The Walt Disney Studios and AOL Form Exclusive Content Partnership for 'The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe'

The Walt Disney Studios and AOL Form Exclusive Content Partnership for 'The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe'

BURBANK, Calif., Oct. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- The Walt Disney Studios and AOL announced an exclusive content partnership through which AOL web sites, such as Moviefone.com, will offer movie fans a first look at photos, artwork, behind-the-scenes video and extended footage from Walt Disney Pictures'/Walden Media's "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe," one of the most eagerly awaited films of the holiday season. In addition to Moviefone.com, features about the film will be promoted across the AOL network including the AOL Welcome Screen, AOL.com, AOL Music, AOL Television, AOL CityGuide, RED for Teens, and many more.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050627/LAM109LOGO )

The online destination, 'The World of Narnia' -- available now at www.Moviefone.com/Narnia -- launches the world-exclusive debut of the new theatrical trailer today. Currently, 'The World of Narnia' also offers a video vault of all Narnia video-to-date, photo galleries, and a rich interactive map. In the coming weeks, fans will also find the exclusive premiere of more behind-the-scenes video features, extended footage from the movie, an extensive production gallery, interactive character guides and much more.

Commenting on the announcement, Oren Aviv, president of Buena Vista Pictures Marketing, said, "We're very excited to be partnering with AOL on 'The World of Narnia' and believe that this is a great way to provide entertaining and unique content for moviegoers. 'The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe,' is shaping up to be an extraordinary motion picture. This online destination will provide great content and frequent updates about the film. Andrew Adamson, who did such a great job directing the 'Shrek' films, has created a brilliant and faithful big screen adaptation of the C. S. Lewis book, 'The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.'"

"Audience anticipation for The Chronicles of Narnia is already enormous and it will only grow as we lead up to December 9," said Erik Flannigan, Vice President, AOL Programming. "We're thrilled to partner with Disney on 'The World of Narnia' in our continuing effort to create immersive, original programming for the largest audience of movie fans online."

Additionally, AOL will distribute The Chronicles of Narnia-themed America Online CD-ROMs via direct mail. The discs, co-branded with Narnia art, will contain free content that consumers can access including games, videos, desktop wallpaper and buddy icons.

"The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" opens nationwide on December 9.

Film Synopsis

C. S. Lewis' timeless adventure "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe" follows the exploits of the four Pevensie siblings -- Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter -- in World War II England who enter the world of Narnia through a magical wardrobe while playing a game of 'hide-and-seek' in the rural country home of an elderly professor (James Broadbent). Once there, the children discover a charming, peaceful land inhabited by talking beasts, dwarfs, fauns, centaurs and giants that has become a world cursed to eternal winter by the evil White Witch, Jadis (Tilda Swinton). Under the guidance of a noble and mystical ruler, the lion Aslan (voiced by Liam Neeson), the children fight to overcome the White Witch's powerful hold over Narnia in a spectacular, climactic battle that will free Narnia from Jadis' icy spell forever.

The film marks the first live-action directorial effort for New Zealander Andrew Adamson (the Oscar(R)-winning "Shrek," "Shrek 2"), who also co-wrote the screenplay adaptation with Emmy Award-winner Anne Peacock (HBO's "A Lesson Before Dying") and scribes Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely (credits not final). The film is produced by Academy Award(R)-winning filmmaker Mark Johnson and Philip Steuer.

To bring his dazzling vision to the screen, Adamson has secured the talents of Oscar(R)-nominated cinematographer Donald M. McAlpine, ASC, ACS, Oscar(R)-nominated production designer Roger Ford, seasoned costume designer Isis Mussenden, film editors Sim Evan-Jones and Jim May and composer Harry Gregson-Williams.

About The Walt Disney Studios

The Walt Disney Studios is a unit of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) and distributes motion pictures under Walt Disney Pictures -- which includes Walt Disney Feature Animation and DisneyToon Studios -- Touchstone Pictures, Hollywood Pictures and Miramax Films. Buena Vista International serves as the studio's international distribution arm. Buena Vista Home Entertainment and Buena Vista Home Entertainment International together distribute Disney and other film titles to the rental and sell-through home entertainment markets worldwide. Buena Vista Theatrical Productions is one of the largest producers of Broadway musicals, and the Buena Vista Music Group distributes original music and motion picture soundtracks under its four record labels: Walt Disney Records, Buena Vista Records, Hollywood Records and Lyric Street Records.

About Moviefone(R)

Moviefone(R), a service of America Online, Inc., provides movie information and tickets to millions of moviegoers each month through its telephone service (e.g. 777-FILM(R)) and on the Web (Moviefone.com or AOL(R) Keyword: Moviefone). The top-visited movie destination online, Moviefone.com offers showtimes, advance tickets, exclusive scenes from upcoming films, original editorial features, critic and moviegoer reviews, trailers, DVD information including rentals and sales, and much more.

About AOL, Inc.

AOL, Inc. operates a leading network of Web brands and the largest online subscription service. The company's brands include the AOL(R) service, the AOL.com(R) website, the AIM(R) service, MapQuest(R), Moviefone(R), Netscape(R), Compuserve(R), and ICQ(R) services. AOL, Inc. is based in Dulles, Virginia, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Time Warner.

* comScore Media Metrix, August 2005

For More Information:

Dennis Rice Senior Vice President, Publicity Buena Vista Pictures Marketing (818) 560-5610

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050627/LAM109LOGO AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/ PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com Source: The Walt Disney Studios

CONTACT: Dennis Rice, Senior Vice President, Publicity, Buena Vista Pictures Marketing, +1-818-560-5610

Web site: http://www.moviefone.com/narnia

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