From action-figure.com: Hasbro surprised us today, with their upcoming Chronicles of Narnia figures, which I think a lot of LOTR fans will go nuts over. It's unusual to hear me gush about a Hasbro product, not because of any issues with the company, it's just very few of their items are comparable to the best out there. However, that could all change as Hasbro will be releasing thier Chronicles of Narnia Toys 6 weeks before the movie. Hasbro has the master toy license for the upcoming "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe" movie adaption, and were showing a number of lines at the UK ToyFair. [More]

From NarniaWeb (via usteckytydenik.cz) A Czech news site has posted 42 pictures from the winter shooting currently going on in the Czech Republic. Most of the pictures show props being used in the film. Notably, we get a very nice view of the door to Tumnus’ cave. [More] [Article]

Cinema Confidential writes: With remarkable performances in films like “Young Adam,” “The Deep End,” and Tim Roth’s “The War Zone,” Tilda Swinton has quietly built a reputation as one of the most striking actresses on the independent scene. But come next December, moviegoers are likely to see Swinton in a very different light. As Jadis, the White Witch, Swinton has taken on the most anticipated role in one of this year’s most anticipated studio films- “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe.” When I meet Swinton on the first day of my weeklong visit to Narnia’s New Zealand set, she doesn’t look much like the diabolical White Witch. Dressed simply in slacks (no sweeping robes or excessive makeup for this actress), Swinton spent several minutes chatting charmingly about director Andrew Adamson’s Narnia interpretation with members of the online press. It’s hard to imagine someone so nice playing such an evil character, but I’m sure Swinton will more than pull it off. [More]

New Zealand film-makers Andrew Adamson and Taika Waititi have been nominated for this year's Academy Awards. In the nominations announced in Los Angeles yesterday, Andrew Adamson was nominated for best animated feature film for his blockbuster sequel Shrek 2, and Taika Waititi received a nod for his film Two Cars, One Night in the live action short film category. [More]

Belmont University has announced 'Past Watchful Dragons': Fantasy and Faith in the World of C. S. Lewis, a conference to be held November 3-5, 2005 on it's campus in Nashville, Tennessee. Inspired by the forthcoming Walden Media/Disney Film of the classic Narnia story The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, this conference celebrates C. S. Lewis' contribution to literature, theology, apologetics, scholarship, popular culture, myth, and imagination.

"Past Watchful Dragons" will also consider the work of the constellation of writers associated with Lewis such as J.R.R. Tolkien, Charles Williams, Owen Barfield, and Dorothy Sayers.

If you are interested in submitting a paper, more information is available on their website. [More]

Tilda Swinton's latest film 'Thumbsucker' will premiere at the Sundance Film Festival today. The film centers around Justin (Lou Taylor Pucci), who throws himself and everyone around him into chaos when he attempts to break free from his addiction to his thumb. [Sundance.com]

Tehanu writes: On my next visit, things are a lot quieter in the Henderson film lot, and I have the chance to watch people preparing some of the other sets. SPOILERS [More]

During the interview with Tilda Swinton and Ernie Malik, they talked about the makeup for the character of the White Witch and the transformations she goes through during the course of the movie. "There’s not much make-up, no. Which of course is SHOCKING! The most shocking thing you can think of. It’s not very Disney to not have a lot of make-up, is it? Eye liner and red lips. But it’s all good - it’s certainly Narnia," said Swinton. [More]

A miniature Mexico – complete with tiny cactus plants and replica sand – has been created in Wellington for the filming of big-budget Hollywood movie The Legend of Zorro. But it took a bit of work convincing Hollywood movie executives the project would be possible, Kiwi-born director Martin Campbell said during filming at a secret location yesterday. [More]

Three more pieces of conceptual drawings for The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe have found their way online. This time JoBlo.com have the scoop. Take a look at Mr. Tumnus approaching Lucy under the lantarn, a scene from the Last Battle and the Pevensie-children meeting Aslan for the first time! [JoBlo.com] [Narniafilms.nl]