Second Narnia film offers magic, danger, even catharsis

'chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" is a "completely different world" from the first film of the chronicles, says Mark Johnson, producer of the upcoming second film based on C. S. Lewis’fantasy novels.

"This is a much more physical movie than the first one and it's still cooperating with magic. But I think the sense of danger is much more real."

Johnson, during his recent promotional visit to Tokyo, also said: "What's wonderful about the Narnia franchise is each story is completely different with new characters and new themes. And in fact in all seven books, the only common character is Aslan, The Lion."

"Prince Caspian" opens here on May 21, following the March 16 release in the United States.

In "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" (2005), the Pevensie siblings, Peter (William Moseley), Susan (Anna Popplewell), Edmund (Skandar Keynes) and Lucy (Georgie Henley), discover a wardrobe that leads them to a snowy land of magic, Narnia, where they fight against the evil White Witch (Tilda Swinton) to save the land with Aslan, The Lion, the creator of Narnia (voice by Liam Neeson).

One year after the first adventure, the four children are back in the real world. They are having a hard time readjusting to their normal school life. Meanwhile, in Narnian time, 1,300 years have already passed. The land has been conquered by human Telmarines, and Narnian animals and creatures survive by hiding in the woods. The bloodthirsty Telmarine King Miraz (Sergio Castellitto), who has murdered his brother for the throne, contrives to get rid of the rightful heir, his young nephew Prince Caspian (Ben Barnes), after the birth of his own son. Soon, the Pevensie siblings return to Narnia to bring peace back to the land.

Playing the title character is 26-year-old British newcomer Barnes, who made his film debut with a small role in "Stardust" in 2007.

"We had the most wonderful time filming for seven months in New Zealand, Prague, Poland and Slovenia," said Barnes, also in Tokyo with Johnson. "I am just as excited as any other audience to see what they (the special effects staff) have done with the film. I was a huge fan of the books as a kid."

Johnson said it took six months to find the right actor to play the prince and they finally cast Barnes just as they started shooting.

"I am not exaggerating. We've seen over a thousand actors for the part," Johnson said. "When Ben came in, it was just an electric moment. 'All right, that's our Caspian!'

"Early on, I asked Ben when he first got to New Zealand if he was all right. And he said 'Are you kidding? I am in the most beautiful country in the world. I am learning horse riding and sword fighting. I am a star in a movie. What's there not like?'"

"This is a story about bringing magic back to Narnia. Also, it's very emotional and cathartic story since Prince Caspian has to fight against his own people," Barnes said.

"The first movie is more fairy tale and this is more sort of action film." (IHT/Asahi: April 25,2008)