News for Oct. 09, 2005

On target: Disney's `Narnia' seeks a faith-based audience

10/09/05, 10:14 pm EST - Xoanon

Walt Disney Studios is hoping that the same kind of church-based campaign that helped turn "The Passion of the Christ" into a blockbuster will convert C.S. Lewis' children's classic "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" into a big-screen franchise -- with "Lion King"-size profits. Directed by Andrew Adamson ("Shrek"), the $150-million mix of computer-generated imagery and live action is due out Dec. 9 from Disney and Walden Media. Based on the first installment in a book series that has sold a combined 90 million copies over 55 years, the project seems tailor-made for the faith and family market. [More]