It’s been a while since the last Narnia film, but Greta Gerwig is taking a stab at the iconic story following her success with Barbie in 2023.
The Chronicles of Narnia is a classic fantasy series by British author C. S. Lewis. Gerwig will adapt the novels for Netflix, which in 2018 signed a deal with the C.S. Lewis Company to produce films and programmes based on the series.
After Frankenstein and Knives Out, this will be Netflix’s next big film project and, following Enola Holmes, another movie series aimed at younger viewers.
Which books will Greta Gerwig adapt?
The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis consists of seven novels:
- The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
- Prince Caspian
- The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
- The Silver Chair
- The Horse and His Boy
- The Magician’s Nephew
- The Last Battle
Some books have been adapted for the screen several times, mainly as television shows. In 2005, Disney created a film based on the first volume, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. In 2008, an adaptation of Prince Caspian was released, followed by The Voyage of the Dawn Treader in 2010. However, the last two films weren’t as successful as Disney had hoped, and adaptations of subsequent novels weren’t made.
Greta Gerwig will begin her series with the story of Narnia’s creation. The upcoming film, titled Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew, will be based on the sixth book in The Chronicles, which serves as a prequel to the main story. It’s also a novel that has never been adapted before.
It’s not yet confirmed if she’ll adapt any others – that decision may depend on the performance of the first film.
When will Netflix’s The Chronicles of Narnia be released?
Despite being a Netflix movie, The Magician’s Nephew will be released in cinemas – though only in selected ones and for a limited time. The premiere is set for Thursday, 26 November 2026 (Thanksgiving).
After spending some time in theatres, The Magician’s Nephew will drop on Netflix.
What is the plot of Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew?
Greta Gerwig’s film will serve as an introduction to the world of Narnia.
The main characters of the book are two children, Digory Kirke and Polly Plummer. While playing in the garden of an abandoned house in London, they encountered a magic portal that takes them to the home of Andrew Ketterley, a magician and Digory’s uncle. Andrew gives the children magical rings that transport them to ‘The Wood between the Worlds’ – a land holding the portals to alternative universes.
Digory and Polly decide to explore these mysterious worlds. They reach a deserted city called Charn, where they meet the evil sorceress, Jadis, later known as the White Witch. After passing through another portal, they find themselves in a void, where the lion Aslan creates a new world: Narnia.
In the books, the prequel is set in the 1900s, 40 years before the main story. Filming spoilers seem to indicate that this prequel will instead take place in the 1950s, which would place any later stories for the main plot in the nineties – a more familiar period for audiences today.
Who is starring in The Chronicles of Narnia?
What’s on Netflix has reported several names, though none are officially confirmed by the studio yet.
According to the article, the role of Digory Kirke will most likely be played by David McKenna, who has appeared in several musicals and BBC’s Lord of the Flies.
Rumours indicate that Polly Plummer will be portrayed by Beatrice Campbell, who appeared in The Stolen Girl and The Phoenician’s Scheme.
Emma Mackey, known for Sex Education and Death on the Nile, will allegedly play Jadis, the evil sorceress/the White Witch.
Carey Mulligan, nominated for Oscars for An Education, Promising Young Woman, and Maestro, is expected to play Mabel Kirke, Digory’s sick mother.
Daniel Craig (Queer, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery) has also apparently joined the cast of the film – it’s believed that the actor will play Uncle Andrew.
Finally, Meryl Streep is rumoured to voice Aslan the Lion, the creator and guardian of Narnia.
Hopefully, we’ll hear more in the coming months.
