3rd film relocates production from New Zealand
The third instalment in the ‘Chronicles of Narnia’ franchise is sailing from New Zealand to Mexico.
Production of the first two pics – ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’ and ‘Prince Caspian’ — was largely based in New Zealand because of government tax incentives. Weta Digital and Weta Workshop, which created most of the films’ effects and props, also are based in that country.
But producers of the new pic, ‘Voyage of the Dawn Treader,’ to be directed by Michael Apted, needed several large soundstages plus a massive water tank. Title of the film refers to the ship that serves as a major set piece.
Because of that, production will move to Rosarito, Mexico, and set up shop at Baja Studios, where ‘Titanic,’ ‘Deep Blue Sea” and ‘Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World”‘ were shot.
EXTRAs: ‘Prince Caspian’ has so far earned $316 million worldwide. It’s prequel ‘The Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe’ earned $745 million worldwide.