Michael Apted has just signed on with Disney Pictures and Walden Media to direct the third movie in the Chronicles of Narnia series, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

If you’re thinking “Huh? What happened to the second movie in the series?” No worries.  The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian has already gotten started, and is expected to be released next year.  The third installment won’t be hitting theaters til May 1, 2009, so they’ve got plenty of time.

Also on board for the film are Mark Johnson and Andrew Adamson as producers.  Returning cast members include Ben Barnes, Georgie Henley and Skandar Keynes.

The first film in the series, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe did a phenomenal job at the box office, with worldwide gross toppling $738 million.  With figures like that, no wonder they’re already working on the third sequel.