The Lord of the Rings meets The Passion of the Christ? From “Chronicles of Narnia” to be film:
Following collaborations on “Holes,” “Ghosts of the Abyss” and the upcoming “Around the World in 80 Days,” the Walt Disney Co. has struck a deal with Denver billionaire Philip Anschutz’ Walden Media to co-finance and distribute The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.Budgeted at more than $100 million, according to sources, the film is scheduled to begin shooting in the summer, with “Shrek” director Andrew Adamson at the helm.
The film, the first installment of Walden’s “Chronicles of Narnia” franchise based on the series of children’s fantasy books by C.S. Lewis, will be released at Christmas 2005 by Walt Disney Pictures. Under the deal, which includes worldwide distribution rights, merchandising and all ancillary rights, Disney retains the option to release future films in the series, Walt Disney Studios chairman Dick Cook said.
Really, it is a no-brainer.