Narnia stars switch on London’s Christmas lights!

I type this article from an Internet cafe high above London’s bustling Oxford Street where hoards of shoppers are navigating their way through the busy department stores on London’s busiest shopping district. We are a stone’s throw away from Regent Street where this year’s Christmas lights have just be turned on by the cast of THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER and last year’s X-Factor winner Joe McElderry.

The Hollywood News was granted back-stage access to the event where we managed to catch up with said stars of the movie, Ben Barnes (King Caspian), Georgie Henley (Lucy) and franchise newcomer Will Poulter (Eustace Clarence Scrubb).

Will Poulter

THN: Hi Will, how are you. I’m Paul from The Hollywood News.

Will Poulter: Hi, how are you doing?

THN: I’m good. Yourself?

Will: Good.

THN: Tell me about working on the film. It’s the first one in 3D…

Will: Yes, the first one in 3D. It was amazing, I hadn’t experienced anything like that before. All of those CGI elements were pretty new to me. I felt like a fan on set… eveything made me gawp and my jaw dropped. It was difficult to hold your attention sometimes. It was amazing for me to be surrounded by so many cool people and it was such an amazing set.

THN: Excellent and you go to work with Michael Apted. What was that like? A legendary director.

Will: Exactly, a legendary director and for someone as young as me to get to work with anyone like that is incredible. I feel so lucky and he is an amazing director and he gave us a lot of laughs on set as well, and also helped us particularly with the emotional scenes and the things that are quite hard. I’m quite young and to be taught to act by someone like that… well you couldn;t ask for more or work under a more talented director. We were very lucky.

THN: Have you seen the finished product yet?

Will: I have yeah. It’s a bit bizarre watching it actually but it brings back all of the happy memories of six months in Australia. reall cool. Really enjoyed it.

THN:  Well, I can’t wait to see it. What’s next for Will. What have you got lined up next?

Will: I am doing a small British independent at the end of he year which I am really excited about. It’s a low budget thing. It’s different to this but I am really looking forward to it.

Ben Barnes

THN: Hi Ben, Paul from The Hollywood News.

Ben Barnes: PAUL!

THN: Sorry (referring to the stage behind). It’s very loud isn’t it?

Ben: It is. Wow.

THN: So Ben, tell us all about it… what can we expect from the next Narnia film?

Ben: Well, I just saw it last week, and I think it’s my favourite actually. It’s got a lot of the kid of magic in and the fairy tale elements that The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe had, and some of the awe and wonder of that, but also some of the action and adventure from the second film. It’s also got a Jason and the Argonauts, old school adventure story feel to it too so yes. It’s really, really fun and easy to watch. There’s so much happening and every second [is exciting]. It’s great that it’s coming out at Christmas too. It’s going to be a really special family blockbuster I hope.

THN: What’s the 3D element like?

Ben: I haven’t seen it in 3D yet as it was converted in post production, but because most of the film is CGI with the dragons and the sea serpents and all that kind of stuff and one footed invisable duffelpuds… they can do a lot with that to kind of make it really dramatic  and in your face… after the fact.

THN: And Michael Apted…

Ben: Yah, he was great. He kind of left me to my own devices a lot, but you know, I was playing a King and he gave me the confidence and authority that I was doing the right kind of thing. He was the first personm there when I had a question or anything and he’s got a great overall vision in keeping the character really part of it and he’s made it really fun and done an amazing job.

Georgie Henley

THN: Hi, how are you?

Georgie: Hi. Nice to meet you.

THN: How are you finding all of this?

Georgie: Oh, I am loving it. The noise… the atmosphere, everything!

THN: It’s really, really busy out there with all of the fans here to see you guys.

Georgie:  I haven’t even seen all of the crowds yet. I have only heard it.

THN: There are thousands of them out there… seriously!

Georgie: Oh my gosh. The anticipation is killing me.

THN: So, Voyage of the Dawn Treader?

Georgie:  Yes, I think that Voyage of the Dawn Treader is going to be the best of the last two films put together. Lucy is a lot more of a teenager. We see her being a bit more human. I wouldn’t say darker, but you see the kind of side to her that most teenage girtls get around her age. So, I think it is going to be very good for the wide-spread public. I think that it’s going to be great!

THN: So have you seen it in all of its 3D glory yet?

Georgie: I have only seen it in 2D. I am really excited about seeing it at the premiere in 3D. The Queen is going to be there so… very excited!

THN: And that’s the first time you would have seen it?

Georgie: Yes, and that’s going to be a new experience on the night.

THN: You obviously loved working on the film then?

Georgie: Such a great experience. New director, because I am not experienced at all. I keep saying experience a lot don’t I? Lovely guy to work with [Michael Apted]. I think that he has made the Narnia series really new and injected some new life into it. I think it’s great!

THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER opens in cinemas on December 9th, and you can check out the Regent Street Christmas lights in London’s West End now. Take a look at some of the snaps below from the night and keep it THN for more coverage leading up to te film’s release.