THIS winter film fans can go back into the magical world of Narnia as the third film in the series, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawntreader is released. We spoke to Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes and Will Poulter who play Lucy, Edmund and Eustace.

How close to the book does this film go?

Georgie: Instead of taking things out of the book I think the film has had stuff added. Skandar: They worked with CS Lewis’ estate. It’s a challenge that every screenwriter is faced with when trying to turn a book into a film. But, I’m confident, and that is from seeing how confident the CS Lewis Estate was. They’re the defenders of the story and, if they’re happy, I’m happy.

Will, you’re new to the Narnia films, so tell us about your character Eustace Scrubb.

Will: I felt kind of bad subjecting the rest of the cast to this little brat for six months. Eustace is obnoxious, arrogant and really a very unfriendly little brat. He comes to Narnia very reluctantly and, at first, thinks he’s gone mad and is hallucinating.

Georgie: That bit is so funny!

Will: He really is a horrible character and I think Lucy and Edmund do very well putting up with him. Towards the end of the story he goes under quite a drastic transformation, especially during the part where he is a dragon, when his relationship with Reepicheep develops. That’s quite a strong relationship in the film and Reepicheep sort of guides him, if you like, through the rest of the journey, and shows Eustace the error of his ways. When he is transformed back into a boy he is a reformed character. At the end of the story the goodbyes are quite emotional for Eustace.

What was it like being a dragon?

Will: It was weird. The CGI and special effects team are so talented. I have never had any experience of working with CGI before so it was really, really exciting for me and I really enjoyed watching how it worked. I really enjoyed the period after as well when I got to play Eustace in a very different light.

There are some amazing creatures in this movie. What was your favourite?

Georgie: That is one of the best things about this film, I think, that you get introduced to so many new characters. The Dufflepuds are my favourite and the way they are presented in the film is brilliant. You think they’re 8ft (183cm)monsters because they’re invisible and they’re standing on each other’s shoulders but, in fact, they’re these tiny, bearded, farmer, one-legged weirdos. But it’s really funny.

Will: I agree, they’re great. And the Minotaurs! I thought they’d be CGI but they are these big dudes in huge 8ft (183cm) suits. They’re incredible athletes. They’re literally standing on the equivalent of 6in (15cm) heels. To see these giant beasts walking round on set was amazing.

The film is mainly set on a ship. How much time did you actually spend on the water?

Georgie: We were never actually on the water. They created this incredible thing called a gimble, which meant that the boat sat on this mechanical thing and could rock to and fro. People actually got sea sick from being on it. It was ridiculous but fantastic. It meant that when we were doing a lot of the battles, and the sea serpent conflict at the end, the boat could tip forward and to one side like it would in a storm.

Skandar and Georgie – in the story, Aslan says this is the last time you will visit Narnia. How do you feel about that?

Skandar: This is the end really for us. I have really enjoyed the experience and I’m really appreciative of it but, at the same time, I am really looking forward to moving on. Georgie: I’m very sad about not doing Narnia any more but I’ve spent just under half of my life doing Narnia so I think it’s time for me to do other things. It was very emotional when we finished, though.

Will: I’m so lucky to be involved in this one and I feel very privileged to have been involved. If the fourth film, The Silver Chair, was to go ahead then I would really look forward to it and it’d be great. We’ll just have to see, though. It’s all about The Voyage of the Dawn Treader for now!

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is in cinemas now.