The world of Narnia returns to the big screen with "Prince Caspian"� from the third book in the classic C.S. Lewis series. Lead Actor Ben Barnes and Director Andrew Adamson were joined on the red carpet Wednesday (May 7) for the film's premiere in New York with their fellow cast members, including Tilda Swinton (as the White Witch), Liam Neeson, Peter Dinklage (as the dwarf Trumpkin), and the four Pevensie children characters, played by William Moseley (as Peter), Anna Popplewell (as Susan), Skandar Keynes (as Edmund), and Georgie Henley (as Lucy). Director Adamson returned to helm the second film, after "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" earned $291 million (USD) domestic US gross in 2005. This time the film takes on a more darker role: The���� Pevensie children from the first film return to Narnia to find the kingdom overthrown and under control of an evil tyrant, King Miraz (played by Italian actor Sergio Castellitto). The children, with the help of the Narnian creator Aslan (voiced again by Liam Neeson), must return the rightful king, Prince Caspian, to the throne.�������� On moving to a darker storyline and a more brutal battle scenes, Adamson said, "I mean, it starts with a young man whose uncle is attempting to kill him in order to gain his throne. So, it starts from a darker place. And, the world is a bit grittier, you know. The last was all about Spring. And now it's 1,300 years later and the Narnias have been driven into hiding. It's a very different place."�������� Adamson admitted that after eleven years of nonstop films (he also helmed the first and second Shrek films) he plans on taking a break to spend time with his family. The lead role of Prince Caspian went to British newcomer Ben Barnes, who, despite a small role in last year's "Stardust," had never acted in a large-budgeted, let alone an estimated $100 million (USD), Hollywood film.�������� Asked about taking on such a challenge, and seeing his face on the film's production posters, Barnes said, "It's surreal, and it's weird. And it's a bit embarrassing and it's flattering at the same time. You know, there's so many adjectives that spring to mind when you see yourself ten stories high." "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" premieres in US domestic theaters May 16, 2008. (Reuters) ... read more »