Ireland being scouted for Prince Caspian locations

According to this article, scouts are checking out different locations in Ireland to film the next Narnia movie, "Prince Caspian."

Ireland is being targeted as a likely location for a sequel to the Christmas movie blockbuster ’The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’. Disney scouts are here checking out locations in several counties for ’Prince Caspian’, based on the next book in Belfast-born author CS Lewis’s ’The Chronicles of Narnia’ series. Irish film industry chiefs are keeping their fingers crossed that Disney will opt for Ireland. More than €200m was spent on the production of ’The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’, which was made in New Zealand and has already grossed €600m worldwide since its December release.

There have been secret talks with Irish filmmakers who, if the venture goes ahead, would be involved as co-producers of ’Prince Caspian’. A top industry source said: "The location scouts have been here for two weeks. They have also been looking at sites in Britain. "They know from previous experience what is available in terms of production facilities in Ireland. We're hoping they will find locations here that suit.

"They have to make their minds up pretty soon. They want to start filming by autumn. They want to use the same young actors who played the characters in 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe'." Director Andrew Adamson said: "If we don't make it now we'll never be able to, because they will be too old."

Another Irish Independent article continues to report how Ireland is fighting hard to win the sites for "Prince Caspian's" sets, in competition with New Zealand and the Czech Republic.

IRELAND is pitching itself as a production location for the $100m plus budget Prince Caspian, the second part of the Narnia trilogy, following last week's doubling of the film tax break. Narnia maker Walden Media has met with an Irish co-production company and scouted the country for possible locations. A high-level government delegation is to travel to Hollywood next month to promote Irish film, and further talks with Narnia executives are planned. However, New Zealand and the Czech Republic are also lobbying hard for the film. "The Irish Film Board welcomes the significant changes to Section 481 and anticipates an increased level of production in coming months," says commissioner Naoise Barry.

Thanks to NarniaWeb for the tip!

Prince Caspian to Start Production

According to Variety, Prince Caspian is due to start production during the 4th quarter of (presumably) 2006. A script has already been in the works, and a director should be selected soon.

The success of "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," the first published in the C.S. Lewis series but second chronologically, is spurring plans for a sequel based on the next title, "Prince Caspian." [Walden Media CEO Cary] Granat said work on a script is under way, with plans to tap a director within a few weeks. "We're planning on starting production by the fourth quarter of next year," Granat said.

This article from Monsters and Critics also corroborates the news. According to this report, Douglas Gresham--CS Lewis' stepson and co-producer of "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe"--has apparently started his work on Prince Caspian as well.

Thanks to NarniaWeb for the head's up!