Apparently the last rumour that Neil Burger was to direct the next Narnia film is just that, and the news today is broken that Michael Apted will direct this film.

Apted also directed The World is Not Enough, Enigma, Extreme Measures, Class Action, Gorillas in the Mist and Gorky Park. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is the third book published in the series of Narnia but is actually the fifth in the chronological order of the story.

The story itself will follow Lucy and Edmund from the first two films teaming up with a new character of their cousin Eustace. They are transported into the magical kingdom through a painting and land onboard the Dawn Treader ship which is carrying King Caspian of Narnia who is searching for the seven lost lords of Narnia.

Although Apted is taking over this film there's no word if Andrew Adamson, the director of the two Narnia films to date, will return to the series for the film after, if there will be a film after or if they are going to stick to rotating directors like this.

The story from AICN through /Film is quite a surprising choice and not one I would have immediately have thought of, however Apted is a strong director and can create tension and suspense well along with strong action. Perhaps he will be a fitting replacement for Adamson?