Work begins on second 'Narnia' movie

Disney and Walden Media have entered pre-production on The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, it was announced this morning.

Andrew Adamson will return to the director's chair to tell the story of the Pevensie children's next cinematic adventure, adapted from C.S. Lewis' book by Adamson, Christopher Markus and Steve McFeeley.

Prince Caspian was originally published in 1951 as a continuation of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. It sees the children return to Narnia, where a thousand years have passed since their last visit, and are again called upon to fend off a villain who stands in the way of the land's rightful Prince.

Disney chairman Dick Cook commented: "Moviegoers around the world were unanimous in their love and enthusiasm for The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, and Prince Caspian offers lots of new thrills and adventures in this magical land. The C. S. Lewis books are a rich source of inspiration for great storytelling, and this book spotlights some wonderful new heroes, and villains, along with many of the characters we came to love so much in the first film."

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, which has so far grossed over £359.3 million at the international box office, was nominated for three Academy Awards earlier this week, with nods in the categories for make-up, sound mixing and visual effects.

Production on Prince Caspian will commence later this year, with a view to a Christmas 2007 release.