News for Dec. 07, 2005

Narnia film premieres, aims to match Potter, Rings

12/07/05, 7:26 pm EST - Xoanon

LONDON (Reuters) - Move over Pottermaniacs. Here come the Narniacs. In the battle of the fantasy film franchise, Disney's first Narnia installment aims to match the huge success of the four Harry Potter movies and the Lord of the Rings trilogy. "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" gets its royal world premiere at the Albert Hall in London on Wednesday, with Britain's Prince Charles and his wife Camilla among those expected to grace the red carpet. No expense has been spared in one of the hottest box office battles in recent years. With an estimated production and marketing budget of $250 million, the first Narnia film is a must-win movie for the loss-making Disney Studios, and paves the way for up to six more films based on C.S. Lewis' seven-book series. A second film, based on "Prince Caspian," is expected to hit theatres as early as the summer of 2008. [More]