Douglas Gresham is looking forward to this month's release of Prince Caspian, the second movie based on the Chronicles of Narnia. Gresham is excited not just because he's one of the film's producers, but also because he's the stepson of C. S. Lewis, author of the beloved children's book series.

The first film, The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, was a smashing success, earning $745 million at the box office worldwide. Gresham, 62, has high hopes for the May 16 release of Caspian, which he says is a better movie even though it's based, in his words, on a "poorer" book. He spoke to us by phone from his home in Malta.

What do you think of Prince Caspian?

It's a fabulous film that portrays even more strongly than the book the essential message, which is a return to truth and faith and honor and justice after a millennium of corruption in Narnia. Though it started with a poorer story than The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, I think it has worked out to be a better movie.

Why do you consider Caspian a poorer story?

The book doesn't have the power of the story The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, which is based on the greatest story ever told. You can't really top that.

Many fans thought the first movie didn't capture the awe and majesty of Aslan—that he was far too "safe" of a lion in the movie.

All of the people who talk to me about Aslan were awestruck by him in the movie. I don't know how I'd react to that criticism because for me he's an immensely powerful figure in the movie—and I'm probably the severest critic in the world.

In the book, Caspian is a young teen, but Ben Barnes, who plays the role, is 26. Why wasn't a teenager cast for the role?

We didn't think Caspian should be too young in this movie. Although Ben is older, he plays about 17 and does it very well. But we also need Caspian to be a bit older for the next movie because he becomes the master of The Dawn Treader, and to do that at the age of 17 or 18, with a crew of soldiers and sailors unto you, is not very believable. It was hard to find the very best Caspian, and we decided on Ben largely because of his amazing talent.

What is your official title on the film?

Co-producer. But there isn't really any particular title that describes what I do, because I'm in a unique circumstance of being involved in all facets of the film and everything ancillary to it. I'm involved in the scriptwriting, the merchandise, the marketing—all facets. I think [producer] Mark Johnson put it well when we were filming in Prague, and I was introduced to the American ambassador. The ambassador said, "What does Mr. Gresham do for the project?" And Mark said, "Oh, he's to blame."

That's a funny story, but you also must be feeling enormous weight and responsibility to get it right.

I do feel it's a huge responsibility. I feel that I've inherited almost a sacred trust, and it's up to me to do the very best I can with it.

As the representative of the C. S. Lewis estate, how often do you find yourself on the set or in the editing room asking, "What would Jack do?"

That's not a question I ever ask. The question I ask is, "What would Jack have me do?" And, "What would the Holy Spirit have me do?" I sincerely hope Jack would be thrilled with what I've done with his Narnian stories in film.

I understand you're reluctant to use the phrase "veto power" to describe your role as a producer.

Yes, I'm reluctant to say that. We work very cooperatively; it's almost always a consensus decision. In both movies, there have been things I have disagreed with. So we've all sat around the table and talked until we come up with a decision. I am fairly powerful in personality, and I put my point strongly, and I think people honor that. But we try to come up not with any one person's particular viewpoint, but with the very best solution for the sake of the film, the book, and the audience.

	What did you think of this story?
	Please to give us your feedback.

Read more from 'Today's Culture'

Home  |  People of Faith  |  Stories of Hope  |  Today's Culture
Build Your Faith  |  Laughing Matters  |  Archives  |  Contact Us

				Try an Issue of Today's Christian Free! Name Street Address City/State/Zip E-mail Address No credit card required. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Offer valid in U.S. only. Click here for International orders. If you decide you want to keep Today's Christian coming, honor your invoice for just $17.95 and receive five more issues, a full year in all. If not, simply write "cancel" across the invoice and return it. The trial issue is yours to keep, regardless. Give Today's Christian as a gift Buy 1 gift subscription, get 1 FREE!

FREE Newsletter Subscribe to the Today's Christian Newsletter    RSS Feed   RSS Help