Ben Barnes: From Prince Caspian to Dorian Gray
Right on the heels of starring in the No. 1 movie at the box office, Ben Barnes has landed another gig – and it’s a doozy. The adorable Prince Caspian will play the title character in a film adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray.According to The Hollywood Reporter, director Oliver Parker is “planning to make a visceral, dark horror story and says the themes of stardom are as relevant as ever.”
That was my immediate thought as well, that the book’s themes of vanity and the desire for everlasting youth and beauty seem to be incredibly relevant to today’s world (especially in American society, though Dorian Gray does not take place in America).
Dorian Gray is a young man of impossible physical beauty whose portrait – painted by the artist Basil Hallward – becomes connected on an occult level with the workings of his soul. Drawn into a corrupt and sensual life by the dissolute Lord Henry Wotton, Dorian remains young and beautiful, while the painting ages in his stead, ultimately becoming a monstrosity.
Have you read this work by Oscar Wilde? What do you think of this movie news?
‘Prince Caspian’ Rules at the Box Office
“The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian” dethroned “Iron Man” as ruler at the box office, pulling down $56.6 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.
Walt Disney’s action sequel, starring Ben Barnes as Prince Caspian, took in less domestically in its opening weekend than “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe,” which sold $65.6 million in North America in its debut weekend in 2005. “Caspian” also raked in $20.7 million overseas.
But Disney expects the PG-rated movie, based on the C.S. Lewis fantasy series, to ride high through the coming Memorial Day weekend. The first “Narnia” tale grossed $745 million worldwide over its theatrical run.
“This is a film that we think is going to play all summer long and it’s got nothing but school holidays in front of it,” said Mark Zoradi, president of the Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Group.
“Caspian” has a fight on its hand. The most anticipated movie of the summer, “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” opens Thursday. The fourth Indy installment, starring Harrison Ford and Shia LaBeouf, was screened twice Sunday at the Cannes Film Festival, with fans even cheering during the opening credits.
Rounding out the top five at the weekend box office was “Iron Man” at No. 2 with $31.2 million; “What Happens in Vegas” at No. 3 with $13.9 million; “Speed Racer” at No. 4 with $7.6 million; and “Baby Mama” with $4.6 million.
‘The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian’ Set For Box Office Crown
Two weeks after “Iron Man” opened to $99 million at the North American box office, “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian” will likely earn almost as much this weekend.
Industry observers expect the fantasy sequel will gross $85 million or more during the three-day period beginning Friday. Its 2005 predecessor, “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” opened to $65.6 million, and finished with $292 million.
The Disney release has been scoring high in prerelease surveys for must-see sentiment among all demographics and has drawn solid early reviews from critics.
The second book in a 1950s children’s literature series written by the theologically rooted C.S. Lewis, the sequel features a more adult central character via the title role, played by Ben Barnes (”Stardust“). Both films were directed by Andrew Adamson.
Disney distribution president Chuck Viane said:
“This is the quintessential general-audience film — moms and dads, families, date-pic couples, teens by themselves — this plays to everybody”.
Walden Media, a family-friendly production company owned by Denver billionaire Philip Anschutz, is a co-financer and equity partner on the film, which totes production costs of nearly $200 million.
After two weekends at No. 1, “Iron Man” will pass the $200 million mark. As of Wednesday, the Paramount and Marvel superhero saga had earned $188 million.
But the Warner Bros. dud “Speed Racer” will likely crash again, a week after the costly adventure opened at No. 3 with just $18.6 million.
