'Narnia 4' Movie in Development: 'The Silver Chair' Next in C.S. Lewis Series
Fans of fantasy series The Chronicles of Narnia are finally going to get to see the next installment in the film adaptations, as the C.S. Lewis Company announced earlier this week that "The Silver Chair" is in development.
"Like many readers, both young and old, I am a huge fan of C.S. Lewis's beautiful and allegorical world of Narnia. These fantasy stories inspire real-world passion among millions of devoted fans around the world. As we prepare to bring the next book to life, we are humbled and excited to contribute to the outstanding legacy of Narnia," announced Mark Gordon, whose company will jointly develop and produce "The Silver Chair" along with the C.S. Lewis Company.
The first three "Narnia" films achieved great commercial success and grossed over $1.6 billion at the worldwide box office, but plans for a forth movie were put in limbo after Walden Media lost the rights to the series.
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Douglas Gresham, the stepson of C. S. Lewis, confirmed back in October 2011 that the contract has expired, which meant that production of further "Narnia" movies was put on hold.
"But it is my hope that the Lord will spare me and keep me fit and healthy enough so that in three or four years time we can start production on the next one," Gresham had said.
In light of the positive news, Gresham now stated that he has a "great deal of respect" for Gordon's work, and expressed his confidence that "together we can bring the beauty and magical delight that Narnia engenders in the hearts of those who read the books to the screen in 'The Silver Chair.'"
Gordon has served as a producer for a number of big Hollywood movies, including "Saving Private Ryan," and has been an execute producer on hit TV shows such as "Grey's Anatomy," and "Criminal Minds."
"We are very excited by this partnership and to be able to work on this movie from its earliest conception on such a collaborative basis. It gives us the opportunity to develop a script and then produce a film with some of the most talented industry professionals whilst remaining completely faithful to this much loved book," added Vincent Sieber, the LA-based director of The C.S. Lewis Company.
Since The Silver Chair book takes place 50 years after the events of The Voyage of the Dawn Trader and does not include the Pevensie children characters, the franchise will be able to continue with a new cast – though a start date for production has yet to be announced.
