'Prince Caspian' Star Honored By Royal Role

"Stardust" didn't quite sprinkle the sort of magic that it should have at the movie box office during its release last summer, which would have given co-star Ben Barnes the exposure he so richly deserved in the fantasy adventure's small, but pivotal role.

But there's no doubt that he's getting a big second chance and then some starring in the title role in "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian," the long-anticipated follow-up to the "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe."

"Prince Caspian" is expected to rule at the box office when it opens Friday, which is, needless to say, a lot of pressure to endure for a 26-year-old British stage actor previously unknown to the movie masses. Adding to tension is the fact that Barnes all-too-well knows author C.S. Lewis' classic book series and other versions of the story, and the expectations that come with them.

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"It's absolutely intimidating, but I think most of the pressure placed on playing the role came from my memory of reading the books when I was an 8-year-old and watching the BBC series when I was the same age," said Barnes in a recent @ The Movies interview. "Finding the whole magical utopia of Narnia and being able to tell that story again for the next generation of readers and viewers is a real honor."

Prince Caspian is a new character in Narnia, an heir to the throne who's on the run after his uncle, the ruthless King Miraz (Sergio Castellitto), seizes the kingdom. Facing certain death, Caspian summons the royal Pevensie family -- Peter (William Moseley), Edmund (Skandar Keynes), Susan (Anna Popplewell) and Lucy (Georgie Henley) -- to travel back to Narnia for help.

Directed by Andrew Adamson, the film also stars Peter Dinklage, Warwick Davis, Tilda Swinton and the voices of Eddie Izzard and Liam Neeson. Barnes stepped into "Narnia" with the comfort of knowing that the production's crew and actors had an established working relationship that minded the faithfulness to the book series. But the effectiveness of Prince Caspian was a responsibility that largely rested on Barnes' shoulders, and he was determined not fall on his own sword.

"I was very keen to make sure that he wasn't overly glamorized or made into some sort of swashbuckling action figure when he in fact is an ambiguous character who's ambivalent about the choices that he makes," Barnes explained. "He's very vulnerable and he doesn't feel that he's ready for the responsibilities that are placed on his shoulders during the course of the story. I wanted to keep that part of the character as honest as possible."

While Barnes acknowledged that some necessary changes have been made in the cinematic telling of "Prince Caspian," he believes they will only enhance the story.

"We've aged-up the characters because the actors have grown up since filming the first one," Barnes said. "There's a sprinkling of romance in the film which is not in the book, but I think it's all part and parcel of making a version of this story for a 2008 audience." Barnes is thrilled at the opportunity to star in "Prince Caspian" in that the film complements his stage background because of its focus on character. And while he gets to put to work the power of imagination like he does on stage for the film, he's also loving the flip side of the equation by seeing the details of the film literally come to life.

"The budgets are so high that everything is manufactured with the smallest of detail, from embroidery on weapon handles to the costumes, all the way up to the magnificent proportions of the castle sets," Barnes said. "Then there's also the wonder of shooting in a town in the south island of New Zealand called Paradise. Literally, almost everything is right there in front of you."

Everything, with maybe the exception of talking mice, one of many stunning effects in "Prince Caspian's" cache of visual wonders.

"Imagination only comes into play when you're talking with an animated mouse, which is really only a piece of wire or a tennis ball on a stick," Barnes said with a laugh.