After a bit of passing around among studios, it looks like the third "Narnia" film finally has a release date.

"The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" will arrive in theaters Dec. 10, 2010.

Disney took a pass on the film last month, and 20th Century Fox stepped in to partner with Walden on the film – the third in the "Narnia" franchise.

Michael Apted will direct the film, which finds Lucy (Georgie Henley) and Edmund Pevensie (Skandar Keynes) returning to Narnia with their cousin Eustace where they meet up with the dashing Prince Caspian (Ben Barnes). The group journeys across the sea on a royal ship called The Dawn Treader.

Of course, their journey finds many dragons, dwarves, and merfolk, not to mention a band of lost warriors. Eddie Izzard (Reepicheep) and Peter Dinklage (Trumpkin) will also star.

Seems like a fantastic time to read – or re-read – the classic C.S. Lewis book on which this movie is based.

Image: Ben Barnes, Walt Disney Pictures

For a while there, it looked like there might not be a third installment of the popular "Chronicles of Narnia" franchise. Disney took a pass on it last month, citing "budgetary considerations."

Disney and Walden Media worked together on 2005’s "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," which grossed $745 million worldwide, and 2008’s "Prince Caspian," which clocked in at only $420 million.

Though both movies did well in DVD sales, it’s clear (to me anyway) that Disney dropped the franchise when the second movie tanked. These aren’t cheap movies to make. There’s a lot of special effects involved here.

At any rate, now it looks like the "Narnia" story is back on track, because 20th Century Fox has stepped in to work with Walden Media on the third movie based on the C.S. Lewis book series, "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader." They’re looking at a holiday release in 2010.

I liked the first movie, but the second one didn’t really grab me. What about you? Are you liking the "Narnia" movies so far? Looking forward to the third one?

Image: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Walt Disney Pictures, 2005; Source: The Hollywood Reporter

“The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian” was released on DVD and Blu-ray this week. Read my review here, and check out a few clips:

Meeting the Mouse:

Lots more after the jump…

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