In 2005, author C.S. Lewis popular epic book series The Chronicles of Narnia was brought to the big screen for the first time with an adaptation of the first book in the series The Chronicles of Narnia: the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. The film tells the story of four children who are sent away to live with distant relatives in a mansion in order to stay safe during the turmoil of World War 2.
While staying at the mansion, they discover a wardrobe which is actually a doorway to a fantasy world called Narnia which is inhabited by all manners of imaginable creatures. In Narnia, they found the world enslaved and tormented by the evil White Queen who is at war with the lion Aslan, who seeks to free Narnia from her oppression.
The film was wildly successful among children and adults and before the film was even released, writing for the sequel had begun in order to film before the actors had gotten too old for their roles.
The new film is an adaptation of the second book in the series Prince Caspian. According to the official synopsis One year has passed in our world since the first adventure ended, but in Narnia, almost 1,300 years have passed, and now it is time for the Pevensie children to return and make history.
The villainous King Miraz prevents the rightful king, his young nephew Prince Caspian, from ruling the land of Narnia. Caspian uses Susan's magic horn that was left in Narnia to summon the four Pevensies to help him and a small army of Old Narnians reclaim his rightful throne.
The film is set to feature the return of Liam Neeson as the voice of the lion Aslan and has several newcomers as well. English actor Ben Barnes is to portray Prince Caspian. He won the role two weeks after meeting with producers.
Production of the film took place in New Zealand and various places in Eastern Europe. It should be noted that the film aims to have a darker tone than the previous film to emphasize the passing of time. The Narnians are even set to have a more earthy and natural appearance than in the previous film as a way of giving a sense of culture to them, in a manner similar to the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Prince Caspian is set to open May 16, 2008.