Starz Entertainment Group, Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media announced today that they will partner to bring Starz and Encore viewers an exclusive sneak peek at Walt Disney Pictures' and Walden Media's The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe prior to its nationwide theatrical release on December 9. Starz, Starz Kids & Family and Encore viewers will be taken behind the wardrobe door to experience a 30-minute original Starz Original production and a 9-minute sneak peek of the film beginning on Thursday, November 24.

"Kids and adults alike will delight in this opportunity to get a first look at the much-anticipated motion picture, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, said Stephan Shelanski, senior vice president of program acquisitions for Starz Entertainment Group. "We are thrilled to be the exclusive broadcast outlet to bring our audience this unique movie content they won't see anywhere else."

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a spectacular live action/CGI motion picture adaptation of C.S. Lewis' beloved literary classic. The film marks the first live action directorial effort for Andrew Adamson (Academy Award®-winner for Shrek, Shrek 2), who also co-wrote the film's screenplay adaptation with Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely. The film is produced by Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Mark Johnson (Rain Man).

The 30-minute Starz Original production is an exclusive first look at The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and the 9-minute teaser is an extended sneak peek of the film. These unique programs will be featured throughout Thanksgiving weekend on Starz, Starz Kids & Family and Encore premiering on Thursday, November 24.

These exclusive pieces premiere on Thursday, November 24 at the following times (all times are ET/PT):

- 30-minute Starz Original production: Premieres on Starz at 6:30 p.m. and Starz Kids & Family at 8:00 p.m.
- 9-minute teaser: Premieres on Encore at 9:45 p.m. and also airs on
Starz and Starz Kids & Family throughout the day.

C.S. Lewis' timeless adventure The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe follows the exploits of the four Pevensie siblings -- Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter -- in World War II England who enter the world of Narnia through a magical wardrobe while playing a game of 'hide-and-seek' in the rural country home of an elderly professor. Once there, the children discover a charming, peaceful land inhabited by talking beasts, dwarfs, fauns, centaurs and giants that has become a world cursed to eternal winter by the evil White Witch, Jadis. Under the guidance of a noble and mystical ruler, the lion Aslan, the children fight to overcome the White Witch's powerful hold over Narnia in a spectacular, climactic battle that will free Narnia from Jadis' icy spell forever.

The film marks the first live-action directorial effort for New Zealander Andrew Adamson (the Oscar®-winning Shrek, Shrek 2), who also co-wrote the screenplay adaptation with Emmy Award-winner Ann Peacock (HBO's "A Lesson Before Dying") and scribes Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely. The film is produced by Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Mark Johnson and Philip Steuer.

To bring his dazzling vision to the screen, Adamson has secured the talents of Oscar®-nominated cinematographer Donald M. McAlpine, ASC, ACS, Oscar®-nominated production designer Roger Ford, seasoned costume designer Isis Mussenden, film editors Sim Evan-Jones and Jim May and composer Harry Gregson-Williams.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe was released December 9th, 2005 and stars Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes, William Moseley, Anna Popplewell, Tilda Swinton, James McAvoy, Jim Broadbent, Kiran Shah. The film is directed by Andrew Adamson.