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As we first reported on SFFGazette.com, filming is officially underway on Barbie director Greta Gerwig's Narnia: The Magician's Nephew for Netflix. Now, a first look at the filmmaker on set has been revealed, alongside two of the movie's young leads.

Gerwig is adapting The Magician's Nephew, a story revolving around a couple of kids who inadvertently unleash the evil White Witch in London. Interestingly, the photos confirm reports that she's shifting the action from late 19th-century Victorian London to the 1950s.

As there's a time jump between this story and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (which takes place during World War II), a similar shift means that it would instead be set during the early 2000s, meaning Gerwig could put a new spin on the iconic story when she reaches that point.

The actors playing Digory Kirke and Polly Plummer haven't been identified, and appear to be two unknowns.

A female Aslan is not the only major change Greta Gerwig seems to be making in her Narnia reboot. The first set photos from the highly anticipated fantasy movie have revealed a major timeline change that will have ripple effects through any future sequels.

Last week, NarniaWeb reported that a casting call description for Narnia: The Magician's Nephew mentioned 1950s swim attire, suggesting that the movie would not be set in 1900, which is when the C.S. Lewis novel takes place. Now that filming has begun on the Netflix reboot, set photos have confirmed that the movie has shifted the events of The Magician's Nephew from 1900 to an undisclosed year in the '50s, for reasons yet unknown. As shared online by What's on Netflix, the sets have recreated post-war Britain in the 1950s.

Filming has begun on Netflix's Narnia movie from director Greta Gerwig.An area in London was converted into 1950s.

Photos from the set of Greta Gerwig's Chronicles of Narnia reveal a key location change as the Netflix movie reportedly begins filming. The streamer first announced plans to adapt C.S. Lewis' beloved books back in 2018, with the Barbie director being brought on board in 2020. Greta Gerwig's Narnia movie is seemingly adapting the sixth book in the series, The Magician's Nephew.

The cast has been shrouded in secrecy so far. The only reported details include Emma Mackey as the White Witch, Daniel Craig as Uncle Andrew, Carey Mulligan in talks for Digory's mother, and Meryl Streep expected to voice the talking lion Aslan. However, Netflix has not yet officially confirmed or announced any of these cast members.

Now, a series of set photos have surfaced online as Gerwig's Narnia movie reportedly started filming this past weekend in and around London's Bank Station and The Royal Exchange. The photos show...

In 2018, Netflix acquired the film and television rights to The Chronicles of Narnia. Seven years later, the streamer's first project has finally begun filming.

Per What's on Netflix, this past weekend marked the start of production on Greta Gerwig's highly anticipated franchise reboot of Narnia.Photos from the production in London show Gerwig on set, as well as two as-yet-unidentified child actors who are believed to be playing Digory Kirke and Polly Plummer, the two young leads of The Magician's Nephew, the first book chronologically in C.S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia series.

Filming has begun on Netflix's Narnia movie from director Greta Gerwig.An area in London was converted into 1950s.More exclusive snaps: https://t.co/KQUXPHCA6Apic.twitter.com/S97eBriUXo— What's on Netflix (@whatonnetflix) August 11, 2025

The Magician's Nephew serves as a prequel to the most well-known Narnia installment, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,...

Filming has started in London for Greta Gerwig’s new Narnia movie, and fans are already excited about the cast and the fresh updates from the set. The film stars big names like Daniel Craig, Meryl Streep, Emma Mackey, and Carey Mulligan.

Netflix got the rights to all of the Narnia books in 2018. This was the first time one company held the rights to the entire series by C.S. Lewis. Entertainment One also joined the project, with Mark Gordon, Douglas Gresham, and Vincent Sieber as executive producers.

In 2019, Matthew Aldrich, known for co-writing Coco, was hired to help develop the adaptation. Then, in 2023, it was announced that Greta Gerwig would write and direct at least two Narnia movies for Netflix.

Gerwig’s film is planned to come out first in IMAX theaters on Thanksgiving Day in 2026 and then will be available on Netflix in December. Casting calls in 2025 hinted that...

Filming for Greta Gerwig’s new Narnia movie has officially begun in London, and fans are already buzzing about the star-studded cast and fresh updates from the set. The film features big names like Daniel Craig, Meryl Streep, Emma Mackey, and Carey Mulligan.

Netflix secured the rights to the entire Narnia series back in 2018, marking the first time one company held all the rights to C.S. Lewis’s classic books. Production company Entertainment One also joined the project, with Mark Gordon, Douglas Gresham, and Vincent Sieber serving as executive producers.

In 2019, Matthew Aldrich, known for co-writing Coco, was brought on to help shape the adaptation. Then in 2023, it was announced that Greta Gerwig would write and direct at least two Narnia films for Netflix.

Gerwig’s adaptation is set to release first in IMAX theaters on Thanksgiving Day 2026 and then will hit Netflix in December that same year. Casting calls...

After nearly a month of release in theaters worldwide, Jurassic World Rebirth has emerged as a bona fide blockbuster. The movie didn't exactly earn glowing reviews, but it wasn't outright trashed like its predecessor, Jurassic World Dominion. That film was released only a couple of years ago, and although Rebirth continues the same narrative, it has been positioned as a soft-reboot of the action-adventure franchise. Directed by Gareth Edwards, Rebirthmight struggle to hit the coveted $1 billion mark at the global box office like all three of its predecessors, but it has now overtaken one of the most beloved franchise films of the last couple of decades.

With $721 million at the global box office, the film has passed the $720 million lifetime global haul of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Released in 2005, the movie was produced on a reported budget of $180 million — incidentally, this is identical...

After Barbie’s unprecedented success, Greta Gerwig is set to swing the wardrobe wide open with her adaptation of The Chronicles of Narnia. A slew of big names has been confirmed with a movie along with a planned wide IMAX release by Netflix, the studio behind the project. While fans can theorize as much as they want about which books are being adapted, we’ll know for sure when the film finally arrives. Meanwhile, producer Mark Johnson, who is behind not only Narnia movies but also features like Good Morning, Vietnam, Galaxy Quest, The Holdovers and more, finally gave fans a “fascinating” tease about the upcoming project.

“I’m fascinated. First of all, I’m a gigantic fan of hers, so I can’t wait to see it,” Johnson said in a new interview with Deadline. Though the producer remained tightlipped about the project. Johnson is among the producers that brought the original trilogy,...

Over his more than four decades as a producer, Mark Johnson has done about 60 movies, including The Chronicles Of Narnia fantasy trilogy; Best Picture Oscar winner Rain Man; Bugsy; Good Morning, Vietnam; Galaxy Quest; The Holdovers; and romantic classic The Notebook. Surprisingly, none have been turned into a TV series yet, even as Johnson has established a footprint in television with the Emmy-winning Breaking Bad and most recently the Anne Rice universe on AMC.

That may finally change. During an interview with Deadline tied to Johnson’s first-look deal extension at AMC, he provided an update on the long-in-the-works TV series based on the cult classic 1999 sci-fi comedy Galaxy Quest. There had been multiple incarnations at the now-defunct Paramount TV Studios over the past decade, the most recent set up at Paramount+ in 2023.

Johnson addressed that project, now set up at CBS Studios, which absorbed sibling Paramount TV Studios, as...

Below is an original news article synthesizing multiple sources on Greta Gerwig’s forthcoming Chronicles of Narnia reboot, incorporating the latest developments, casting reactions, expert commentary and background context.

Greta Gerwig has confirmed Oscar nominee Carey Mulligan will join her Netflix adaptation of C.S. Lewis’s The Magician’s Nephew, portraying the ailing mother of young Digory Kirke in the prequel to The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Rather than begin with the wardrobe story, Gerwig’s two-film slate will start with Lewis’s sixth-published book—chronologically the series opener—underscoring her ambition to reframe Narnia’s origins for modern audiences.

Mulligan’s character provides the emotional catalyst for Digory’s journey, her illness driving his desperate quest to the newly born world of Narnia. She joins an ensemble led by Daniel Craig as Uncle Andrew, Emma Mackey as a young White Witch, and Meryl Streep voicing Aslan—a...

Another acclaimed Hollywood name boards the cast of Netflix's highly anticipated The Chronicles of Narnia film. Three-time Academy Award nominee Carey Mulligan is the latest star to board the first of Greta Gerwig's upcoming Narnia adaptations, The Magician's Nephew.

Per The Hollywood Reporter, Mulligan joins the star-laden cast of The Magician's Nephew, which also includes Meryl Streep, Daniel Craig and Emma Mackey. Mulligan is best known for her features in Maestro, Promising Young Woman and An Education, each of which landed her Oscar nods. Her most recent big-screen features include the acclaimed black comedy thriller, Saltburn, the Adam Sandler-led sci-fi drama, Spaceman, and the British comedy, The Ballad of Wallis Island.

The Magician's Nephew, the sixth novel in C.S. Lewis' Narnia book series, is a prequel to The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, which was adapted as a part of Disney's original Narnia movie trilogy to critical and commercial success.

An update for Greta Gerwig's Narnia movie confirms which book is being adapted as an Oscar-nominated star joins the cast. Netflix's Narnia movie has been in development as early as 2018, with the Barbie director being brought on board in 2020. Now, Greta Gerwig's Narnia movie is currently deep into the casting stage, with its star-studded ensemble already including Daniel Craig, Emma Mackey as Jadis the White Witch, and Meryl Streep as the voice of the talking lion Aslan.

Now, according to The Hollywood Reporter, Carey Mulligan has been cast in Gerwig's Narnia movie as Digory's mother. This confirms that the movie is adapting the sixth novel in the Narnia series, The Magician's Nephew. Mulligan is currently in negotiations for the role, so it doesn't appear to be a done deal quite yet.

What This Means For Greta Gerwig's Narnia Movie Everything That Was Revealed

Published in 1955,The Magician's Nephew...

Carey Mulligan is in talks to star in Greta Gerwig’s “Chronicles of Narnia” adaptation at Netflix.

If the deal closes, Mulligan will join the previously announced cast of Daniel Craig, Meryl Streep and Emma Mackey. Otherwise, the project is still in the midst of the casting process according to The Hollywood Reporter, which broke the news of Mulligan’s hiring.

In her much-anticipated “Barbie” follow-up, Gerwig is writing and directing the fantasy adventure, which reportedly follows “The Magician’s Nephew” — the sixth novel in the series by author C.S. Lewis. The story serves as a prequel to “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” and centers on the creation of Narnia by Aslan the lion (voiced by Streep). Two children, Digory and Polly, are the first to discover the “Wood between the Worlds” after an uncle (Craig) gives the two friends a magical ring. Mackey is playing the Jadis,...

Narnia fans who don't wish to watch Greta Gerwig's upcoming reboot for the first time on Netflix are in luck. IMAX CEO Rich Gelfond has just shared an exciting update regarding how long the fantasy movie will be on its screens.

Unlike typical Netflix blockbusters, which release straight-to-streaming, Gerwig managed to successfully convince Netflix to give her Narnia rebootan unprecedented two-week run on IMAX screens before debuting on the streamer. The movie, expected to be an adaptation of the sixth novel in C.S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia fantasy series, The Magician's Nephew (1955), will be released in the large format across 1,000 auditoriums in 90 countries on Nov. 26, 2026. However, speaking earlier today at a Cannes luncheon, Gelfond revealed (per Deadline) that IMAX has "the option to extend the run," meaning that Narnia: The Magician's Nephew could remain on the big screen well into December, narrowing the gap between its theatrical...

Pedro Pascal seems to have seen his end in The Last of Us after last week’s episode, though it is highly likely he will appear in flashbacks going forward. The actor’s character, Joel, was beaten and then stabbed to death by Abby, a former Firefly, whose father was killed by Joel in the season one finale. The scene was harrowing and took fans by surprise.

Fans of the game already knew it was coming, but its occurrence early in episode two of the season was a surprise. The makers also did not hold back in showing the brutal violence, with some even claiming it to be even bloodier than the game. Showrunner Craig Mazin compared Joel’s death to Aslan’s in Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

How did Narnia inspire Craig Mazin in The Last of Us’ tragic Joel scene? Joel and Ellie in...

The White Witch has finally been found. Barbie star Emma Mackey, who just missed out on being the Dcu's Lois Lane in Superman, has been cast as the villainous character for Greta Gerwig's upcoming Chronicles of Narnia reboot.

Per The Hollywood Reporter, Mackey's casting ends a two-month search for someone to take on the role of Jadis the White Witch, who was previously brought to life by Tilda Swinton in Walden Media's Narnia trilogy — The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005), Prince Caspian (2008), and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010). Grammy winner Charli Xcx was initially being eyed for the role, in what would have marked her largest acting role to date, but earlier this week, it was revealed that she was no longer in the running for the role. The role was then reported to be down to Mackey and The Substance star Margaret Qualley, with the former ultimately emerging victorious.

Netflix and Greta Gerwig are reportedly starting from scratch on who should play Jadis the White Witch in the upcoming Narnia reboot. Charli Xcx was previously reported to have been cast in the role back in March.

According to Jeff Sneider's TheInSneider (via World of Reel), Grammy-winning popstar Charli Xcx is no longer in the running for Jadis the White Witch, a role previously played by Tilda Swinton in Walden Media's Narnia trilogy (2005-10). At the time, Charli Xcx was noted as being Netflix's top choice for the role. Sneider is now stating that Gerwig plans to test three well-known actors for the role of Jadis. Two of the names — The Substance star Margaret Qualley and Sex Education alum Emma Mackey — have leaked, while the third actor remains unknown.

Gerwig's first of two Narnia movies will reportedly be based on the sixth Narnia novel, The Magician's Nephew (1955), which...

The following post contains massive spoilers about The Last of Us Season 2 episode, “Through the Valley”

Even the creative team behind HBO’s The Last of Us found it challenging to follow through on its source material’s biggest narrative swing: the death of lead character Joel Miller (Pedro Pascal) in the early stages of Season 2.

“I mean, I knew that Joel was going to die right from Season 1. But reading it in the script … I was dreading getting to it and I cried. Actually sobbed my little heart out,” The Last of Us star Bella Ramsey (Ellie) said in an interview released by HBO on Sunday night. “That was the first time I've ever cried from reading a piece of writing.”

Pascal, too, acknowledged, the powerful way the show's creators handled his character's death.

“I have nothing but respect for the level of investment that people have in a video game or television show,...

James McAvoy is rare among this new young breed of actors, as he has the ability to shift between offering heartbreaking sensitivity ("Atonement") to displaying some serious action chops ("Atomic Blonde" and "Wanted"). The ability to toggle between these two attributes in such films as "The Last King of Scotland," "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" and as the young Professor X in several films in the "X-Men" series that has made him internationally one of the most in-demand actors in the world.

Not only is McAvoy versatile in the kind of projects he selects, but he delivers, having earned two BAFTA nominations for his performances in "The Last King of Scotland" and "Atonement," and a Golden Globe nom for "Atonement" as well.

Let's raise up a glass to that great Scot with our photo gallery, which ranks his 10 greatest film performances from worst to best.

Meryl Streep could be venturing to Narnia for Netflix. The Oscar-winning actor reportedly has an offer to voice a key character from the C.S. Lewis novels, who will be gender-swapped for Greta Gerwig's adaptation.

According to Nexus Point News, Streep has been offered the role of Aslan, the Great Lion, who will be female in the Netflix adaptation. Aslan is the only character to appear in all seven Chronicles of Narnia books. Created as an allegory for Jesus, the talking lion serves as Narnia's guardian, King above all High Kings in Narnia, as well as a mentor to the human children. Aslan was previously voiced by Liam Neeson in Walden Media's live-action Narnia film trilogy from the 2000s.

Streep becomes the third actor approached for Netflix's Narnia reboot, after Charlie Xcx and Daniel Craig. Charlie Xcx is being eyed for Jadis, the White Witch, the villainous character...

James Bond Star Daniel Craig To Be Cast On Netflix’s Chronicles of Narnia Reboot? (Photo Credit – Instagram)

C.S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia has been a cornerstone of fantasy literature since the first book, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, was published in 1950. The seven-book series, filled with adventure, magic, and emotional themes, has been loved by generations of readers. Lewis’s vision of Narnia, a land ruled by the majestic lion Aslan, has remained one of the most beloved fictional worlds in literary history. Now, Netflix is set to revive The Chronicles of Narnia with a fresh cinematic universe, and speculation is running wild about the cast, including the possible addition of Daniel Craig.

Over the years, The Chronicles of Narnia has seen multiple adaptations, the most notable being the early 2000s film series produced by Walden Media. The 2005 film The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe became a massive hit,...

Greta Gerwig and Netflix are set to tread new ground with their Chronicles of Narnia reboot. The role Daniel Craig is being eyed for has reportedly been revealed, and it's a character that only appears in one Narnia book.

According to What's on Netflix, Craig has been offered the role of Andrew Ketterley, the eccentric and morally ambiguous uncle of Digory Kirke who is one of the main antagonists of The Magician's Nephew. Published in 1955 as the sixth Narnia novel, The Magician's Nephew is chronologically the first story set in C.S. Lewis' fantasy series. The report adds that Gerwig will be adapting the 1955 children's novel as her first of two Narnia movies, which is tentatively titled Narnia: The Magician's Nephew.

Craig's potential casting in Netflix's Narnia reboot was first reported earlier this week by Deadline, who stated that "he does hold the offer," although it's unclear whether he will take it,...

Netflix first announced plans to re-adapt C.S. Lewis' beloved tales from The Chronicles of Narnia back in 2018, and in 2022, we found out that none other than Greta Gerwig (Barbie) was set to direct at least two Narnia movies for the streaming service.

Development has been a slow process, but we finally have our first major piece of casting news, and it's likely to be met with a mixed response.

According to Deadline, pop singer Charli Xcx has entered talks for a key role in the new saga, and the trade believes she will play - providing a deal is struck - the villainous Jadis, aka the White Witch.

Apparently, the Grammy winner - who has just been announced as co-headliner of Saturday’s portion of this year’s Glastonbury Festival alongside the legendary Neil Young - is "among the top choices" to play the character, but nothing is set...

If Charli Xcx joins the cast of Greta Gerwig’s Narnia movie, the Pevensie family could find a pile of panties in their wardrobe. According to Deadline, Gerwig is eyeing the Grammy-winning artist for her upcoming film based on The Chronicles of Narnia on Netflix. The outlet says Charli Xcx is in the running for a key role, though details remain a mystery.

Whispers about Charli Xcx possibly joining the Narnia cast arrive after hearing she’ll co-headline Saturday’s portion of this year’s Glastonbury Festival alongside Neil Young and Chrome Hearts, Doechii, Deftones, Beth Gibbons, Amyl and the Sniffers, Beabadoobee, Caribou, and many more. While Charli Xcx’s potential Narnia role remains unknown, Deadline suggests she could play Jadis, The White Witch.

According to Jason Isaacs, Greta Gerwig’s Narnia movie is an adaptation of The Magician’s Nephew, a prequel to the original tale. “I loved all...

Note: Potential spoilers for Netflix's upcoming "Chronicles of Narnia" adaptation ahead!

When Netflix bought the rights to "The Chronicles of Narnia," then-Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos said, "C.S. Lewis' beloved 'Chronicles of Narnia' stories have resonated with generations of readers around the world. Families have fallen in love with characters like Aslan and the entire world of Narnia, and we're thrilled to be their home for years to come." That was in October of 2019. Since then, the world has gone through a pandemic, and Sarandos was promoted to Netflix's co-ceo. The company has also signed an inspired (but also terrified) Greta Gerwig to helm its first "Narnia" adaptation and will release the film in IMAX theaters globally on Thanksgiving 2026 (something Gerwig butted heads with Netflix over for a while).

It may sound like a lot of activity, and having Gerwig on board is definitely a big deal. But really,...

Acclaimed director Greta Gerwig has been tapped to helm a new reboot of The Chronicles of Narnia, and the upcoming film series is already beginning to take shape. Based on the beloved series of novels by English writer C.S. Lewis, The Chronicles of Narnia is set within the fantastical realm of fantasy and magic and tells an epic tale of war and peace within the kingdom. The novels first began publishing in the 1950s, but it wasn't until 2005's The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe that Lewis' vision arrived on the big screen for the first time.

Following in the footsteps of the generation-defining YA series like Harry Potter, the first Chronicles of Narnia film was followed by two increasingly poorly received sequels that eventually killed off the franchise before it ever started. Even though previous attempts to adapt The Chronicles of Narnia have failed, Netflix optioned the rights...

Following the success of Barbie in 2023, Greta Gerwig's upcoming project will be a new retelling of The Chronicles of Narnia. Gerwig will collaborate with Netflix for the upcoming reboot and has scored a major win for it to receive a wide release.

Initially supposed to be released on Netflix, IMAX has reportedly expressed interest in screening the upcoming adaptation of Narnia. The deal might've been difficult, considering Netflix's policy on theatrical releases but, after months of negotiations, the movie will be officially heading to IMAX. Per Variety, Narnia will be exclusively released on Imax's screens worldwide two weeks in advance before the movie's wide release on Netflix. The Narnia film will premiere on Netflix on Christmas 2026, with an Imax release on Thanksgiving Day of the same year.

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Move over, Bridgerton, a new steamy literary romance is making its way to Netflix.

Greta Gerwig's take on The Chronicles of Narnia is officially on its way, as the tug-of-war between the filmmaker and Netflix has come to a very exciting conclusion. After it was reported that the Barbie director was frustrated with the streamer due to a lack of a theatrical release, Narnia will now bow out in both theaters and on Netflix next year. Although there have been no updates in regard to the reboot's cast and crew, Narnia fans should expect more news coming soon as the project moves full steam ahead.

As reported by Puck, Gerwig's upcoming big-budget action adventure film Narnia is set to screen in 1,000 IMAX theaters starting Nov. 26, 2026. After spending a few weeks in theaters, Narnia is expected to hit Netflix around Christmas day. It was previously rumored to debut in theaters in December instead of November, but it looks like Netflix and Gerwig have come...

Just as Barbie was getting great buzz, it was announced that Greta Gerwig would be helming an adaptation of The Chronicle of Narnia for Netflix. The streamer has been eyeing this epic adaptation to be one of their releases for Christmas in 2026. There has been talk that Gerwig would naturally be hoping for her new film to have a theatrical release. Perhaps it was when Barbie became the juggernaut hit of 2023 that influenced their decision, but Netflix is now giving Gerwig what she wished for. Sort of.

According to Deadline, Netflix is now set to release Gerwig’s Narnia adaptation in IMAX globally for Thanksgiving on November 26, 2026. However, the movie would be released in a limited two-week window before ultimately streaming on the platform on Christmas Day. This plan is similar to when Rian Johnson’s Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery was given a short theater run before streaming...

The characters in The Chronicles of Narnia got their start in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, but what happens at the end of their stories? The beloved book series by author C.S. Lewis has an answer. While Disney adapted three of the Narnia books to the screen, the remaining four within the series have been left untold. Hopefully, future adaptations will change this, and the Pevensies and other primary Narnia characters can finally have their full story told.

Barbie director Greta Gerwig has a new Chronicles of Narnia movie series on the way, and it's hoped that this will ultimately lead to the full story being brought to the screen. Lewis' final Narnia book, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Last Battle, details the end of Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy's adventures, as well as those of Aslan, the Professor, and Eustace Scrubb. It's a far more tragic tale...

All film and television genres allow an audience to find a temporary escape from reality, but fantasy takes this to a whole other level. Fantasy movies, in particular, pack so much wonder and magic into a condensed two-hour package, the best of which often come from multi-movie franchises.

These fantasy movie franchises can be original creations or adaptations of books, but as long as they have spectacular new worlds, concepts, and interesting characters to explore across multiple movies, audiences have plenty to invest in. Fantasy takes its audiences on a journey through fictional creativity, but the best franchises get bigger and better backing with budgets and CGI capabilities, allowing a more memorable experience.

Updated by Timothy Blake Donohoo on January 11, 2025: There are numerous major fantasy franchises in pop culture, including fantasy movie franchises. Some are obvious, while others might not immediately evoke the genre. Nevertheless, these films are all...

It's looking as if Greta Gerwig's The Chronicles of Narnia movie is all set up to avoid a problem that doomed the Disney Narnia series. C.S. Lewis' beloved fantasy book series has been adapted to the screen several times, but never in its entirety. Typically, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is what comes to general audiences' minds when they consider the Narnia franchise, and that's because it's often the first to be adapted. However, Disney proved this is not the best way to go since the Pevensies' first adventure in Narnia is challenging to follow up.

Disney released The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe in 2005, and the film was a fair success. It brought in $745 million at the global box office, so it was no surprise that Disney jumped into further sequels. Unfortunately, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader...

With The Chronicles of Narnia about to receive a redo, it is the perfect time to look back on the Disney movies and observe some harsh realities. Greta Gerwig's Chronicles of Narnia reboot is around the corner, and it is a mystery what approach the dramedy director will take to the two-part movie plan. The original movies were released between 2005 and 2010, adapting the famous novels by English writer C.S. Lewis. However, they did not always adapt them faithfully, and even when they did, they did not always adapt them well.

The Chronicles of Narnia books were written in the 1950s, and they exhibit the attitudes of the era. Lewis' Narnia series is his masterpiece, and the books are a classic for a reason. And yet, they do present studios and would-be adapters with the issue of transforming an archaic text for a modern audience. The difficulties of adapting Lewis'...

Warning! Spoilers ahead for the final book in The Chronicles of Narnia series, The Last Battle

The Chronicles of Narnia novels are a seminal work of children's fantasy by C.S. Lewis, and the Pevensie children play a huge role throughout the story. First described in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the Pevensies introduce the audience to Narnia, and it's their influence and legacy that links the different installments together. Though the later books don't touch upon the four central children as much, they do reappear in the final novel, The Last Battle. However, when they return, Susan Pevensie, the oldest girl, doesn't have the same ending as everyone else.

There's been speculation about how the Narnia books will be brought to life in Greta Gerwig's upcoming adaptation of the novels. While the development and characterization of all the Pevensies is vitally important, Gerwig's Narnia adaptation must bring justice to Susan Pevensie,...

According to Bloomberg, Barbie director Greta Gerwig's next film, a new adaptation of C.S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia series for Netflix, will reportedly hit theaters in December 2026. There hasn't been any official announcement from Netflix or Gerwig as of this writing, so take this rumored release date with a grain of salt.

If true, though, it would mean the film, which Netflix is reportedly eyeing for an IMAX release, will be battling for box office supremacy against Denis Villeneuve's third Dune film, based on the novel Dune: Messiah by Frank Herbert, which is also rumored to be out at the same time. On top of that, Sony revealed they planned to release Jumanji 3, starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Karen Gillan, and Jack Black, on December 11, 2026.

Related Everything We Know About Greta Gerwig's Narnia Movies

Details and speculation about Greta Gerwig's work in the Narnia films...

More Chronicles of Narnia movies are on the way, and this could open the door to future adaptations that carefully break C.S. Lewis' biggest rule for this fantasy world. Lewis' novels have been loved for generations, and many have been adapted to the screen several times over. Typically, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is the first to be considered for an adaptation, and Greta Gerwig's upcoming movie series is sure to include this story as well. However, it might be interesting if future Narnia movies forged a path all their own.

Gerwig's The Chronicles of Narnia movies are expected to be faithful to Lewis' books, though it's still unclear precisely how the Barbie director will approach these projects. It would be great to see installments like The Magician's Nephew brought to the screen for the first time, and if all goes well, each of Lewis'...

Greta Gerwig has been confirmed to be directing the first two movies in Netflix's upcoming reboot of The Chronicles of Narnia franchise. However, not much is known about what the director and studio intend to do with the many avenues and opportunities that the project can take advantage of. There have been rumors that the films will take place in chronological order rather than release order, which would be a significant divergence from the format of the original Disney movies. However, a big change like this could be the element Netflix needs for the project to stand apart.

While nothing is confirmed, Jason Isaacs has hinted that Gerwig's Narnia movie might be a prequel. This would mean that the first installment in the upcoming Narnia franchise would have to adapt The Magician's Nephew. The second to last book in the series, The Magician's Nephew, gives insight into Narnia's...

Casting Netflix's upcoming take on The Chronicles of Narnia will be a tall order, as many longtime fans and critics have strong opinions about who should portray the beloved characters. One actress who was frequently discussed in fan-casting conversations was Saoirse Ronan, who has worked with the director Greta Gerwig many times before. Though Ronan has denied rumors of her being cast in Narnia in the past, there's always potential that this could change (via Deadline). However, it's certain that Ronan could not portray Susan Pevensie, the role she's been fan-cast as.

Greta Gerwig's Narnia remake must bring justice to Susan, one of the most underdeveloped of the Pevensie children. Ronan is often mentioned within the Susan casting discussion because her fair features and longtime partnership with Gerwig make her an obvious choice. However, Ronan has aged out of this role, and it's well-known that adults aren't welcome in Narnia.

Since the earliest explorations of world mythology, fantasy and adventure have been cornerstones of fiction, especially iconic Hollywood movies like The Lord of the Rings. Cinema has delivered decades of excellent fantasy movies, from mythological epics to adaptations of beloved novels. Offering one of the purest forms of escapism there is, the genre is at its best when combined with adventure, sending heroes on grand quests to defeat the forces of evil and find lost relics.

Fantasy movies have raked in billions of dollars at the box office, often soaking up hefty budgets and appealing to a large swath of moviegoers. Ranging from grim and scary dark fantasy stories to inspirational quests and high fantasy world-building, the genre is among the most entertaining there is. When blended with adventure, it has left audiences with some powerful stories that are must-see chapters of cinema.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe...

Back in July of 2023, it was announced that Barbie director Greta Gerwig had been hired to write and direct at least two Chronicles of Narnia films for the Netflix streaming service. We haven’t heard any details on this project, we don’t even know for sure which book(s) Gerwig has chosen to bring to the screen, but during an interview with Deadline, producer Amy Pascal said (with thanks to Total Film for the transcription) that Gerwig has a “very new take on Narnia. It’s all about rock ‘n’ roll.” Meanwhile, actor Jason Isaacs is spreading the rumor that the first Narnia book that Gerwig is adapting is the prequel The Magician’s Nephew!

While listing his favorite books, Isaacs told The Week, “I loved all the Narnia books as a kid. When Peter was told he wouldn’t be coming back, I understood something devastating about mortality.

Barbie director Greta Gerwig could be adapting prequel book The Magician’s Nephew as the first part of her Narnia saga for Netflix.

If you’re of a certain vintage you will have seen Cs Lewis’ Chronicles Of Narnia adapted for the screen several times now, and the story has always begun with The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe, about a group of young adventurers discovering a secret land in the clutches of an evil queen.

Barbie director Greta Gerwig is set to give us her own take on Narnia, with the filmmaker having reportedly signed on to make two films for Netflix that will begin what is presumably going to be an ongoing series that will cover the entirety of Lewis’ multi-book saga.

According to a slip from Jason Isaacs, though, Gerwig could be planning to do things a little bit differently. In short: the filmmaker may not...

Barbie director Greta Gerwig will helm the upcoming Chronicles of Narnia remake, and Henry Cavill has proved his readiness to feature in it. Netflix will distribute Gerwig's Narnia remake after the 2000s movie series ground to a halt after The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Walt Disney and Walden Media joined forces to make the first two movies, but Disney quit after Prince Caspian's box office disappointment, leaving the third movie an even smaller affair, and the remaining books unadapted. So, Gerwig's reboot offers C.S. Lewis' books a new chance, with a 2007 Cavill project providing a perfect template.

Little is known about Gerwig's upcoming Chronicles of Narnia reboot, scheduled for 2026, thus far. With no casting confirmed, it remains speculative who will or should represent the characters of The Chronicles of Narnia books. The Londoners Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy Pevensie get evacuated to the English...

The announcement of Greta Gerwig adapting the beloved Narnia books based on the work of cherished author C.S. Lewis has undoubtedly caused a stir of interest in fans of both literature and cinema. Her addition to the project, which is being produced for Netflix, is a welcome choice for many, given Gerwig's current status as one of the hottest directors working in Hollywood and her ability to handle content that explores religious themes.

Many details of the production, including the cast and release date, remain up in the air, with the movie still in the pre-production period. However, plenty of speculation and some confirmed details about the production are starting to give fans an idea of what they may be able to expect with the upcoming Narnia films. Here are all the details we know.

Greta Gerwig's Narnia Movies Will Likely Stay Close to the Source Material

Disney

Details on...

C.S. Lewis' seminal children's book series, The Chronicles of Narnia, has been highly influential in the way young people's fantasy literature has developed. One of the key features of Lewis' universe is that when the Pevensie children get older, they can't return to Narnia. In the books, Aslan is the voice of reason and imparts his wisdom and many of the rules of Narnia to the children. One of these is that Peter and Susan, the oldest Pevensie children, won't be able to come back after the events of Prince Caspian, but it's never explicitly stated why.

The Narnia reboot will struggle to fix problems from the books, and the open-ended questions and weaker world-building are some of the biggest issues with the novels. It will be interesting to see how Greta Gerwig handles mysteries like why adults aren't allowed in Narnia and if the movies will explicitly state why.

Disney's Chronicles of Narnia adaptations ended after just three films, and there are a few reasons why. Written by C.S. Lewis, The Chronicles of Narnia books are an iconic seven-volume series, regarded as some of the greatest children's fantasy of all time. They've been adapted multiple times, with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe being developed as a TV series in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. The '80s version, which was brought to life for BBC, actually managed to cover the first four novels.

In the 2000s, Walden Media and Walt Disney Pictures obtained the rights to develop film adaptations, which became the definitive versions for many young audiences in the 2000s. The 2005 adaptation of Lewis's first novel featured Liam Neeson as Aslan, Tilda Swinton as the White Witch, and an excellent cast of young actors to play the Pevensie children. The Disney versions of the best Narnia adaptations available,...

Netflix's The Chronicles of Narnia reboot films may reportedly get the big-screen treatment. The upcoming movies, two of which are directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Greta Gerwig, could feature in IMAX theaters in a surprising concession from the streaming giant.

According to Bloomberg, IMAX has expressed interest in screening Gerwig's installments of The Chronicles of Narnia, hoping to strike a deal with Netflix to show the films. However, the deal could be difficult to strike given Netflix's strict policy on limited theatrical releases for its movies, with various exhibitors unsuccessfully asking the service for concessions. Another report by THR states that sources have confirmed Gerwig's talks with IMAX.

"In fact, as you know, directors, film studios are all leaning into the IMAX experience, company CEO Rich Gelfond said in a company call this week, though he didn't specifically name Gerwig. "We are always innovating and looking for new approaches to eventizing content.

Netflix doesn't do theatrical releases. It's an established fact and a policy that the studio continues to adhere to — even though it's creating tension once again, this time with its upcoming "Chronicles of Narnia" reboot. The studio announced that they had obtained the iconic C.S. Lewis IP back in 2018 and five years later casually confirmed that Gerwig was on board to helm at least two of its upcoming Narnia movies.

The project is set to be massive, with recent reports estimating that the budget will pass the $200 million mark. With a top director and plenty of cash behind the effort, Netflix is clearly giving its "Chronicles of Narnia" adaptation plenty of oomph. But as of this writing, it still won't be going near a movie theater.

The new head of Netflix's film unit, Dan Lin, recently reiterated the company's insistence on keeping its streaming products on the small screen — and...

Acclaimed director Greta Gerwig reportedly "bummed" over Netflix's The Chronicles of Narnia plans.

Per Matthew Belloni's What I'm Hearing newsletter, the award-winning Barbie director was noted as being "clearly bummed" about Netflix's plans to skip a theatrical release for the upcoming The Chronicles of Narnia feature film. While Gerwig's concerns have been voiced in reportedly amicable conversations with Netflix, the streaming giant doesn't appear willing to waver on their streaming-first release strategy for the latest feature film adaptation of C. S. Lewis' iconic novels.

Related 'I Have to Remind You...': Original Narnia Star William Moseley Addresses Potential Return in Netflix Reboot

The Chronicles of Narnia star William Moseley reveals if he would be interested in appearing in Greta Gerwig's forthcoming Netflix reboot.

The original The Chronicles of Narnia novels by C. S. Lewis began with 1950's The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and spanned six sequels,...

Recently, several rumors claimed Saoirse Ronan landed a part in Greta Gerwig's upcoming reimagining of The Chronicles of Narnia. Although there was no official confirmation, the actress just settled the rumors.

During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live to promote her upcoming film, The Outrun, Ronan also addressed the Narnia casting rumors. Although she didn't fully confirm that she would be a part of the new version of The Chronicles of Narnia, her words have been encouraging, as she has clearly stated her interest in the project. However, no official confirmation came from the Academy Award nominee.

Related An Iconic '80s Fantasy Movie Gets a New Streaming Home Next Month

As you wish, one of the 80s' most beloved films is changing streaming homes.

"There isn't like, no truth to it. She hasnt asked me yet; shes writing it," Ronan told Kimmel around the 3:20 mark. "But we...

The Chronicles of Narnia is soon getting a reboot at Netflix, which may delve further into the arcs of minor characters from the books. Right after the smash hit of Barbie, acclaimed director Greta Gerwig is taking on at least two of the new Narnia movies. With such a talented writer-director behind the wheel, known for nuanced stories that make good use of supporting characters, everyone is eager to see how the main and minor characters take shape in the new movies.

Book (chronological order)

Release date

The Magician's Nephew

1955

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

1950

The Horse and His Boy

1954

Prince Caspian

1951

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

1952

The Silver Chair

1953

The Last Battle

1956

Gerwig's Narnia's release date is unknown, as are the cast and story details. However, there are several things for Gerwig's Narnia movies to fix, one of which is world-building and characterizations only being...