Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, the screenwriters on the upcoming The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, have just posted the following comments at the film’s official blog:
. . . As writers, the biggest challenge we faced was connecting the Pevensies’ story to that of Prince Caspian. In C. S. Lewis’ book, they’re essentially two separate narratives which only come together near the end. While this is perfectly entertaining to read, it makes for a strangely structured movie where your favorite characters are absent for long stretches at a time.
Consequently, we decided to weave the two plots together early, bringing the Pevensies into Narnia near the start and giving them a greater role in Caspian’s journey. This not only helped on a structural level, it also allowed us to take advantage of the alliances and antagonisms that would evolve when we tossed three kings and two queens together into the same room — or underground chamber, as the case may be.
Another intriguing thing for us in revisiting these characters has been exploring the effects their experiences in the first film might’ve had on them. It’s an area Lewis leaves mostly untouched. He memorably examines what it would be like for a 1940’s schoolkid to become King of Narnia. However, he doesn’t much consider what it would be like for a King of Narnia to return to being a 1940’s schoolkid.
That year back in London must have been awkward at best. Imagine going from giving orders…to taking them. From fighting wars and throwing royal balls…to doing homework. Given their different personalities, each Pevensie handles the situation with varying levels of success. Some are resigned, others frustrated, and their sudden return to Narnia should push different buttons in each. . . .
They have an interesting point. But I quiver at what the makers of that Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe movie will do with it.
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