I had the opportunity to attend the Biola Media Conference this Saturday and preview the teaser trailer (only 90% complete) for the movie. It looks amazing. After the showing, we were able to ask questions of executives from Disney. Here are some things I learned:
[Untrue Brian Cox will not be playing the voice of Aslan. He had been cast, but then lost weight and his voice changed.
Retraction: According to Mr. Cox’s publicist, “what was said at the conference is categorically false. Brian left the production because of scheduling conflicts.
He is currently filming Running With Scissors, which is live action, and his weight loss is certainly not affecting that production–and he is on camera. His voice is exactly the same as it was a year ago.”
Thanks to Mr. Cox’s publicist for the update.
Actors who have auditioned for the voice of Aslan include Gerard Butler, Timothy Dalton, Sean Bean, and Ralph Fiennes. Possibly also Ian McKellan. So far, Andrew Adamsom has not approved a voice.
The voice casters have decided to go for a younger voice for Aslan than originally thought.
The movie will reportedly be faithful to the book, largely due to the influence of Douglas Gresham, Lewis’ stepson. According to Rick Dempsey, “We cannot sneeze without Doug giving us permission.”
There will likely be a song with lyrics in the end credits, as in the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
In addition to the soundtrack CD, there will likely be a CD of music inspired by the movie.
If the first movie does well, it is likely that Prince Caspian, Dawn Treader, and The Silver Chair will be made as well. The others, particularly The Horse and His Boy, are less certain, unless the franchise does very well, because they would be harder to adapt for the screen. But I spoke to Rick Dempsey and he said he had recently looked at The Horse and His Boy again and thought it could be made.
The teaser trailer will be released on May 7th.
The trailer will accompany Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (almost certain).
The movie will likely be rated PG or PG-13.
Battle scenes will reportedly be less graphic than those in the Lord of the Rings.