Dear Walden Media and the Lewis Estate,
Narnia fans everywhere have been wondering if the franchise’s future were dead, with many giving up hope. Yet after a months-long news drought, on Saturday NarniaFans reported that respected American journalist Larry Richman tweeted, “The Magician’s Nephew is in development & The Silver Chair is in script stage.” He said his sources were Walden for MN (2014?) and the Estate for SC (2015?). However, I read in many forum posts on NarniaWeb (here, here, here, here, and here) that Walden has lost all rights to the franchise and that no Narnia films are in the works. Which story is true? Whom do I believe? I don’t know but I’m thoroughly confused. So I want an official press release from one or both of you!
The long news drought and conflicting information about the current state of the franchise make me wonder if each of you has a radically different vision for interpreting Lewis’s remaining Narnia books on screen. I thought The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (LWW) was the most beautiful film, while Prince Caspian (PC) was the best adaptation. However, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (VDT) was neither a good film nor a good adaptation.
To understand what’s transpired in Narnia, let’s examine the successful fantasy film franchises competing for Narnia movie dollars: Harry Potter and Twilight. What do they have that Narnia doesn’t? Why are they succeeding while Narnia is failing?
Harry Potter – J. K. Rowling
I haven’t read a single book or watched a single movie in the Harry Potter series. Yet from what I know about the books and films, plus what I’ve seen on Tumblr, it’s becoming clear to me why this franchise is succeeding. It’s not about magic. That’s not the draw. Magic is just a tool in the hands of Harry and his friends. They use that tool to try to save the world from Voldemort. Harry is essentially a Christ figure. In the last book and film, just like Christ he even rises from the dead!
The draw of Harry Potter: People are desperate for someone to save them from personal, social, financial, and global problems. They think they’ve found that salvation in Harry Potter.
Twilight – Stephanie Meyer
I’ve read one book in the Twilight series: Breaking Dawn. I’ve even watched some of the trailers for this film, coming to theaters in November. So why is this franchise succeeding? It doesn’t really have a savior figure, unless you count Bella’s vampire powers against the Volturi. No, what fans love about Twilight is the relationship between Edward Cullen and Bella Swan. Edward is the man every girl wants! And they dream about being beautiful and loved like Bella. Like Harry Potter, Edward is also a Christ figure — the bridegroom. In the final book and movie, this chaste lover saves himself for and marries Bella. After she becomes a vampire, their love lasts forever because they’ll never die.
The draw of Twilight: People are desperate for unconditional (romantic) love that lasts a lifetime. They think they’ve found that love in the marriage of Edward and Bella.
Chronicles of Narnia – C. S. Lewis
Does Narnia have a savior? Yes — Aslan the lion. In LWW, just like Jesus Christ Aslan dies for Edmund and all Narnia when he sacrifices himself on the Stone table. The next morning, he rises from the dead. It’s “deeper magic from before the dawn of time.” Like Harry Potter, Aslan uses magic for a greater purpose: saving his people from the White Witch and Narnia from ultimate destruction.
Does Narnia have a lover? Not quite. Aslan doesn’t marry the people whom he calls into Narnia and puts on the throne. Yet Narnia’s citizens, both human and animal, are expected to love and serve Aslan with their whole hearts — just as the Lion freely loves and serves them. Lucy Pevensie and Reepicheep best embody this truth in their relationship with Aslan.
As God, giver, lover, savior, and guide Aslan is the main character of the Narnia books. Just like Jesus Christ in our spiritual lives, he isn’t always front and center. Aslan frequently works behind the scenes. But he’s still the main character. I thought the book and movie adaptation of Prince Caspian best illustrated this truth (even though some disagree). Read my movie review here.
Still, Aslan is generally not the main character of the Narnia films, certainly not of VDT. And it is here, Walden and the Estate (and Disney and Fox?), where you are failing.
In an interview with The Christian Post earlier this year, Walden President Micheal Flaherty said he wanted to return to the magic of LWW. He thought the main draw of the books and movies — the box office magic he was expecting to find in a future adaptation of The Magician’s Nephew — could be found in references to LWW: the Pevensies … or the lamppost and wardrobe … or the White Witch (Jadis). My answer: wrong … wrong … wrong. I’m beginning to think Flaherty doesn’t know what the books are about! But if he doesn’t understand the books, how can he adapt them for the screen?
Yet wrongly thinking Tilda Swinton as the White Witch is a good box office draw may be why Walden made her reappear in PC and VDT. Jadis’s cameo made sense in PC. I liked it. But by VDT her cameo was just ridiculous and painful. “Ding dong, the witch is dead.” She shouldn’t return, not even in Edmund’s mind! Aslan and C. S. Lewis didn’t torture Edmund about his dark, sinful past in the later books. So why did the production do this through a few Jadis cameos in VDT? It’s just wrong.
The draw of Narnia (the books): Aslan gives his people the free salvation and love they need. Aslan — not the Pevensies. Jesus Christ — not Harry Potter or Edward Cullen.
If the Narnia franchise continues, will you introduce moviegoers to Aslan’s “other name” — Jesus Christ? Or will you continue to miss the point, alienating Narnia fans and lovers of Aslan?
Sincerely,
A deeply concerned Narnia fan