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I can't help but notice in all of these recent interviews, that while Michael Apted hasn't said he's going to return for whatever Narnia movie they decide to film next, he also hasn't said that he won't return. Which I find very interesting.

Obviously my final opinion on whether or not I want him to return depends on whether or not I like VDT, but what I've seen so far for the most part I like quite a bit, and as of right now, I'd be thrilled for Michael Apted to return.

What do you all think?

I'd be happy I think, all though I'd have to see VDT first. I'd be equally happy if Adamson came back too, but if they were to do SC and MN simultaneously, I'd prefer Apted with MN and Adamson with SC. But I wouldn't mind if someone else filmed it as long as its close to their heart and they have a good vision for the movie.

when the 3rd trailer first came out I was really mad and I didn't want Apted back for SC but since then I have cooled and with all the positive reviews the movie has been getting from NarniaWebbers I think I would like for him to come back, though anyone who can get it right would be welcome by me

I did ask Michael Apted about directing another Narnia Movie at the Beverly Center Friday, November 12th. I'm pretty sure I was specific about the Silver Chair but I can't here my own question on my little digital recorder.

But I can hear his answer and it is that it took 3.5 years for him to start and finish VDT and that he doesn't know how much time there is left to do things. I took this as due to his age (69) and maybe he is thinking of retiring soon. He appears to be in very good health and shape for his age.

But all that experience really pays off. Look at director Cecil B. DeMille's age when he directed his largest and most successful production released in 1956:

IMDB Trivia for 'The Ten Commandements' wrote:Producer/Director Cecil B. DeMille reached 75 years of age during the production of this film, making him the oldest working Hollywood director. He later suffered a heart-attack on the set, returning to the set only two days later. After this was completed, he planned on another epic production. He died in 1959, before he could direct or produce another, making this his final film.

DeMille did have health issues but nowadays people are living longer and are healthier at that age. So if VDT is successful and I like it, I wouldn't mind if Michael Apted came back for another Narnia movie.

Didn't Mark Johnson say that he would get a different director for each Narnia film?

I'll have to see VDT before I can form any kind of opinion on him...

I was very sorry to lose Andrew Adamson as director... hopefully he'll come back to do a few movies.


~Riella

I hope he returns!

Bumping this thread up.

I hope that he doens't return. I would like Adamson or some new blood.

I don't have anything too wrong with Apted, but I agree that I don't really want him to come back. I don't think he's a bad director, because I've heard a lot of good things about "Amazing Grace." But the Narnia books don't really seem to be something he really understands well (I may be wrong), and unless he made another Narnia film that actually was a great adaption, I don't see him doing well at adapting these books.

I wouldn't mind Adamson coming back (if he was willing and really interested in making an awesome adaption), and if there's a director out there with a strong passion and yet wisdom for creating a Narnia movie out there, I'm more than willing to give him a try ( ), but as for Apted, I doubt I'd be very happy if he came back.

GlimGlum wrote:So if VDT is successful and I like it, I wouldn't mind if Michael Apted came back for another Narnia movie.

I've since changed my mind after reading some of his comments in this news story from December 7th. Michael Apted Voices Concern Over Narnia’s Future

I don't think he should come back nor will he; although I did like VDT as an escapist-Saturday-matinee kind of entertainment. Narnia needs a director who believes in the books and doesn't believe major revisions of and additions to the stories are necessary to make the films. (IMHO).

That article you linked to doesn't seem to be available any more, GlimGlum. Reading the associated NarniaWeb article certainly suggests to me, though, that whilst doing VDT Apted did have SC in mind, and would probably agree to do that movie, having set up VDT to do SC. It certainly doesn't suggest he would want to do a MN movie in any case.

However, I believe that Michael Apted won't be available for any Narnia filming anyway in 2012 or late 2011 since he will be due to make the next 7 up series. This will be 56 up. Given that he has followed this bunch of children all the way since 1964, when 7 up was first made, I expect this will be the final one in that series. By the time the original children will reach 63 they will be thinking about retirement, and the only thing interesting by the time 70 comes around is to see how many are still alive and well. That is, if Apted is still around himself.

I talked with Michael on this subject here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgmaRZ1g0aM

He said he'd like to return.

I'm not sure if he will, personally.

I dont think he should.They should get Andrew Adamson. I say that because he adapted the books to the movies very good. Nothing against michael, but he didnt really do a good job on directing the movie.

I want Adamson Back, as bad as he mistook ideas from the books, he did a lot better job than Apted. Sigh... I had such high hopes. I would prefer Adamson; but I think we're all hoping in our heart of hearts that Jackson will do it . (Hey, I can dream, can't I? )

Shy Galadriel wrote:I want Adamson Back

So do I! His movies about Narnia have something great what's difficult to explain, but it's lack is notable when he's out.

Apted is an outstanding director, and I like VDT very much, but... I want Adamson back in Narnia!

I want Apted to return for Silver Chair, because it seems they are tieing those 2 films together with some common plot. Adamson should do Horse And His Boy, he's really good and experienced in battle scenes after Prince Caspian. So Magician's Nephew, probably the next one, Adamson would be okay as long as he doesn't make a battlefield of London (just a chase sequence with the White Witch is more than enough).