Latest news with #theWitchandtheWardrobe
See - Sada Elbalad
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- See - Sada Elbalad
Carey Mulligan Eyed to Star in Greta Gerwig's "Narnia"
Yara Sameh Carey Mulligan is in negotiations to star in Greta Gerwig's 'Chronicles of Narnia' adaptation at Netflix. If the deal closes, Mulligan will join the previously announced cast of Daniel Craig, Meryl Streep and Emma Mackey. In her much-anticipated 'Barbie' follow-up, Gerwig is writing and directing the fantasy adventure, which follows 'The Magician's Nephew' — the sixth novel in the series by author C.S. Lewis. The story serves as a prequel to 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' and centers on the creation of Narnia by Aslan the lion (voiced by Streep). Two children, Digory and Polly, are the first to discover the 'Wood between the Worlds' after an uncle (Craig) gives the two friends a magical ring. Mackey is playing the Jadis, also known as the White Witch, the antagonist of the series, while Mulligan is expected to portray Digory's ill mother. The film's young leads have yet to be cast. Netflix acquired rights to the 'Narnia' book series in 2018 and announced plans to develop new films and television shows around the fantastical world. The multi-year deal marked the first time that rights to all seven novels were held by the same company. Three prior films, 2005's 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,' 2008's 'Prince Caspian' and 2010's 'The Voyage of the Dawn Treader' were adapted at 20th Century and Disney. Gerwig's untitled 'Narnia' film is expected to open in Imax around Thanksgiving Day 2026. The movie will screen worldwide exclusively on the company's premium large format screens for two weeks in advance of its Netflix debut around Christmas. Mulligan has three Oscar nominations for her performances in Emerald Fennell's 'Promising Young Woman,' Bradley Cooper's Leonard Bernstein biopic 'Maestro,' and the coming-of-age drama 'An Education.' read more New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6 Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival Arts & Culture Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos Arts & Culture "The Flash" to End with Season 9 Arts & Culture Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival Arts & Culture Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha News Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Arts & Culture Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Carey Mulligan joins cast of Greta Gerwig's Narnia adaptation
Carey Mulligan is reportedly in talks to join the cast of Narnia, Greta Gerwig's forthcoming adaptation of CS Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia fantasy novel series. The first instalment of the Oscar-nominated director's two-part film series will be released for a two-week run in Imax theatres worldwide next November, before moving to Netflix on Christmas Day, 2026. Gerwig's film will be based on the sixth novel in Lewis' series, The Magician's Nephew, which is a prequel to the series and features the creation of Narnia by Aslan the lion, one thousand years before the events that take place in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. The Magician's Nephew follows two children, Digory and Polly, who are subject to the White Witch's fury after their uncle dabbles with magic. In huge casting news for Gerwig's first directorial project since 2023's record-breaking Barbie, Mulligan will play Digory's critically ill mother, per The Hollywood Reporter. Mulligan, considered by many the leading English star of her generation, has been nominated for the Best Actress Oscar three times for her performances in Bradley Cooper's Maestro (2023), Emerald Fennell's Promising Young Woman (2020) and Lone Scherfig's An Education (2009). Casting rumours have been flying about Narnia, with Meryl Streep reportedly in talks to voice Aslan. There's also been speculation that Daniel Craig will play the children's uncle and Barbie and Sex Education star Emma Mackey is set to play Jadis, the White Witch, following rumours that pop star Charli XCX was previously under consideration for the role. The Independent has contacted Netflix for comment. Published between 1950 to 1956, Lewis' bestselling book series chronicles the adventures of various children who are transported into the fictional world of Narnia. Three of the seven titles have been adapted for the big screen, including The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005), Prince Caspian (2008) and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010). Gerwig became attached to the new project in 2020, the same year her critically acclaimed Little Women adaptation was nominated for several Oscars. Before that, her solo directorial debut, Lady Bird (2017), also earned numerous Oscar nods. She has since continued to blaze trails in the film industry. In 2023, her Barbie comedy, starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, raked in over $1bn at the box office, making her the highest-grossing female director of all time.
Irish Daily Mirror
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Chronicles of Narnia's cast now - from politics to Hollywood
This year marks the 75th anniversary of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the inaugural book in C.S. Lewis' cherished Chronicles of Narnia series. Since its debut in 1950, the series has captivated generations of readers with its blend of fantasy, wartime fortitude, and spiritual allegory. The film trilogy from 2005 to 2010 brought this world to life for a new generation, combining pioneering visual effects with heartening performances from a largely unknown cast at the time. Many of the stars have since forged varied careers both on and off the screen - some venturing into Hollywood, others into politics and academia. Here's a look at what happened to the stars who made Narnia so magical: In her first acting role, Georgie portrayed Lucy, the youngest of the four siblings and the one who initiates their entire journey after accidentally discovering the world of Narnia through the wardrobe, reports the Daily Record. She played Lucy from ages 10 to 15, earning acting awards and critical praise for her performance. Concurrently, she had a minor role as the younger version of the title character in BBC's Jane Eyre. Following her success in Narnia, Georgie took on lead roles in Perfect Sisters (2014) - a crime drama about two Canadian girls who murder their mother - and The Sisterhood of Night (2015) - a teenage mystery thriller. She pursued English studies at the University of Cambridge, where she was involved in several plays and even dabbled in directing a short film. Since 2018, Georgie has had sporadic roles on TV and documentary films. She currently lives in London and identifies as queer. The most controversial of the four siblings - who traded his family's loyalty for some Turkish delight - hasn't shown much enthusiasm in maintaining his acting career since the series concluded, despite numerous award nominations and media acclaim. Instead, his academic achievements are quite remarkable. His lineage already suggested such aspirations: he's the great-great-great-grandson of Charles Darwin, the great-nephew of economist John Maynard Keynes, and part of a family tree brimming with Cambridge professors and Middle Eastern historians. On his mother's side, he is of Lebanese heritage and the grandson of writer and diplomat Cecil Hourani. He achieved a Double First in Middle Eastern Studies at Pembroke College, Cambridge, specialising in Arabic and Persian. His dissertation compared the teaching of history in Iran and Saudi Arabia, and he spent a year living in Beirut to perfect his colloquial Arabic. From 2015 to 2018, he served as a parliamentary adviser in the UK House of Commons, accompanying MPs on diplomatic visits across the Middle East and North Africa. Today, he is a political consultant and remains deeply involved in Middle Eastern policy. In his leisure time, Skandar enjoys playing the guitar, flute and cornet, running marathons, engaging in extreme sports, and supporting conservation projects globally. Anna Popplewell played Susan Pevensie, the second eldest sibling known for her logical thinking and maturity - characteristics that often conflicted with the magic and wonder of Narnia. Her performance across three films garnered her a dedicated fan base and a nomination for a Young Artist Award. At the time of her Narnia casting, Anna had already gained experience in period dramas, including Girl with a Pearl Earring and Love in a Cold Climate. Post-Narnia, Anna featured in the war romance Me and Orson Welles (2008) and starred as Lady Lola in the CW's Reign from 2013 to 2016 - a role that marked her transition into more mature, politically driven narratives. She has also lent her voice to characters in video games and audio dramas, most recently appearing in The Left Right Game and Amazon's The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne. Beyond acting, Anna studied English Literature at Oxford's Magdalen College and has spoken publicly about the challenge of balancing academic life with a childhood spent on film sets. Although she is more selective with her on-screen roles these days, she continues to act on stage and in independent productions. Since taking on the role of Peter, the eldest Pevensie sibling, William has carved out a successful career in both film and television. During his time in Narnia, he bagged acting awards in the UK and across the globe for his portrayal of Peter, but that wasn't the end of his achievements. William landed roles in the action-packed thriller Run (2013), the adventure drama The Silent Mountain (2014) - where he was struck by lightning, leaving him with a scar on his arm - and the Hindi-language coming-of-age film Margarita with a Straw (2015). His second major role was in the E! Original series The Royals as Prince Liam, which he likened to "like (if) Prince Harry was thrown into being the next King of England. He basically is sort of a rebel.." Following this, he appeared in the chilling Friend Request (2016), the eerie My Sweet Audrina (2016), the dystopian The Veil (2017), among other successful ventures. Additionally, William starred in a music video for The Living Tombstone's 'Long Time Friends', and was romantically involved with Kelsey Asbille, whom he met on the set of Run, from 2012 until 2018. His latest appearance was in the supernatural horror flick Home Sweet Home Rebirth (2025), inspired by the 2017 Thai video game bearing the same title. In the role that endeared him to a younger audience, James McAvoy portrayed the faun Mr. Tumnus - Lucy Pevensie's initial friend in Narnia. Although already recognised in the UK for his television roles in Shameless and State of Play, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005) marked McAvoy's first significant Hollywood outing. James two years later, he catapulted into international fame with his BAFTA-nominated performance in Atonement (2007), followed by the action-packed thriller Wanted (2008) and the memorable portrayal of young Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men prequels, which he embodied from 2011 to 2019. Whether on screen or stage, James has consistently opted for unpredictable and demanding roles - such as his lauded solo stage act in Cyrano de Bergerac (2019–2022) or his spine-chilling dual role in M. Night Shyamalan's Split (2016) and Glass (2019). He has been nominated for numerous BAFTAs and Olivier Awards, and is widely regarded as one of the UK's most esteemed actors. Away from the limelight, James has discreetly supported children's charities in both Scotland and Africa and currently resides in London with his wife, production assistant Lisa Liberati. Already a captivating enigma in British cinema, Tilda Swinton brought a chilling threat to her portrayal of the antagonist Jadis, the White Witch of Narnia. Tilda's career took off with experimental films and collaborations with Derek Jarman, before she gained international recognition for roles in Orlando (1992), The Deep End (2001), and The Chronicles of Narnia. In 2008, she bagged an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Michael Clayton, and has since carved a niche for herself by opting for ambitious, art-house projects like We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011), Only Lovers Left Alive (2013), and numerous collaborations with Wes Anderson. A virtuoso of transformation, Tilda has embodied characters of various ages, genders and species, often blurring the boundaries between performance and performance art. She's also been outspoken about her Scottish roots, her unconventional approach to gender, and her commitment to experimental cinema. She now resides in the Highlands of Scotland and works worldwide on films that span from indie projects to Marvel blockbusters like Doctor Strange (2016). Entrusted with voicing one of the most iconic characters in children's literature, Liam Neeson took on the role of Aslan, the noble lion and spiritual guide of Narnia. Prior to Narnia, Liam had already become a familiar name owing to Oscar-nominated roles in Schindler's List (1993), Michael Collins (1996), and Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (1999). After his stint with Aslan, he enjoyed an unexpected resurgence as an action hero in the Taken trilogy (2008–2014), which reshaped his career and public persona. He continued to feature in a host of thrillers, from The Grey (2011) to Non-Stop (2014), whilst also taking on character-centric dramas and lending his voice to animated films like The Lego Movie. Hailing from Northern Ireland, he has openly discussed his Catholic upbringing, the tragic loss of his wife Natasha Richardson in 2009, and his enduring commitment to human rights.
New European
10-05-2025
- Politics
- New European
Looking at borders from both sides now
In compiling this unusual and highly readable guide to the geography and history of Europe's dividing lines, Baston travelled to 29 borders over a five-year period in order to investigate how mere lines on a map, drawn and then re-drawn countless times, have played such a crucial role in determining the continent's history. 'I guess it was The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe that first got me thinking about borders' says Lewis Baston, author of Borderlines (now just out in paperback): 'The idea that there is this line on the ground and somehow, things are different on the other side always intrigued me.' The idea of writing something about the patchwork nations of Europe had always been at the back of Baston's mind, but it was the twin shocks of Brexit and the first election of Donald Trump that gave him the impetus to start on his epic journey – all made by public transport and much of it on foot. He began, as does the book, with our very own border between Northern Ireland and the Republic – a border that has caused the two countries so many difficulties. Yet the border itself is an almost arbitrary line on a map, drawn for political and religious reasons not representing any significant linguistic or ethnic differences. 'British and Irish history are not separate from European history,' Baston observes. 'Many of the same issues that cropped up along the Irish border – problems of identifying and maintaining it and finding ways to work round it – were cropping up all the time in the formation of other European borders. It reminded me how deeply embedded we are in European history.' But it wasn't just the flashpoint borders that Baston travelled to but also the more unusual ones. The town of Baarle, for example, which is in Belgium …and the Netherlands with the border between the two countries running higgledy-piggledy through the town, resulting in houses with the border running straight through their front door and others with two doors, one in each country. The police run a joint 'international' patrol and the council chamber has the border running down the middle with members having to ensure that they only vote on issues that affect their 'country'. The town of Baarle has houses with the border running straight through their front door Other peculiarities include Valga-Valka where children rock gently on a playground swing that one moment is in Estonia and the next in Latvia; or Campione d'Italia, an Italian town on the shores of Lake Lugano, which is completely surrounded by Switzerland and can only be reached by passing through Swiss waters by those desperate to reach its monstrously shaped casino. Campione d'Italia an only be reached by passing through Swiss waters But peculiarities aside, one of the most haunting images in the book is of the Triplex Confinium, which marks the borderlines between Hungary, Serbia and Romania – originally agreed in the Trianon Treaty of 1920. The tri-borders are marked by a rather forlorn obelisk set in a bleak landscape – and for Hungarians, it commemorates the point at which 'greater Hungary' became 'lesser Hungary' as a result of it being on the losing side when first world war hostilities finally ended. The treaty created a Hungary that consisted of just 28% of its pre-war territory and a population reduced from almost 30 million to just over seven million. A historical memory that the prime minister Viktor Orban never misses an opportunity to exploit as an example of how Europe is against the Hungarians (his message has decreasing effectiveness if current polls are to be believed). As Baston criss-crossed this border he was stopped at the Hungarian-Serbian part. 'The border guard asked me the purpose of my visit. I explained how I was tracking borders. He replied, 'That's odd, but everyone needs a hobby I guess'.' He admits that 'there's a certain mileage you can get out of being an eccentric Englishman.' Baston, a historian by trade, has had a lifelong fascination with borders and not just the places themselves but the sort of 'outsider' mentality they can induce. He points out that being on the wrong side of a border can be as significant as being inside, slightly mischievously he notes that: 'The birthplaces of Hitler, Stalin and Napoleon were all located in peripheral entities, outside the borders of the 'mother country'' But the book, and the places that Baston explores, aren't all just about the negative aspects of borders – experiencing the cultures of more than one country can be enriching. His prime example of this is the city of Chernivtsi which stands at the confluence of Ukraine, Moldova and Romania. Historically located in Bukovina, an area of Europe that never had its own sovereign identity 'a borderland par excellence', as Baston describes it. Now in western Ukraine, Chernivtsi was formerly part of the Soviet Union, and before that in Romania, and before that part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Baston describes its real 'personality' though as Habsburg, a term he finds redolent of the essence of Europe: 'One third of the countries that make up the EU had their roots in the old Habsburg Empire' he observes. Chernivtsi is, for Baston, a symbol of Europe – rich in culture, architecture and learning Chernivtsi is, for Baston, a symbol of Europe – rich in culture, architecture and learning. It has survived any number of invasions and regime changes but remains a reminder of how borders can be sources of inspiration and positivity rather than demarcation lines of war, conflict and ethnic hatred. And Baston's book is a timely reminder that what unites we Europeans is infinitely greater than any temporary dividing lines. Borderlines: A history of Europe told from the edges by Lewis Baston is published by Hodderpress, hardback £25 paperback £10.99
Telegraph
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
There's nothing wrong with fondling Molly Malone's statue
There's a folder on my iCloud's photo storage labelled 'art' that I may need to delete before the sex police haul me off to the gulag. For every snap of me grinning happily by a Van Gogh masterpiece, there's another of me goosing a statue, generally male. I freely admit I find it hard to visit Cambridgeshire's Anglesey Abbey without visiting the Colossal Bacchus with Panther and giving his non-colossal marble member a fond pat. Partly because the garden's pagan sculptures always make me think of the impish moving statue in Peter Greenaway's film The Draughtsman's Contract and partly – to state the glaringly obvious – that being drawn to representations of the naked human form is an instinctive and time-honoured impulse. From the Greek myth of Pygmalion to CS Lewis's The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, there's been a lurking fear and hope that cold stone might spring to life. But statue-fondling is now an endangered pastime, with self-appointed decency monitors denouncing the practice. This week a 23-year-old Dublin student, Tilly Cripwell, announced a campaign to stop tourists buffing the bronze breasts of the city's Molly Malone sculpture (believing the gesture brings luck) by raising her on a plinth. Cripwell, who often busks close to the figure, views the bronze-handling as 'disgusting behaviour' that violates 'one of the few representations of women in Irish culture.' I would find her outrage more convincing if Malone was a verified historical figure, rather than the coquettish subject of a popular ditty, and if the figure's breasts weren't so cartoonishly large (the late sculptor Jeanne Rhynhart appears to have channelled Barbie). Even Dubliners affectionately refer to the sculpture as 'the tart with the cart'. Yes, I know this sounds close to statue blaming; but can we all remember for a second that we're discussing an inanimate object and, for that matter, a decidedly ropey work of art. If you want to seek love's blessings from a rather better statue, try Verona where you can queue at the Casa di Giulietta to touch the polished right breast of Romeo's innamorata. So popular is this fertility ritual with both sexes that Juliet's breast wore thin, meaning a replica was installed in 2014 – only for the copy to develop a small cavity too. There was a brief public contretemps about the petting but, this being Italy, the scales tipped in favour of sensuality. In Paris, meanwhile, nobody appears too outraged about the shiny, caressed breasts of the Buste de Dalida (an iconic 70s' chanteuse) in Montmartre. Quite right too. There are plenty of examples of male sculptures being pawed by an adoring public – especially if you count the much-massaged testicles of Arturo Di Modica's charging bronze bull on Wall Street. Another fine Parisian example is the tomb of 19 th -century journalist Victor Noir, who died duelling. His prostrate effigy boasts a gleaming crotch and lips from the thousands who subscribe to the story that getting handsy or smoochy will enhance their fertility and general desirability. The city's authorities had a brief fit of the vapours in 2004 and installed a fence, but it was taken down after a public outcry. There are limits, of course. No one would wish Parliament Square's dignified statue of British suffragist leader, Millicent Garrett Fawcett, to be manhandled. It was bad enough when trans rights protestors defaced her image with graffiti last month. An act which starkly demonstrated our current schizophrenic attitude towards public sculptures: are they there to be embraced, defaced or pushed in a river? In my view, a little light fondling is vastly preferable to vandalism.
