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Disney Pictures and Walden Media have tapped Michael Apted to direct "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader," the third installment in the series. Mark Johnson will produce along with Andrew Adamson, who directed the first two.

Returning cast members include Ben Barnes, Georgie Henley and Skandar Keynes.

"The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian," the second in the trio, will be released in 2008. "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" will begin lensing in January for a release on May 1, 2009.

Recent directing credits for Apted, who's prexy of the Directors Guild of America, include the soccer doc "The Power of the Game" and the feature "Amazing Grace" (for Walden Media sister company Bristol Bay Prods.).

"The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" saw worldwide grosses totaling $738 million.