From press to shelf

A good stock of fantasy-related toys is far from a tall tale these days. With fantasy books and films like The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Eragon and His Dark Materials, offerings are growing with film and new product releases through 2007.

In an attempt to draw consumers to the movie experience, production on the new Chronicles of Narnia video game began in March 2004. Mike Jacob, executive producer for Buena Vista Games, Burbank, Calif., says that the company worked closely over an 18-month period with the director, film production crew and the C.S. Lewis estate to develop the game so it mirrors the film, which opens December 9.

“Everyone was collectively pushing to make a quality game,” he says. “It’s fun to have people of different backgrounds being cohesive.”

In addition to the video game—slated for a November release—Hasbro, Pawtucket, R.I., will release a Narnia Deluxe Battle Set, featuring detailed three-inch figures of the White Witch, Gynabrik, Maugram, Aslan, Gryphon, Edmund and Red Dwarf.

Weta Collectibles-designed product from Dark Horse Comics, Milwaukie, Ore., will launch statues of Girls on Aslan, Peter on the Unicorn, General Otmin, Satyr, and White Witch’s Castle Environment—a White Witch Castle currently remains in development—in December.

Peter Van Raalte, vice president consumer products, Scholastic, New York, tells Playthings that His Dark Materials is the story of a young girl who travels the world trying to unravel the mystery behind a mysterious element, dust, and find her kidnapped friend. The film, which follows the book trilogy, is currently in production from New Line Cinema, Los Angeles, for a fall 2007 release. Van Raalte says the product line will begin late 2006 as a tie-in with the film beginning with a video game. Toys and apparel will follow.

“When you read it, you picture a movie, so it’s very engaging,” says Van Raalte. “It has sold 17 million copies and is translated in 35 languages. It’s rich in story line going into different worlds.”

Montana native Christopher Paolini was only 17 when his first book of a trilogy, Eragon, was published in 2003. The book, now coming to the big screen in Eragon: The Inheritance Trilogy (production began August 1) starring John Malkovich, Jeremy Irons and Djimon Hounsou. Eragon and his dragon Saphira (pronounced suh-FEAR-uh) learn the skills of the dragon rider in order to battle King Galbatorix.