
• Shane Rangi as Tavros the Minotaur

Production

Michael Apted took over as the film's director from Andrew Adamson, who opted to produce with Mark Johnson, Perry Moore and Douglas Gresham. Steven Knight wrote the script following a draft by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely. Richard Taylor, Isis Mussenden and Howard Berger continue their roles working on the production design and practical effects, while visual effects supervisor Jim Rygiel, composer David Arnold and cinematographer Dante Spinotti are those joining the series. The film is now in production and will be released on December 10, 2010 in the United States and United Kingdom.

When Apted signed on to direct The Voyage of the Dawn Treader in June 2007, filming was set to begin in January 2008 for a May 1, 2009 release date. Shooting would have begun in Malta, and then moved to Prague and Iceland. A few months later, Disney announced that "in consideration of the challenging schedules for [its] young actors", they were delaying the release date to May 7, 2010, and filming was moved to October 2008. Johnson rescheduled the shoot to Playas de Rosarito, Baja California(Mexico), where two-thirds of the film would be shot at the water tank that was used for Titanic and Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World. Filming was also scheduled for Australia. Disney and Walden eventually grew concerned over Mexico's safety, and Australian officials at Warner Roadshow Studios in Queensland offered to become the project's base for the whole shoot.

It was announced in January 2009 that 20th Century Fox would replace Walt Disney Pictures as distributor. Disney and Walden disputed over the budget after Prince Caspian grossed far less than The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe; Disney wanted to limit it to $100 million, whereas Walden wanted a $140 million budget, for which Disney would only need to provide half. In December 2008, Disney opted not to produce the film because they feared the budget would only grow during filming and post-production. The Los Angeles Times also reported "creative differences" led to the split. Times columnist Mary McNamara further notes leaving the series could have been a mistake, because Voyage is the most popular Narnia book, while Caspian was the series' least popular and did not create the anticipation surrounding the first film. Fox had pursued the Narnia film rights in 2001 and distributed various other Walden projects. Michael Petroni was hired to rewrite the script, following a draft by Richard LaGravenese.

Ernie Malik, unit publicist for the film, confirmed that filming began on July 27, 2009 on location in Queensland, Australia. Filming took place at Warner Roadshow Studios in August and September 2009, with filming of exterior shots on board the ship at Cleveland Point in September 2009.

Filming wrapped up on November 21, 2009, and post-production began on November 30.

References

External links

• Photographs of the Dawn Treader at the Cleveland Point, Queensland set