LONDON, England (Reuters) -- Disney's first Narnia film opened in London on Thursday, launching what promises to be one of the hottest box office battles in years as the studio takes on the hugely successful Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings franchises.
Britain's Prince Charles and his wife Camilla were among the guests on the red carpet at the Royal Albert Hall for the world premiere of "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe", based on C.S. Lewis' classic children's story.
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", was expected to hit theaters as early as June 2008.
I am not always a huge opening weekend fan (sometimes, I guess), but count me in-- I am RUNNING to the theater as soon as possible. This is a once in a lifetime experience that I refuse to miss out on.
12-08-2005 04:22 AM
