sp; The Hollywood ReporterTwo very famous fantasy classics of old are on the way to the big screen and both have seen some significant movement in the past day or two according to the industry trade paper The Hollywood Reporter.

First up the $100 million+ budgeted adaptation of C.S. Lewis' "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe" will be distributed and co-financed by Walt Disney Pictures. Walden Media, who is developing 'Lion', has worked with Disney in the past on the likes of "Holes," "Ghosts of the Abyss" and the upcoming "Around the World in 80 Days". The film is scheduled to begin shooting in the Summer and aiming for an Xmas 2005 release. Disney also retains the options to release future films in the series.

Meanwhile "Spy Kids" helmer Robert Rodriguez is set to direct Edgar Rice Burroughs' science fiction classic "Princess of Mars" for Paramount Pictures. The project is based on the first book in Burroughs' 11-book series, "John Carter of Mars" which centers on John Carter, a Civil War officer from Virginia who is transported to Mars and finds himself a captive of the savage green men from Thark. Eventually, he rises to become the greatest warrior of all time, marries the beautiful Dejah Thoris, raises a family and embarks on numerous adventures. Mark Protosevich wrote the latest draft, and Rodriguez is set to work on 'Mars' once he wraps "Sin City".

Thanks to 'KC'.