How NOT to do Jill meeting Aslan

[Lilygloves]

I think they'll probably change Jill's reason for meeting Aslan. She has to talk to Aslan because she's dying of thirst and it doesn't occur to her to not believe the lion. A lot of her need to drink from this one stream comes from the narration and it might be awkward to translate on screen. I think if the movie expected the audience to believe a girl would walk past a lion just for a drink of water it wouldn't go well.
I can't think of another way to set up her meeting with Aslan but I wouldn't be surprised if they changed it. If they don't, I'll be pleasantly surprised.

[Anfinwen]

I think they'll probably change Jill's reason for meeting Aslan. She has to talk to Aslan because she's dying of thirst and it doesn't occur to her to not believe the lion. A lot of her need to drink from this one stream comes from the narration and it might be awkward to translate on screen

That actually makes a lot of sense. There is a lot of imagery and symbolism in water so I like it in the books, but I can see how it could be cumbersome and weird in the movie. I could easily see them just having Jill run back through the woods trying to get back to England and out of this nightmare. (Also good imagery, running from mistakes, responsibility etc. just the way she ran from bullies) I'd rather them change this than spend too much time on it and cut other things short.

[narnia fan 7]

I think if the movie expected the audience to believe a girl would walk past a lion just for a drink of water it wouldn't go well.

I don't really see how that would be pushing audience's suspension of disbelief. Jill is understandably terrified of Aslan and doesn't want to go near him, but is put in a position were she has no choice but to trust him. If they make her initial fear of Aslan believable I don't think audiences would really question it.

[JFG II]

How NOT to Adapt Jill meeting Aslan (My Own Opinion):

- By cutting it and replacing it with something more exciting.
(In that gave, get a new screenwriter.)
- By letting the focus of the scene go all over the place.
(An inconsistent tone.)
- By failing to sell the fact that Jill is scared, and that Aslan is dangerous.
(Jill's a little girl, Aslan isn't a tame lion.)
- By overempahsizing the fact that Jill feels oppressed and that Aslan is an authority figure.
(This isn't the 90's anymore. Or the 60's. [But don't make the inverse, either: Making Jill the Pinnochio of the story who needs teaching... and just over-moralizing the story. I love Pinocchio by the way...] )
- By being slavishly faithful to the book without elaborating on the emotional
or thematic undercurrents of the scene.
(Like the BBC version. Go figure.)
- By rushing through it.
(Great point, Mr. Glumpuddle.)

( HOW to do Jill meeting Aslan [My Own Opinion]

Jill [played by a actress no older than 12], confronts Aslan [played by a talented actor, younger than Liam Neeson, but still with a deep and intimidating voice] and the scene plays out, more-or-less, as it does in the book. Except, this time, there is an emotional perspective that wasnt in the book. C.S. Lewis lets you fill in the blanks with your own feelings, but the adaptation could subtly give Jill emotions that are half-fright and half-anger. She's afraid of what Aslan could do to her, and yet she's angry as well. Angry for having to do what she's told by yet another elder. Angry at herself for pushing Scrubb off a cliff. Angry that she's afraid at all. For example: When she lets down her guard to drink from the stream, she glares at Aslan for a second before taking her eyes off him. [Her I-don't-care. Eat-me. Look.] Aslan may be hurt by this, and maybe just offended. When Aslan makes her stand in front of him, her anger slowly fades into grief and then shame. When Aslan questions her as to why the boy fell off the edge, she can't contol herself and begins to weep. Aslan waits for her. Eventually she regains her composure, and concludes that she was showing off. Aslan pardons this, and then explains that the boy is safe. Jill is noticably elated by this. The rest of the scene plays out similar to the book, with the exception that the audience already [think they know] what Caspian and his Queen will look like [probably from a prologue that shows Young-Caspian, his Young Wife and their infant son, something Eustace would expect...] )

I don't know, guys. I keep editing this. I'm a perfectionist.
What do YOU think of all this?
Could it work on screen?
Am I just a crazy nerdy fan right now?

[coracle]

Oh I do like that.
Now to find someone to carry out your wishes!