Walden Media

Walden Media was a film production and publishing company best known as the producers of The Chronicles of Narnia film series and now CGI films. Its films are based on notable classic or award-winning children's literature, compelling biographies or historical events, documentaries and some original screenplays.

The corporate headquarters of Walden Media are located in Los Angeles, California, and the Education, Outreach, Interactive and Publishing office is in Boston, Massachusetts.

Company history
Walden Media was created in 2001 by Michael Flaherty and Cary Granat. Granat was president of Miramax's Dimension Films division, and Flaherty came from the world of education. Flaherty was called an “entrepreneur in education” by the Boston Globe for his work with innovative programs meant to help underprivileged students gain access to quality education. . The two were housemates at Tufts University before following different paths and then reuniting to form Walden Media as a movie, television, publishing and Internet enterprise whose goal is to teach and entertain kids. The company is owned by the Christian conservative Philip Anschutz, who has said he expects their movies "to be entertaining, but also to be life affirming and to carry a moral message." The company's notable releases include Holes in 2003, Because of Winn-Dixie for Twentieth Century Fox in 2004, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe in 2005, How to Eat Fried Worms and Charlotte's Web in 2006, and Bridge to Terabithia, released by Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media in 2007. All of these films are adaptations of popular children's books.

Currently in development are movies based on Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader and Susan Cooper's The Dark Is Rising series.

On August 8, 2006, Walden Media announced a joint venture with 20th Century Fox. Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium and The Dark Is Rising will be the first films released under the venture. Previously announced films at other studios will remain in place. In 2011, Walden Media annouced it would exit Live Action and CGI Production and begin producing SGI-produced movies.

Filmography

 * 2002: Pulse: A Stomp Odyssey with Giant Screen Films
 * 2003: Ghosts of the Abyss with Walt Disney Pictures
 * 2003: Holes (film)|Holes with Walt Disney Pictures
 * 2003: I Am David with Lions Gate Films
 * 2004: Around the World in 80 Days with Walt Disney Pictures
 * 2004: Two Brothers with Universal Studios and Pathé
 * 2005: Because of Winn-Dixie with 20th Century Fox
 * 2005: Aliens of the Deep with Walt Disney Pictures
 * 2005: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe with Walt Disney Pictures
 * 2006: Hoot with New Line Cinema
 * 2006: How to Eat Fried Worms with New Line Cinema
 * 2006: Charlotte's Web with Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies and The Kerner Entertainment Company
 * 2007: Bridge to Terabithia with Walt Disney Pictures
 * 2007: The Waterhorse with Columbia Pictures, Revolution Studios, Beacon Pictures, and Ecosse Films
 * 2007: Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium with 20th Century Fox and Mandate Pictures
 * 2007: The Seeker: The Dark Is Rising with 20th Century Fox
 * 2008: Nim's Island with 20th Century Fox
 * 2008: The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian with Walt Disney Pictures
 * 2008: Journey 3-D with New Line Cinema
 * 2008: The City of Ember with 20th Century Fox
 * 2008: Rock On
 * 2009: The Lotus Caves
 * 2010: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
 * 2009: The Giver
 * 2009: Manhunt
 * 2011: The Treasure with 20th Century Fox and Shangri-La Entertainment