Talking Beasts: The Narnia Podcast: Recent Episodes
Narnia Web
In this episode, the podcasters list their favorite characters that only appear in one or two chapters in C.S. Lewis’s Narnia books. These characters stand out in our memories despite only appearing briefly.
Who did we miss? Listen to the discussion and then post your favorites below!
Rilian, GlumpuddleThe post Top 10 Cameo Characters in the Chronicles of Narnia | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
NarniaWebbers will have to wait another few months to see Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew. The movie adaptation from Greta Gerwig has been delayed to February 10, 2027 and will no longer be an IMAX exclusive.
The same press release also included a subtle casting announcement. Who will Ciarán Hinds be playing and does it suggest The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe will be set in roughly present day?
Netflix also shipped NarniaWeb a box of items to commemorate The Magician’s Nephew‘s 71st anniversary. It includes a keepsake suggesting the silver apple and a famous line will be in the movie, and also a note “from the desk of Greta Gerwig” on the impact of the book.
Listen to the podcasters’ reactions and post your own below!
The post Release Date Shakeup and Silver Apple Sighting | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
Narnia’s return to the big screen comes in less than 8 months, but remains largely shrouded in mystery. Writer/Director Greta Gerwig recently broke her 2-year silence by acknowledging that her upcoming adaptation of The Magician’s Nephew remains “under wraps.”
Only small scraps of information has leaked the past year, but much of it has left fans puzzled. Will the first trailer (whenever it comes) offer some clarity about what to expect? Listen to our discussion and then post a comment below!
Podcasters: Glumpuddle, Gymfan, Forrest
The post Next Narnia Movie Remains “Under Wraps” as Fans Hope for Clarity from Trailer | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
The Magician’s Nephew has long been confirmed as the source material for Greta Gerwig’s upcoming Narnia adaptation. The title of the film, however, remains uncertain.
What should the title of the film be? Should they drop “The Chronicles of”? Or what about keeping it simply The Magician’s Nephew? Listen to our discussion and then post a comment below.
Rilian, Gymfan, GlumpuddleThe post The Title of the Next Narnia Movie? | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
In this episode, the podcasters recap the last several weeks of Narnia movie news as Greta Gerwig wraps filming.
What will the title of the movie be? Who will Susan Wokoma play? How big of a role will/should Samantha Spiro‘s Beaver character have? Should fans be concerned about Editor Andrew Weisblum’s comments? And what is up with the production acquiring a dead tree?
Listen to the discussion and post a comment below!
Glumpuddle, DoomThe post Two Titles, Two Beavers, and a Dead Tree | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
In this episode of Talking Beasts: The Narnia Podcast, the podcasters look back on a wild year on NarniaWeb in which details about Greta Gerwig’s Narnia adaptation finally started to emerge… slowly.
The post Reflecting on the Top Stories of 2025 | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
Most fans assumed that Producer Amy Pascal was being flippant when she said Greta Gerwig’s upcoming Narnia movie would be “all about rock ‘n roll.” But now, new comments seem to suggest there is at least some substance here:
This is not your mother’s or your grandmother‘s Narnia. The music in it is unbelievably contemporary music, which IMAX fans like. I’m not gonna say specifically, but things like Pink Floyd and The Doors.
Rich Gelfond, IMAX CEO
What does all this mean for the film? Listen to our discussion and then post a comment below!
Rilian, Gymfan, GlumpuddleThe post The Musician’s Nephew? Deciphering New Comments From IMAX CEO | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
This week marks 20 years since the theatrical release of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe!
In this episode, we have compiled highlights from two separate interviews with Georgie Henley (Lucy) and Anna Popplewell (Susan), both originally recorded in 2020.
Enjoy and then post a comment below!
The post Georgie Henley and Anna Popplewell Reflect on Narnia Movies | Talking Beasts Flashback appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
That’s right. Greta Gerwig’s adaptation of The Magician’s Nephew will be hitting IMAX screens in just over one year. A veil of secrecy continues to hang over the production, but much of what little has leaked has been controversial. How are fans feeling a Thanksgiving 2026 starts to draw near? Listen and then post a comment below!
The post One Year to Go: How We’re Feeling About Gerwig’s Narnia Movie | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
GO HERE to vote for your top 3 Narnia books. Submissions are due this Sunday October 12.
How does the NarniaWeb community rank the beloved Chronicles of Narnia? That is what we are on a mission to determine to mark Narnia’s 75th anniversary. Listen to podcasters discuss how they chose their top 3, and don’t forget to vote!
The results of the poll will be published on #NarniaDay, October 16.
The post The Top 3 Narnia Books | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
Amateur videos from the set of Greta Gerwig’s upcoming adaptation of The Magician’s Nephew are continuing to pour in, with the latest being the most dramatic yet. The footage appears to show Emma Mackey’s stunt double pulling a wand from her boot and “blasting” a pedestrian out of the why. This might indicate two changes from the book: 1) Jadis has a wand, and 2) She is able to use magic in our world.
Would this be a big change or small change? Listen to our discussion and then post a comment below!
The post Is the Witch’s Wand Kind of a Big Deal? | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
We have had some exciting reveals via London set photos: David McKenna as Digory, Beatrice Campbell as Polly, and what appears to be our first glimpse of Queen Jadis. Additionally, a large mural of a lion is offering fans some hope. Listen to our reaction and post a comment below!
Watch the post-show chatter.
The post First Look at Digory, Polly, and… Jadis? | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
The first photos from the set of Greta Gerwig’s upcoming The Magician’s Nephew adaptation revealed a key detail: The story will apparently be set in 1955, unlike the book which was set in 1900. It may also be worth noting that The Magician’s Nephew book was published in 1955. How significant is this shift? And could it be setting the stage for The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe being set in present day? Listen to the discussion and post a comment below!
Watch the post-show chatter.
Rilian, Gymfan, GlumpuddleThe post The Magician’s Nephew Being Transplanted to 1955? | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
Academy Award nominee Carey Mulligan is the latest to join the cast of Greta Gerwig’s upcoming movie adaptation of The Magician’s Nephew. She will play Digory’s mother… who only has a few lines in the book. Should we expect more from this character in the movie? Listen to the discussion and post a comment below!
In the post-show chatter, the podcasters discuss other things in The Magician’s Nephew that will likely be expanded in the movie.
The post Why Mabel Kirke Will Probably Have an Expanded Role in The Magician’s Nephew | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
Last week, we saw the first official casting announcement for Greta Gerwig’s upcoming Narnia movie! Following in the footsteps of Barbara Kellerman and Tilda Swinton, Emma Mackey will be the next actor to portray the iconic White Witch. Listen to our reactions to the news and then post a comment below.
Rilian, Gymfan, GlumpuddleWatch the post-show chatter.
The post Will Emma Mackey Be a More Book-Accurate White Witch? | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
The aftershock of the latest casting report can still be felt in the NarniaWeb community: Meryl Steep is reportedly “in talks” to voice Aslan in Greta Gerwig’s upcoming Narnia movie. Following this report, our data indicates that fan enthusiasm for the project significantly diminished, with many questioning if they will go see the film at all. Is this being blown out of proportion? Listen to the podcasters process through the issue and then post a comment below!
Post-Show Chatter: Watch the podcasters talk about what was going on behind-the-scenes among the NarniaWeb staff as the report was breaking.
Audio only:
The post Meryl Streep Might Play Aslan… How Concerned Should We Be? | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
Daniel Craig as Uncle Andrew? Charli XCX as Jadis? Casting for Greta Gerwig’s Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew (title unofficial) is underway, and fans are not waiting for official announcements to start the discussion. Listen to the podcasters share their impressions (and do a dramatic reading of the audition scene being used for Digory and Polly).
Rilian, Gymfan, GlumpuddleWatch the post-show chatter in which the podcasters discuss some of the films that have influenced Greta Gerwig, and Glumpuddle tries to convince Rilian and Gymfan to join Letterboxd.
The post The Magician’s Nephew Casting Rumors are Pouring In | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
Watch the video: https://youtu.be/IvnNk65cXPY
On April 15, for the first time in 17 years, new Chronicles of Narnia cover art will be hitting bookshelves. In this episode, the podcasters zoom in and squint at every detail of the new artwork and discuss how it compares to the previous set released in 2007.
Thanks to everyone in the NarniaWeb Discord group for aiding this analysis!
This episode is a bit of a sequel to previous video series, Marsh-wiggle Madness, in which we looked at every Narnia cover ever made and crowned a champion:
Watch the post-show chatter in which Glumpuddle and Gymfan discuss more past Narnia covers and react to the Oscars.
The post Narnia Book Covers: New vs. Old | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
There is still no official word on which of The Chronicles of Narnia books Greta Gerwig will adapt for the big screen. But last week, we got our biggest clue yet in the form of a casting call for a boy and a girl aged 10-11. Fans were quick to declare that all signs pointed to Digory and Polly. Listen to our analysis and then post a comment!
Join our Discord group!
Glumpuddle, Impending DoomWatch the post-show chatter.
The post It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like The Magician’s Nephew | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
Last week, it finally became official: Greta Gerwig’s Narnia movie will be releasing in IMAX theaters Thanksgiving 2026 before it starts streaming on Netflix the following Christmas! And Producer Amy Pascal says it will be “all about rock and roll.”
Watch our reactions and then post a comment below or in our new Discord group!
In Part 2 of this discussion, the podcasters discuss possible titles for the movie. Will it just be Narnia? Or are they deliberately trying to keep the actual title under wraps for now? If so, why?
The post Netflix’s Narnia Movie is Ready to… Rock and Roll? | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
Note: This episode was recorded before the recent comments from Producer Amy Pascal.
We have not seen a Chronicles of Narnia movie adaptation since 2010… but not for lack of trying! This episode is a reflection the movie news ups and downs–from the Joe Johnston’s Silver Chair production all the way to Greta Gerwig taking the helm at Netflix. The podcasters pick their most controversial, puzzling, exciting, deflating, and surprising headlines from the best 14 years.
Related links:
- NarniaWeb Interviews The Silver Chair Screenwriter David Magee
- The Silver Chair Director Joe Johnston Answers Questions
Glumpuddle, Impending DoomWatch the post-show chatter.
The post 14 Years of Trying to Get Another Narnia Movie Made | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
Nothing has been heard from Matthew Aldrich since he was announced as the “creative architect” of Netflix’s Chronicles of Narnia adaptations in 2019… until now:
I had a very specific idea about what I wanted to do with the Narnia material. I had laid out for [Netflix] a strategy of film and series as a way to adapt the seven books in a way that was both sort of respectful, but also not precious, you know, and try to sort of update them in some fun ways. And ultimately that’s not the direction Netflix wanted to go.”
Matthew Aldrich, Script Apart podcast
Are we happy Netflix decided to go with Greta Gerwig instead? Listen to our discussion and then post a comment!
Special guest: Stuart from Into the Wardrobe:
Watch the post-show chatter.
Looking for all the news about Netflix’s Narnia? Here’s everything we know.
The post Why Netflix Replaced Matthew Aldrich with Greta Gerwig | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
This story is about something that happened to them when they were sent away from London during the war because of the air-raids.
The World War II setting of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe makes it read like a period story today. But, C.S. Lewis published in 1950, just ten years after the story takes place. Many of the book’s first readers clearly remembered the war and would have related to the four children on some level.
Is the 1940s setting absolutely essential to this story? Most NarniaWebbers think so, but at least one isn’t quite sure… Listen to our discussion and then post a comment below!
Read more about the 1990s screenplay that was set in present day and substituted cheeseburgers for Turkish Delight.
Rilian, Gymfan, GlumpuddleWatch the post-show chatter in which the podcasters discuss the exciting/terrifying progress of artificial intelligence.
The post Would Updating Narnia Be the Worst Idea Ever? | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
According to recent reports, Writer/Director Greta Gerwig is pushing for a Thanksgiving 2026 theatrical release for her upcoming Chronicles of Narnia movie adaptation, but Netflix is reluctant. How much does a theatrical release matter? What is Netflix so concerned about? Listen to the discussion and then post a comment below!
Watch the post-show chatter in which we discuss other Narnia-Netflix news from the past several months.
Glumpuddle, Impending DoomThe post Should Netflix Bring Narnia Back to the Big Screen? | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
The Last Battle is a dark final turn for The Chronicles of Narnia. In chapter 2 alone, we begin with the murder of the trees at Lantern Waste and end with the main characters committing murder. Is this all this too much of a departure from the rest of the books? Listen to the conversation and then post a comment below! (Discussion about the above illustration begins at 7:53)
Also check out The Lamp-post Listener’s discussion about The Last Battle.
“Let there be wicked kings and beheadings, battles and dungeons, giants and dragons, and let villains be soundly killed at the end the book. Nothing will persuade me that this causes an ordinary child any kind or degree of fear beyond what it wants, and needs, to feel.”
C.S. Lewis, On Three Ways of Writing for Children
Watch the post-show chatter about Star Wars.
Rilian, Gymfan, GlumpuddleThe post PG-13 Illustration in The Last Battle? | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
The final book in The Chronicle of Narnia begins in a very different way from the others. In the first chapter, we are introduced to Shift and his plan to put Puzzle in a lion’s skin and masquerade him as Aslan. Other authors might have chosen to keep this a mystery until later. Listen to our discussion about why C.S. Lewis went this route with the story.
Please enjoy and then post a comment below!
In our post-show chatter, we discuss how this scene might be handled in a movie adaptation.
Rilian, Gymfan, GlumpuddleTalking Beasts: The Narnia Podcast
The post Why ‘The Last Battle’ Spills the Beans in Chapter 1 | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
This episode was originally published in April 2019.
To mark the 70th anniversary of The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis, we are re-posting our discussion of one of the memorable scenes in The Chronicles of Narnia: The meeting between Shasta and The Great Lion. In this chapter, “The Unwelcome Fellow Traveller,” Aslan gives meaning to the hardships Shasta has endured.text.
Listen to the discussion below and post a comment!
Rilian, GlumpuddleRelated links:
- Video Review: The Horse and His Boy at The Logos Theatre
- Video: Letters from C. S. Lewis to Glumpuddle’s grandfather
- C. S. Lewis and The Problem of Pain: Lecture by Glumpuddle’s grandfather
The post Aslan, Shasta, and the Problem of Pain | Talking Beasts Flashback appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
This episode was first published in September 2018.
With a new season of Amazon’s The Rings of Power coming in a couple weeks, we thought this would be a good time to revisit a discussion pitting C.S. Lewis’s Narnia against J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth.
Lewis and Tolkien were close friends that each had an enormous impact on the fantasy genre. And, the huge success The Fellowship of the Ring movie (2001) paved the way for a film adaptation of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005). So, it is not surprising that these two amazing works of literature are often compared.
Which is better? Many NarniaWebbers adore both worlds, so don’t assume that Narnia has home field advantage in this episode. Listen to Rilian and Glumpuddle discuss which books and movies they prefer, and what makes a good adaptation.
Rilian, GlumpuddleThe post Narnia vs. The Lord of the Rings | Talking Beasts Flashback appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
This episode was first published in December 2019.
But, the discussion remains just as relevant over 4 years later. We knew Netflix had the rights to The Chronicles of Narnia, but it was long before Greta Gerwig was announced as the writer/director.
Walden Media had dreams of bringing all seven Chronicles of Narnia books to the big screen, but pulled the plug after just three. The Silver Chair, The Horse and His Boy, The Magician’s Nephew, and The Last Battle have never been adapted into films. But, hope remains.
Thanks again to all of our Patreon supporters that help keep NarniaWeb up and running!
Glumpuddle, GymfanThe post 6 Scenes We Can’t Wait to See in a Narnia Movie Someday | Talking Beasts Flashback appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
Five years after publishing The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, C.S. Lewis released a prequel story that detailed the origin of the magic wardrobe. Was this a mistake? Did it ruin the mystery? Listen to the podcasters discuss the final chapter of The Magician’s Nephew.
He couldn’t bear to have it simply chopped up for firewood, so he had part of the timber made into a wardrobe, which he put in his big house in the country. And though he himself did not discover the magic properties of that wardrobe, someone else did.
The Magician’s Nephew Movie
In Part 2 of this discussion, the podcasters discuss how Netflix might handle the wardrobe reveal slightly differently if they begin their series with The Magician’s Nephew.
Rilian, Gymfan, GlumpuddleThe post C.S. Lewis Almost Ruined the Magic Wardrobe | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
What can we say? This chapter of The Magician’s Nephew has so many amazing lines, we decided it deserved its own top 5 list. Listen to the podcasters’ discussion and post a comment below!
Watch the post-show chatter.
Rilian, Gymfan, GlumpuddleThe post Top 5 Lines in Chapter 14 of The Magician’s Nephew | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
The White Witch presents Digory Kirke with an impossible choice in Chapter 13 of The Magician’s Nephew. Should he take the magic apple to his dying mother (which would be stealing) or bring it to Aslan per his instructions? Listen to the podcasters take a deep dive into this gripping climactic scene and then post a comment!
Rilian, Gymfan, GlumpuddleAnd listen to the podcasters’ post-show chatter in which they discuss past solar eclipse experiences.
The post Why Digory Chose Aslan Over His Mother | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
Chapter 12 of The Magician’s Nephew opens with one of the most emotional scenes in The Chronicles of Narnia. Listen to our discussion and post a comment.
The tawny face was bent down near his own and (wonder of wonders) great shining tears stood in the Lion’s eyes. They were such big, bright tears compared with Digory’s own that for a moment he felt as if the Lion must really be sorrier about his Mother than he was himself.
“My son, my son,” said Aslan. “I know. Grief is great. Only you and I in this land know that yet.”
Watch Part 2 of this discussion in which the podcasters discuss the right age to share certain movies with their kids.
Rilian, GlumpuddleThe post The Two Times Aslan Wept | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
In Chapter 11 of The Magician’s Nephew, a cabby and his wife from London are informed they will be the first king and queen of Narnia. Why does Aslan do this and how does it work for the narrative? Listen to the discussion and post a comment below!
Topics covered:
- Humor in this chapter
- Talking beasts unable to understand Uncle Andrew
- Aslan accusing Digory
- Frank and Helen the first king and queen
Rilian, Gymfan, GlumpuddleWatch the post-show chatter.
The post Was the First King of Narnia Some Random Guy? | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
According to Time Magazine, Greta Gerwig is working on a new adaptation of “the first book” in The Chronicles of Narnia… which, considering the controversy surrounding the Narnia reading order, offered no clarity for fans about what to expect. That said, there is still much to discuss:
- Which book Netflix will/should start with
- Netflix CEO calling Gerwig’s vision is “bigger and bolder”
- Gerwig referencing C.S. Lewis essay
Watch the post-show chatter.
Glumpuddle, Impending DoomThe post “The First Book” And Other Matters | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
It has all come down to this! Watch the podcasters choose the best Chronicles of Narnia illustration by Pauline Baynes.
Do you agree with our pick for the winner? Post a comment below!
The post Final Debate: The Best Narnia Illustration appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
Watch the video: https://youtu.be/1NL7dolo-hg
We are on a mission to crown the greatest illustration created for The Chronicles of Narnia books!
Do you agree with our picks? Post a comment below!
The post Debate: Best Narnia Illustration (Round 1) appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
Friendship, I have said, is born at the moment when one man says to another ‘What! You too? I thought that no one but myself…’
C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves
NarniaWeb.com was launched in November 2003. There was no Facebook or Twitter… Cell phones were rare and clunky… Many of us were still using dial-up internet… And Narnia had yet to be brought to the big screen.
In this episode, listen to a few of NarniaWeb’s original members (including the founder) reflect on the old days.
Tirian, Fantasia, GlumpuddleWatch the post-show chatter.
The post NarniaWeb 20th Anniversary Retrospective | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
It has been an interesting couple weeks for the NarniaWeb community! One glance at the homepage might tell you that we are finally getting lots of information about what Writer/Director Greta Gerwig and Netflix have planned for their Chronicles of Narnia adaptations. But it is actually mostly vague hints with room for fans to interpret.
What did Gerwig mean when she said she is currently in the Wood between the worlds? What did Netflix Film Chief Scott Stuber mean by wanting to “break the whole arc” of the series? Listen to the discussion and post a comment!
Glumpuddle, GymfanWatch the post-show chatter.
The post Analysis: Netflix to “Break the Whole Arc” of Narnia Series? | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
There is a lot to unpack in chapter 10 of The Magician’s Nephew! Shortly after creating Narnia, Aslan tells the inhabitants, “Creatures, I give you yourselves.” Later he says, “Now that you are no longer dumb and witless, you need not always be grave. For jokes as well as justice come in with speech.”
What does all this mean? Listen to the discussion and post a comment below.
Rilian, GlumpuddleWatch part 2 of this discussion
The post Can Talking Beasts (and Humans) Make Real Choices? | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
C.S. Lewis packed The Chronicles of Narnia with evocative imagery, but perhaps no scene is more awe-inspiring the the creation of Narnia itself. Whoever decides to helm a film adaptation of The Magician’s Nephew, chapter 9 might be their most difficult task. Listen to the podcasters discuss!
Watch part 2 of this discussion.
Rilian, Gymfan, GlumpuddleThe post The Hardest Scene for The Magician’s Nephew Movie to Get Right | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
Discussing Chapter 8 of The Magician's Nephew.
The post Did Strawberry the Horse Make the Most Important Decision in Narnia’s History? | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
Writer/Director Greta Gerwig is set to helm two Narnia adaptations.
The post What Barbie Means for Narnia (Review) | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
Gerwig will write and direct two Narnia movies for Netflix.
The post Fans React to Greta Gerwig as the Next Narnia Director | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
Discussing the finale of BBC’s The Silver Chair.
The post How BBC Made The Silver Chair Feel Like Narnia’s Finale | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
Discussing Episode 5 of BBC's The Silver Chair.
The post The Iconic Silver Chair Plot Twist! (That Surprised No One) | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
Today marks 15 years since the release of The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, a film adaptation that continues to divide readers of the beloved book. In this episode, the podcasters take a fresh look at the movie.
Watch the post-show chatter.
Rilian, GlumpuddleThe post Why Prince Caspian Still Divides Fans | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
The Silver Chair includes two of the most disturbing scenes in The Chronicles of Narnia. How did BBC handle them in Episode 4 of their 1990 television mini-series? Listen to the discussion and post a comment below!
Post-show chatter will be posted soon.
Rilian, Gymfan, GlumpuddleThe post Horror and Comedy in BBC’s The Silver Chair | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
In Episode 3 of BBC’s The Silver Chair television series, the Lady of the Green Kirtle and the giants of Harfang are introduced. How plausible is it that Jill, Scrubb, and Puddleglum do not immediately recognize their peril? Listen to the discussion and post a comment below.
(Post-Show Chatter will be posted later)
Rilian, Gymfan, GlumpuddleThe post BBC’s Giant Challenge | Talking Beast appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
Tom Baker is perhaps the most iconic actor to portray a character from The Chronicles of Narnia. In this episode, the podcasters compare his performance to the original book, and discuss Episode 2 of BBC’s The Silver Chair adaptation.
Bonus: Watch the post-show chatter in which the podcasters discuss the Oscars.
Rilian, Gymfan, GlumpuddleThe post Reevaluating Tom Baker’s Puddleglum | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
By popular request, we are beginning a series of discussions about BBC’s 1990 television mini-series adaptation of The Silver Chair, which is generally reputed to be the best in the series. Listen to our thoughts and reactions to the first episode and then post a comment below!
Rilian, Gymfan, GlumpuddleWatch the post-show chatter.
The post Tu-whoo or Not Tu-whoo? | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. has been adapted for radio, television, and the big screen. With Netflix currently developing new Narnia adaptations, yet another version of the classic tale may be on the table. Should Netflix begin with a different book this time?
Watch the post-show chatter.
Rilian, Gymfan, GlumpuddleRelated:
- Netflix’s Narnia Reboot: Everything We Know
- Netflix Hints at Possible Narnia Theatrical Release
- Why Netflix Wants Narnia | Talking Beasts
- Should Greta Gerwig Be the Next Narnia Director? | Talking Beasts
- Should the Fans Revolt if Netflix Expands Narnia? | Talking Beasts
- Is Netflix’s Narnia Trying to Be the Next Game of Thrones? | Talking Beasts
The post Should Netflix Redo The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe… Again? | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
It’s the season finale or Talking Beasts: The Narnia Podcast.
Worlds collide in Chapter 7 of The Magician’s Nephew! Queen Jadis begins her conquest by throwing Aunt Letty across a room and surfing atop a hijacked hansom through the streets of London! Listen to the podcasters discuss how C.S. Lewis managed to include all these shenanigans without losing the heart.
Watch this episode’s post-show chatter where the podcasters discuss their favorite Christmas movies.
Rilian, Gymfan, GlumpuddleThe post How C.S. Lewis Avoided Jumping the Shark | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
A few weeks ago, Kasey Moore from What’s on Netflix reported that Netflix was eyeing Greta Gerwig to direct two Chronicles of Narnia movies (Netflix has not confirmed or denied this). In this episode, hear the story from Kasey himself as well as some speculation about what Netflix might be planning for their Narnia adaptations.
Also check out WhatsOnNetflix.com’s Narnia info page.
The post Why Netflix Wants Narnia | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
In this episode, the podcasters discuss The Beginning of Uncle Andrew’s Troubles in The Magician’s Nephew, including more similarities between Andrew Ketterley and Queen Jadis.
View this episode’s post-show chatter.
Rilian, Gymfan, GlumpuddleListen to more episodes of Talking Beasts: The Narnia Podcast.
The post Why Uncle Andrew Didn’t Just Become a Scientist | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
An unconfirmed report claims that Netflix is eyeing Greta Gerwig to helm their Narnia adaptations.
The post Is Greta Gerwig the Next Narnia Director? | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
The Logos Theatre is bringing The Horse and His Boy to Washington, D.C.!
The post Why it’s So Hard to Put Narnia on Stage | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
We are venturing over to Middle-earth to discuss "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power."
The post What We Thought About The Rings of Power | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
What is a "plot twist" anyway?
The post Biggest Twists and Turns in The Chronicles of Narnia | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
What makes a story "dark"?
The post 6 Darkest Moments in The Chronicles of Narnia | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
The beloved book turns 70! Listen to our discussion...
The post The Voyage of the Dawn Treader Does Everything Wrong | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
In this season finale, the podcasters discuss The White Witch’s backstory as described in chapter 5 of The Magician’s Nephew,...
The post C.S. Lewis Created an Atomic Bomb | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
We are discussing chapter 4 of The Magician's Nephew.
The post The Real Reason Digory Hit the Bell | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
In this episode, the podcasts try to wrap their brains around one of C.S. Lewis‘s most fascinating and enagmatic creations:...
The post Is The Magician’s Nephew Science-Fiction? | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
We're discussing the opening chapters of The Magician's Nephew.
The post Do Uncle Andrew and Reepicheep Have Something in Common? | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
This is it. Today we choose the best Narnia book cover of all time!
The post Which Narnia Cover is the Best?: THE FINAL FOUR! appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
Which cover is the best? Today, we complete our Final Four.
The post Which Narnia Cover is the Best?: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
We're matching up the best Narnia covers against each other... which one is the greatest of all time?
The post Which Narnia Cover is the Best?: Prince Caspian / Voyage of the Dawn Treader appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
The journey continues to find the best Chronicles of Narnia book cover of all time! In this video episode, we...
The post Which Narnia Cover is the Best?: The Silver Chair / The Horse and His Boy appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
Marsh-wiggle Madness begins! We are starting off with The Magician's Nephew and The Last Battle covers.
The post Which Narnia Cover is the Best?: The Magician’s Nephew / The Last Battle appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
Discussing the finale of BBC's "Voyage of the Dawn Treader" TV mini-series.
The post The Lines BBC Removed from the Ending of ‘Dawn Treader’ | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
Discussing BBC's "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader," Episode 3.
The post Spoiler: The Sea Serpent is Defeated During the Opening Credits | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
In this episode, the podcasters discuss episode 2 of BBC’s The Voyage of the Dawn Treader series. This includes the undragoning of Eustace Scubb, which is one of the most beloved scenes in The Chronicles of Narnia, and also fiendishly difficult to adapt. How did BBC fair?
Watch Part 2 of the discussion.
And, don’t miss NarniaWeb’s interview with Samuel West (Caspian 1990) and Ben Barnes (Caspian 2008)!
Rilian, Gymfan, Glumpuddle The post Did BBC Get the Undragoning Right? | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
In this episode, the podcasters begin a new discussion of BBC’s 1989 television mini-series adaptation of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Listen and then post a comment below!
In Part 2 of this discussion, the podcasters compare this part of the series to the Walden Media movie (2010).
And, don’t forget to watch NarniaWeb’s discussion with Ben Barnes (Caspian 2008) and Samuel West (Caspian 1990)!
Rilian, Gymfan, Glumpuddle The post The Best Scene in BBC’s Narnia Series | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
Listen:
A new movie about C.S. Lewis releases on November 3. In this episode of Talking Beasts: The Narnia Podcast, the podcasters review The Most Reluctant Convert, an adaptation of the stage play starring Max McLean. It tells the story of C.S. Lewis’s journey from atheism to Christianity. (Showtimes)
Guest: David Bates from Pints with Jack: The C.S. Lewis Podcast
In the Trinity Term of 1929 I gave in, and admitted that God was God, and knelt and prayed: perhaps, that night, the most dejected and reluctant convert in all England.
C.S. Lewis, Surprised by Joy
Watch Part 2 of of this review
(Spoilers)
Related links:
- NarniaWeb interviews Max McLean (2018)
- Stage play review (2017)
Official Synopsis
*An elder C.S. Lewis looks back on his remarkable journey from hard-boiled atheist to the most renowned Christian writer of the past century.
The Most Reluctant Convert features award-winning actor Max McLean as the older Lewis and Nicholas Ralph – breakout star of PBS Masterpiece’s All Creatures Great and Small – as young Lewis. Beautifully filmed in and around Oxford this engaging biopic follows the creator of The Chronicles of Narnia from the tragic death of his mother when he was just nine years old, through his strained relationship with his father, to the nightmare of the trenches of World War I to Oxford University, where friends like J.R.R. Tolkien challenge his unbelief.
Written for the screen and directed by two-time Emmy and BAFTA winner Norman Stone (BBC’s Shadowlands), The Most Reluctant Convert brings to life the spiritual evolution of one the 20th century’s sharpest minds and keenest wits.*
The post Early Review: “The Most Reluctant Convert,” New Movie About C.S. Lewis appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
Listen to the full 40-minute conversation:
In this #NarniaDay episode of Talking Beasts: The Narnia Podcast, Samuel West and Ben Barnes compare their experiences playing Caspian in the BBC series and Walden Media movies. Ben recalls as a child watching Sam in the role. They also discuss the possibility of another actor portraying the character in Netflix’s upcoming Narnia movies and series.
Watch the highlight video or listen to the full 40-minute conversation.
Sam recently finished filming the second season of All Creatures Great and Small, while Ben can be seen in Shadow and Bone on Netflix.
Thank you, Patreon supporters, for submitting questions for Sam and Ben! You can still view the full unedited video of this conversation here.
Related episodes:
- Georgie Henley Remembers Playing Lucy 15 years later
- Anna Popplewell on What Led to Susan’s Fall
- Reviewing BBC’s Prince Caspian
- Ben Barnes Talks to NarniaWeb About ‘Dawn Treader’ (2008)
Transcript:
NARNIAWEB (GLUMPUDDLE): Good morning, Sam.
SAM: Good morning to you.
NARNIAWEB: And Ben, good to see you again. You might remember I interviewed you on the set of Prince Caspian during filming.
BEN: Of course I do! I remember when I got this job, and Georgie, Anna and Will–experienced veterans of being in the films–were telling me that NarniaWeb was where we were to get all the honest reactions. (laughter) So it was actually one of the first things I came across when I landed in this world.
NARNIAWEB: I remember you telling me that you grew up with the BBC versions of The Chronicles of Narnia.
Ben Barnes: I absolutely did. I still have my combined copy of Prince Caspian and the Voyage of the Dawn Treader. I was 8 when I watched the BBC versions. They are utterly magical to me in every single way, even though there are sort of stuffed beavers being clearly thrown from one AD to the other in front of the lens. They are to me perfect and magical in every way. I won’t hear a single word against it.
Samuel West: So, as long we have a vote and it’s confined entirely to 8-year-olds, I think the BBC might win.
BEN: Or just the two of us.
SAM: (laughs) I know exactly what you mean about throwing beavers to ADs. But yes, it is lovely when you meet people when it first came out or first met it when they were 8. It binds you together in a sort of shared childhood experience, as I suppose being 10 when the first Harry Potter book came out, or even being 8 when the first Narnia book came out in 1950 or thereabouts.
NarniaWeb: For you, Sam, was it strange seeing Ben take on the character in the newer movies? Was it weird seeing someone else in the role?
SAM: Not at all! I thought he was marvelous. I didn’t see them when I was small because they didn’t exist and I’m extremely old. But no, I went to see them when they were released. First of all, I was quite jealous that he got to play Prince Caspian, because I didn’t. That was a very clever casting decision, not that I didn’t love Jean-Marc Perret’s performance as the young Prince Caspian, but to have an older Caspian so that you have the continuity through those two books.
I liked Ben’s performance because it was dashing and brave but full of self doubt and duty and truth, all the things that happen to you if you’re a thoughtful king or prince, which of course Caspian is. I think the films are terrific, although they do have budgets roughly 100 times what we had at the time, they used them extremely well.
You mentioned before we started, Ben, that the Pevensie children have an advantage over Caspian when he arrives, in that they’ve already done one, but they are also as you say kids. You have to hit the ground running and they’re veterans with one year already.
BEN: It was interesting about what you were saying about Harry Potter, this device that’s used so often in children’s literature, putting the protagonist at the age of the person that you hope will be most engaged with reading and watching it. They are learning about the universe that they’ve discovered as you are reading about it. And obviously, in The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe you very much are one of those Pevensie children and then by the time you get to Prince Caspian, they’ve been to this world before and although they are discovering new things, that baton is passed to the Caspian character, and even though he’s grown up in that world, he is asked to switch allegiances and confused by the world outside of the castle grounds.
But I was never very interested in any of that. I was interested in getting to be Sam West. I wanted to be the king, who knew what was going on, who was in charge and who had the answers. That was partly to do with me being far too old to be cast as Prince Caspian, a 25 year old playing a 13 year old or whatever he’s supposed to be. But knowing we’d follow up quickly with the next one and I’d feel a little more comfortable.
SAM: You knew you were going to do the second one by the time you started the first?
BEN: We didn’t know for certain but it was very much part of the plan. And it was always my favorite of the stories, Dawn Treader.
SAM: It’s interesting. It has a very different character from the other books. There isn’t really an antagonist. He’s not set up against a witch or a big baddie, there are some slavers on the first group of islands but they are quickly disposed of. It’s much more about what you learn about yourself.
BEN: It’s a series of allegorical challenges. It’s almost like little biblical stories, like the dipping in the water that turns things to gold, the turning into the dragon, the repercussions of that behavior. The imagery was always so clear.
SAM: Yes, you get one moral per island. (laughs)
BEN: Visually, it works really well to show something being dipped in gold, to show the dragon scales, to see these things was always really enticing.
NARNIAWEB: Sam, when you got the role, did you know how well-known the books were? Did you have pressure in stepping into that character?
SAM: I suppose I was slightly saved from that by not playing the book that was named after the character of Prince Caspian. Obviously I knew they were enormously famous and big and I owned them.
Professionally, I was enormously pleased about getting the job. I did get a place at Webber Douglas,a drama school that doesn’t exist anymore. And then I was offered a film called Reunion filming in Berlin. I asked them, “Can I put my place off for a year?” and Webber Douglas quite properly said, “No, you need to reapply.” So I did the film. It felt like being paid not to go to drama school, even though I really wanted to go. And I told myself if I wasn’t working in a years time, I’d reapply. But if I am working, then I wouldn’t. But in a year’s time, I was in Narnia.
I remember coming home one weekend having driven from Milford Haven on the west coast of Wales. My mother asked me what I had been doing that weekend, and I told her I was on a beach in chain mail talking to a dragon. That was precisely what I was doing. That was what kept me out of drama school, so I never went and I should have gone; many things would have been better if I had.
That was my perfect summer of 1989. And it was a beautiful summer, you can see in the adaptation actually. There’s a lot of sun when it’s not dark and we’re not fighting sea serpents. When Lord Bern and I are walking down this long staircase having a conversation after he bought me and doesn’t know who I am, that was filmed in a place called Tresco Abbey Gardens which is easily the most tropical place you can get to in Great Britain.
NARNIAWEB: One thing you both have in common is starring alongside Warwick Davis who played Reepicheep in the BBC versions and Nikabrik in the Walden version. Ben, I’m curious since you were such a fan of the BBC adaptation. How conscious of that were you? Did you talk about that with Warwick?
BEN: I was aware of it, but I was too busy being star struck by the fact that Willow was there. He’s got such an immediately sunny disposition. He was extremely naughty and funny. I still have videos on my phone that I’ve never shown anybody, of him and I behind the scenes goofing. I had this huge, long cape, and he would sometimes stand behind it and I would lift it up and he would walk out. I had another video where he and Peter Dinklage, they both had these horrible, but beautiful to look at, beards and wigs and bald caps that had to be maintained every five to seven minutes, and Weta Workshop did a brilliant job, but he was so fed up with their ongoing maintenance. He would pretend the makeup people were crazy and would say, “Stop that! What are you doing?” He made a game out of it, he made it funny.
He was utterly enthused and committed to being there which I gather he has been on everything he has done and that’s why I think people love him.
SAM: That’s a beautiful tribute. If you forgive me for looking over my shoulder, I’ve got one of Warwick’s noses somewhere and looking to see if it’s here. (laughter)
NARNIAWEB: Just lying around?
SAM: No, it’s a latex Reepicheep nose from 1989. It was pinned against that wall as a sort of trophy but eventually it got so hard that it fell off and I’ve got it in a box, I should have gotten it out.
NARNIAWEB: Well, that’s not quite as romantic as the props Ben has – his sword. But very notable.
BEN: Which I will wheel out at any opportunity.
SAM: Well, I do have my little gold hat. No, I agree. That absolutely chimes with my experience working with Warwick. He was a veteran. He was still a teenager. I can’t remember how old he was when we started. I remember when he did his exit from the film, when he waves to the children, Alex Kirby the director, turned to the director of photography and focus puller and said, “How was that?” The focus puller says, “I don’t know, I was crying too much.”
NARNIAWEB: What better compliment for an actor?
SAM: Exactly. He embodies the Reepicheep character of nobility, strength, honor, but also above his station and above his size. We worked with such a range of people of all sizes. Guy Fithen who plays Rhince,he was about 6 feet 5 inches, and Warwick was 3 foot something. I remember just stopping to notice how tall people were. One day we went to Warwick Castle, and I think we went because Warwick thought it might be named after him. It’s a medieval castle where all the doorways are quite low. All the adults banged their heads. I have a picture of Warwick strolling through the doorway which was exactly the right size.
BEN: I have exactly the same experience from the films. There was this actor and stuntman named Jimmy who would stand in for Warwick and Peter who was even smaller than they were all the way up to Shane Rangi who would play all the minotaurs. I’m sure you’ve come across him Brian, he’s a magnificent Māori actor and stuntman who played a lot of the characters from the movies. They put him on these sprung stilts.
NARNIAWEB: They were called power risers.
BEN: That’s what they were called.! I know they had a cool name and I knew I wouldn’t remember it.
SAM: (laughter) That sounds a lot better than sprung stilts. I want power risers!
BEN: And they put him in this big animatronic minotaur head. He was leading the charge at this electronic gate that was slowly rising and he was at the front of this pack of marauders, and because he had this animatronic head on, he couldn’t see that the gate wasn’t going to be open enough for him to clear and sure enough he clanged right into it and was immediately knocked out on the ground. Talk about sunny disposition. He stood up and brushed himself off and would say, “Okay, let’s go again.”
NARNIAWEB: And he was fine. Better to have a good story than a good time.
SAM: Well said. Yes indeed. One other thing I was also going to mention is that Kenny Baker played one of the Dufflepuds so that’s the only time I ever worked with R2-D2. I get into the cast of Star Wars through Kenny Baker which is pretty cool.
BEN: The many things I was looking forward to about shooting Voyage of the Dawn Treader was not because of the books, but because of the BBC version. I had the imagery in my head. I wanted to stand on the bow of the ship like Sam, and I wanted the wind in my hair like it was in yours.
SAM: (laughs)
BEN: The scene with the Dufflepuds, I remember being excited about shooting that and remembering how it was in the BBC version with that design of that sort of single shoe they wore.
SAM: I want to say one more thing about the scene with me standing by the sail looking up and praying for a wind which I remember being a particularly wanky moment that I would probably do differently now. I was being so terribly serious.
BEN:(laughs) I loved it.
SAM: I remember David Thwaites, who played Eustace, played me on a little show that the children put together on the ship back from the isles and I remember a particular bit where he stood against the mast and looked up and pretended to be me looking very seriously, and I rightly got the piss ripped out of me for that.
BEN: And then later I pretended to be you in that moment in the exact same way.
SAM: (laughs) I’m really sorry.
NARNIAWEB: I have a few questions from our Patreon supporters. Tricia wants to know how much the Narnia books influenced your performance.
BEN: I think it was more about the screenplay. Especially in Prince Caspian, I felt there was a disparity between my older age and the character’s age in the book. I felt incapable of being 13, that there was going to be a forced innocence in my performance.
I have been fortunate to be involved in several projects of well-known stories. I always have this curated list of moments from the books which you’re hoping to get into the adaptation, the lines you hope you’ll get to say.
I remember in Dawn Treader, them having a conversation about Caspian asking about the Pevensies world, when they ask, “Is it true that your world is round, and if so, have you been to the other side where people are upside down?” I remember thinking that was a lovely part of his character which was the curiosity. I think that was sort of missing from our version, that I didn’t ask them about their world. But I was far above my pay grade at the time.
Now, however, doing things like Shadow and Bone, I will go directly to the author or show-runner and ask if we could find a moment to portray this fascinating aspect of the character. But I hadn’t earned that privilege at that point in my career.
SAM: On the whole, I think that’s helpful for the writer. I mean, they can always say, “Yeah, I’ve considered that and it doesn’t really fit.” That’s a useful answer, and while that may not be what you want to hear, on the other hand you’re the one who has to play the part. And if you’ve got to play it over a number of stories as you did, and as I am now, you know if I go to Ben Vanstone, our writer from All Creatures Great and Small, and ask, “I’m not sure we’ve seen much of this before…” and well, I think that kind of thing is helpful for them.
I had a slightly easier time I suspect because it’s a pretty straightforward adaptation, much of the dialogue is straight from the book. That might have pleased the book fans but maybe not everyone else. It’s four episodes rather than one film. Each island can be exciting in its own right and you can have a sort of “story of the week.”
What Ben said about curiosity is very useful. Otherwise, why isn’t Caspian at home? He’s got this thing he has to do, people he’s got to find, and doesn’t know how. But at the same time there’s a slight wanderlust, he’s turning himself into the person he’s going to be when he gets back.
It’s a bit like going to America. I played George the VI in a film with Bill Murray ten years ago called Hyde Park on Hudson, and it’s about George the VI and Elizabeth his wife going to see Roosevelt. And they had a very successful time and when they got back he turns into the king he needs to be. And I think that’s similar to Caspian.
NARNIAWEB: Here’s a question from Darby. She wants to know how you think Narnia has influenced you professionally. Both of you played Caspian relatively early in your careers.
BEN: I would say it introduced me to this massive film experience. That was the one advantage of coming into this family who had the experience of making this successful adaptation in the first film. There was a focus on enjoying it and having people’s families around. Sam mentioned filming in this golden summer. We were in Australia, and I was a bit older and I didn’t have my family there, but I would sit with Will Poulter’s family, Will who played Eustace utterly brilliantly.
SAM: A wonderful performance, I agree.
BEN: He called me Uncle Benji, and he would invite me to watch the cricket with him, and he was just the sweetest boy. And of course Skandar and Georgie were there, and Anna and Will came up for a short time. Whatever challenges there were, but I never forgot to enjoy doing this kind of work. Especially in a fantasy project, you can have focus, have your curated list of things you’d like to get into the film, stay up late thinking of that fierce argument of whether or not you’re going to wear that hat, but enjoying it is so important.
It’s not a lesson every actor gets taught very early on. They are trained to take it very seriously. And that sort of behavior can breed on set and sooner or later no one is having a very good time.
SAM: Yes, that’s true. There’s a wonderful Mads Mikkelsen quote going around that says something like, “I want to have a career, but actually how I have a career is by thinking about what I’m doing in the moment is the most important thing I’ll ever do.”
BEN: I couldn’t agree more.
SAM: I’ll send you the quote, Ben. But that’s how you get a career, you do a number of those things and then you look back and say you had a career. You don’t have a career by planning to have a career. You just enjoy the job you’re doing.
BEN: Part of enjoying it is being proud of it.
SAM: That would be my main note now to myself as Caspian. I would just say, “Relax and enjoy it a bit more.” I was a rather serious child, I’m still rather serious adult, but much less so.
BEN: If you remember it as this golden summer, then you must have enjoyed it.
SAM: No, I did enjoy it at the time, but my performance is a little bit staid I think. It doesn’t matter.
BEN: To me, you were golden.
SAM: Ah, you’re so sweet.
NARNIAWEB: That golden wig.
BEN: Was it a wig?!
SAM: Yes, it was a wig!
BEN: Oh! You just destroyed my life!
SAM: No, I did have very curly golden hair. And Jean Marc was partly cast because we looked quite like each other because he had this golden hair. And then in-between I did the film Reunion where they straightened my hair. And when I came back they asked, “What the hell have you done with your hair? We’re going to have to make you a wig.” I was absolutely baking in that wig. I think when we were filming, they had one of the hottest days in Wales for a century. And I’m wearing basically carpet.
But I do want to answer your question as beautifully as possible, at least as beautifully as Ben has. I remember it being as sort of a child. Although I did carry many happy things on, because I was friends with some of them, particularly Richard Dempsey who played Peter, who has remained a mate, who I didn’t of course act with because he ‘s not in Dawn Treader.But he was around because we filmed Prince Caspian at the same time. He became a professional actor while the others really didn’t.
I felt close to these people even though I was about eight years older than them. And when the last episode was shown on Christmas Eve 1989, and the three children held hands and looked at the painting and Eustace says, “Did it really happen?” It’s a slightly rushed, uneven ending. And I just remember weeping for the rest of the day. I was at home watching with my parents. My parents are both actors, and they asked me, “What’s the matter with you?” I just cried for the rest of the day because I realized that was the end of my childhood. That final episode drew a line under the beautiful golden summer. Even though I was 23 and had been to university, that I couldn’t call myself a child anymore and that I wouldn’t go back to Narnia. And I remember that being like a force of a blow.
So in a sense, a sadder and a wiser man I rose the morrow morn. It was Christmas day and that was the beginning of my adult life. It wasn’t until Narnia had been made and shown when I realized that chapter was over.
BEN: That’s so lovely.
SAM: It’s sort of what happens to Edmund and Lucy, because they are told at the end that they can’t go back because they are too old.
NARNIAWEB: Esther wanted me to ask you about Netflix. As both of you might be aware, Netflix is developing their own adaptations. So Ben, you might be about to pass on the baton to another Caspian. Would you have any advice for any future Caspians?
BEN: I’m sure it would be as different as the 1989 version was to ours. I can reveal actually at this point, that both Sam and I have been asked to be in it…well, no, that’s not really true. (laughter) But they should.
SAM: And why not, frankly?
BEN: We’ll be playing the very old lords.
SAM: Mavramorn! (laughter)
BEN: I’ll be in Warwick’s beard as the starving lord on the rock. Maybe I can do an Aslan voice. No, I will defer to Sam for that one.
NARNIAWEB: In all seriousness, there could be a cameo in there somewhere.
SAM: That’s the problem for me. I just hear Aslan as Ronald “Ronnie” Pickup.
BEN: You’d be a brilliant Aslan. And I can be a badger or something.
SAM: I think if you’re lucky enough to play a named part that is played by a number of people over the years, whether it’s Doctor Who or Hamlet, that there’s never a sense that you’re the best one, just that you get to carry the torch for a bit and pass it on to the next lucky person.
BEN: And that you shared something. It kind of thrilled me a bit when you were 23 or 24 when you did that. Because it made me feel like your experience must have been more akin to mine than I thought. Again, that painting at the end is a very powerful image for me. It’s about sharing something. That’s very much in the spirit of these stories.
SAM: That said, it would be lovely to have a cameo in it. I remember what I wanted to say, a piece of advice to anyone playing Caspian. Just have fun, watch your predecessors or don’t watch them. But there is a certain amount of duty with Caspian. I find it really touching that Ben has watched my performance, because what Caspian is supposed to do as king is very much part of his character.
BEN: It’s a guardianship.
SAM: Exactly. “How do I play this part” is not a thing you generally ask yourself, but if you’re a king, it is. There’s this javelin-like inheritance coming down from your family tree to pin you where you are. Caspian manages to escapes that and goes off on a ship and has about a year to figure out who he is.
BEN: They talk about that when you play the king, the other actors will play that status for you. But there aren’t people around in either book to sort of treat him like a king.
SAM: No, you don’t have a lot of courtiers around, do you?
BEN: So, you have to dig down inside all those little allegories and find the right choices.
SAM: And also, when you’re on a ship, he calls you “your majesty”, but actually the captain’s in charge. If you don’t do what he says you’ll drown.
NARNIAWEB: Sam and Ben, thanks so much for being on Talking Beasts. It was great to get you guys together.
Transcribed by SkilletDude
Read Transcript The post Ben Barnes Meets His Idol Samuel West (Two Caspians) appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
Ever since Netflix announced they were developing Chronicles of Narnia movies and series, fans have been speculating that the streaming giant might not be satisfied with just seven stories. In this episode, the podcasters discuss the possibility of Netflix going beyond C.S. Lewis‘s canon and telling original Narnia stories.
Here is everything that is known about Netflix’s Narnia.
Also check out the latest video on the Into the Wardrobe YouTube channel:
Bonus Video: Part 2 of this discussion where Glumpuddle and Rilian talk about Amazon’s upcoming The Lord of the Rings series.
Related episodes:
- The 8th Narnia Book C.S. Lewis Started Writing| Talking Beasts
- Where Netflix’s Narnia Reboot Should Start | Talking Beasts
- Wishlist for Netflix’s Narnia | Talking Beasts
The post Should the Fans Revolt if Netflix Expands Narnia? | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
Jokes as well as justice come in with speech.
Aslan
We asked our listeners to send us things in The Chronicles of Narnia that made them laugh. In this episode, the podcasters pick out their favorite submissions.
Part 2 of this discussion: More funny moments that didn’t quite make the list.
This is our last episode of the season. See you next Fall!
Glumpuddle, Movie Aristotle The post Top 10 Funny Moments in Narnia | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
Earlier this year, a board book adaptation of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was released. It’s a condensed version of the classic story for 0-4 year olds. In this episode, three NarniaWebber parents take a look inside and discuss if this “gentle re-telling” will spoil the original story for their children.
This episode was inspired by a conversation in the NarniaWeb Discussion Forum.
Bonus Discussion:
- Watch Glumpuddle’s 2-minute video review of the board book.
- Read NarniaWeb’s exclusive interview with Douglas Gresham about the book.
Glumpuddle, Rilian, Fantasia The post Will this book ruin Narnia for kids forever? | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.
The Chronicles of Narnia might feel out of place among the rest of C.S. Lewis’s works, which include The Screwtape Letters, Mere Christianity, and The Problem of Pain. The Narnia books were the only ones Lewis wrote for children. But, if you look closely, they fit right in. In this episode, the podcasters discuss some examples.
Special Guest:
David Bates, Pints with Jack
Bonus: The podcasters talk about why Lewis remains relevant in 2021.
Narnia book discussions on Pints with Jack:
- The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
- Prince Caspian
- The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
Follow Pints with Jack on YouTube as well.
Rilian, David Bates The post 3 Things in Narnia That Are Pure C.S. Lewis | Talking Beasts appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.