'Narnia's' $67 million makes sequel likely

The lion was king.

"The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe"roared into the box office this weekend, and the film version of theC.S. Lewis classic's $67 million didn't disappoint Disney, which islooking at turning the film into a major family-friendly franchise.

"Narnia 2," anyone?

Director Andrew Adamson told this column that the magical wardrobeprobably will open again, but he doesn't know when the lion and thewitch will come out to play.

"Honestly, I'm not in production right now on the sequel. We'renot even thinking about it seriously, except that the next one willfeature the kids, and there is a wonderful Prince Caspian story thatLewis wrote about in other books."

Young star Georgia Henley is the first one who wants to sign on."I'd be on the first plane if I hear there's a sequel. But no onereally knows what's happening with that. I just hope every singleday."

NARNIA NIBBLES: Adamson says casting the voice of the lion was oneof his tougher jobs. Enter Liam Neeson.

"Liam came to me. ... He said, 'Can I read for you.' I knew he'dbe perfect because he's so likable. Kids need to feel his warmth."

Adamson cast Tilda Swinton as the White Witch in order to avoid acliche. "We've already seen the evil Cruella and the bad witchcharacters. This had to be a different kind of evil. ... She talkedabout what's terrifying for children and came up with emotionaldetachment."

MILLER TIME: "It really comes down to begging. That's what I did!Begging!" So says Sienna Miller, who has a coveted role in theupcoming film "Casanova" with Heath Ledger.

"I think as a young actress, you're either the love interest orjust the girl," she says. "Here was this heroine who was thisintelligent feminist. She's sword fighting and cross-dressing. ... Ithought this was a fantastic modern character."

That joy abated a bit when she was asked to pick up a sword. "I'mnot the most coordinated person," Miller laments. "So it took a bitof work. But it's really lovely learning something new."

BIG APE: Naomi Watts says King Kong wasn't the biggest star shemet while filming Peter Jackson's epic, which opens Wednesday. Theactress got to have a little sitdown with original "Kong" actressFaye Wray before filming began on the new ape picture.

"Meeting Faye was wonderful," Watts says. "There was a smalldinner party where Peter Jackson and I were invited to meet her."

Watts says Jackson introduced her as the new object of Kong'saffections, which had been Faye's claim to fame. "Faye looked up

at me and said, 'You're not Ann Darrow. I am!' I thought, 'Oh,great. She's 96 and her humor is still right there.' But I also had amoment thinking, 'She doesn't like me.' I thought, 'I'm not goodenough.' "

After dinner, Jackson and Watts dropped Wray off at her house. "Wekissed and hugged, which is when Faye whispered into my ear, 'AnnDarrow is in good hands.' It was like she was giving me permission. Iwas given the baton."

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WEEKEND BOX OFFICE

Estimated ticket sales for

Friday through Monday at

North American theaters:

1. The Chronicles of Narnia $67.1 mill.

2. Syriana 12 mill.

3. Harry Potter ... Goblet of Fire 10.3 mill.

4. Walk the Line 5.75 mill.

5. Yours, Mine & Ours 5.15 mill.

6. Aeon Flux 4.6 mill.

7. Just Friends 3.9 mill.

8. Pride & Prejudice 2.5 mill.

9. Chicken Little 2.3 mill.

10. Rent 2 mill.