The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
ACCLAIMED FILMMAKER MICHAEL APTED SET TO DIRECT "THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER;" THIRD INSTALLMENT IN DISNEY/WALDEN MEDIA’S
EPIC FILM SERIES FOR MAY 1, 2009 RELEASE
Acclaimed filmmaker Michael Apted has signed on to direct Walt Disney Pictures/Walden Media’s "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader," it was announced today by Oren Aviv, president of production for Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, and Cary Granat, Walden Media CEO. This third installment in the epic film series that includes the 2005 worldwide blockbuster, "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe," and the upcoming 2008 release of "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian," will begin filming in January 2008 and it is set for a May 1, 2009 release date. Among the cast members set to reprise their roles in "The Voyage of Dawn Treader" are Ben Barnes (who stars in the title role of Prince Caspian), Georgie Henley (Lucy) and Skandar Keynes (Edmund).
Apted’s directing credits include "The World is Not Enough," "Gorky Park," "Gorillas in the Mist," and "Coal Miner’s Daughter" (a seven-time Oscar® nominee), as well as his most recent film "Amazing Grace" (for Walden Media’s sister company Bristol Bay Productions), the first three episodes of the HBO dramatic series, "Rome," and the latest installment in his landmark documentary, "49 Up."
Commenting on the announcement, Aviv said, "Michael Apted is one of the most versatile and talented filmmakers working today, and he has proven himself to be a fantastic storyteller in a variety of genres. We’re thrilled that he will be directing ‘The Voyage of the Dawn Treader’ and feel that he brings his own unique sensibilities, filmmaking experience, and vision to the project. This latest ‘Narnia" adventure will take people to an entirely different side of Narnia that no one has ever seen before, and is filled with lots of action, adventure, magic and wonder. We think moviegoers are going to be thrilled with this all-new installment."
Granat added, "Michael Apted’s extraordinary body of work has prepared him to tackle this enormously exciting adventure. We just had a wonderful experience working with him on ‘Amazing Grace,’ and we are confident that Michael will deliver a terrific film."
Academy Award®-winner Mark Johnson ("Rain Man," "Bugsy," "The Notebook") returns once again as producer. Andrew Adamson, who directed the first two films in the series, will continue his involvement with "Narnia" by also serving as a producer on the project. Johnson notes, "We are lucky to have Michael on board this next film and look forward to his distinctly imaginative version of the next chapter in the Chronicles of Narnia."
Apted’s prolific career includes a wide variety of television, feature film, and documentary projects. He made his feature film directing debut in 1972 with "The Triple Echo," starring Oliver Reed and Glenda Jackson, and has gone on to helm such diverse films as "Agatha," "Coal Miner’s Daughter," "Gorky Park," "Gorillas in the Mist," "Class Action," "Incident at Oglala," "Blink," "Nell," "Extreme Measures," "The World is Not Enough," "Enigma," "Enough," and "Amazing Grace." The 2005 release of his documentary "49 Up," represented the seventh installment in his landmark series that began in 1964 and which revisits the lives of fourteen subjects every seven years. For television, Apted recently directed the first three episodes of HBO’s popular series, "Rome." His other credits include "Coronation Street," "The Lovers," and "The Collection," among others. His career achievements include several British Academy Awards.
Apted is currently President of the Directors Guild of America and is a Governor of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences. He is represented by CAA and Anthony Jones of Peters Fraser & Dunlop in London. Apted's attorney is Alan Hergott.
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