Disney won't take VOYAGE with the DAWN TREADER
Catching up on a few significant stories that hit the web this week during my time off, one of the biggest probably being Disney's decision to pull out from co-financing the next CHRONICLES OF NARNIA movie... THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER. In an economically dire time, Disney confirmed this week that although PRINCE CASPIAN made $141 million in the U.S. and another $278 million worldwide this year, it wasn't the $292 million domestic or $453 million internationally that THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE earned in 2005. And not enough for Disney to continue c0-financing a $200 million picture with Walden Media. The Hollywood Reporter suggest that the third movie is in big doubt now with studio's maybe not desperate to help Walden Media out, especially when 12 months ago THE GOLDEN COMPASS bombed and killed New Line Cinema. The spring start date has got to be on hold indefinitely, as has the May 2010 release date and the participation of new director Michael Apted and the talent involvement of Ben Barnes and the young actors from the original film. Would Walden Media take the huge risk of financing a $200 million blockbuster solo, especially when the franchise lost a lot of it's original audience from the first movie? Is it a case that the third film is so close to happening, they are using their hearts to go ahead with the franchise and not their heads?