In a letter to a BBC producer named Lance Sieveking, the late C.S. Lewis (died in 1963) wrote that he would be extremely unhappy with any attempt to make his “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe” into a live-action on-screen feature.
He did suggest he might approve of a cartoon version, but only if Disney was not involved.
“I am absolutely opposed…to a TV version,” Lewis said in the letter. “Anthropomorphic animals, when taken out of narrative into actual visibility, always turn into buffoonery or nightmare…at least with photography.”
Lewis commenting on Walt Disney had this to say, “Cartoons (if only Disney did not combine so much vulgarity with his genius!) would be another matter. A human pantominie, Aslan would be, to me blasphemy.”
Well C.S., I hope you’re not watching because not only is Disney behind this gigantic undertaking, it’s coming to a screen as big as a house.
Source: CNN Entertainment
One has to wonder if C.S. Lewis would feel the same way in light of CGI animation. He’d probably still be tick off that Disney was involved though.
All C.S. Lewis had to go on was Snow White and Bambie. I think he’d have something else to say if he’d seen what WETA did with “Lord of the Rings”.
Also I think it’s kinda funny that the letter was sent to the BBC, who later went on to make a mini series in the 80’s using midgets in animal suits.
J
I agree with Rhettro.
Back in his day, Lewis couldn’t possibly imagine a computer–let alone a computer the size of a pack of smokes–or CGI.
When I heard Disney had a hand in LW&tW, my heart sank. When I saw the trailer, it felt overblown. WAY overblown.
I don’t know. Maybe it’ll be ok. Anyone seen any previews?