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Back in July 2023 (yes, Barbie summer), Greta Gerwig announced that she would be working on an adaptation of The Chronicles of Narnia, C.S. Lewis’ classic fantasy book series that truly needs no introduction. In fact, the story has been adapted many times before. Gerwig’s film will adapt The Magician’s Nephew, which is the sixth novel in the series, but the first chronologically. This is the first time the prequel has ever been adapted.
The Magician’s Nephew focuses the creation of Narnia and the events that lead up to what happens in Lewis’ first Narnia story, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. It was recently announced that Emma Mackey (who also played a Barbie in Gerwig’s Barbie movie) will star as Jadis, the White Witch. At this point, no one else has been officially announced for the project, but Meryl Streep is in negotiations to play Aslan, the lion responsible for creating Narnia. Daniel Craig is also potentially connected to the film, with IMDB listing his role as Uncle Andrew. Casting is still very much underway for the film, and production is slated to begin in the summer.
When will we get to watch the movie? You read correctly that this is a Netflix production, so initially, the idea was that it would be a straight-to-streaming affair. However, Gerwig insisted the movie get a theatrical release, and she did win that battle. The film will release exclusively in IMAX theaters on Thanksgiving in 2026. It will then come to Netflix a month later on December 25, 2026.
Gerwig has signed on to direct at least two Narnia adaptations, but there has been no official announcement on what book the second film will adapt. If the films continue to go in chronological order, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe would be next, folowed by Lewis’ second prequel, The Horse and His Boy.
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Netflix’s Narnia adaptation will be executive produced by Mark Gordan, Douglas Gresham, Amy Pascal, and Vincent Sieber. Coco co-writer Matthew Aldrich is also attached to the project. According to Netflix, Aldrich will “serve as the creative architect and oversee the development of all films and shows adapted from C.S. Lewis’ beloved Narnia universe for Netflix.”
Are you heading to IMAX to see this one when it releases at the end of next year? Will you be cozying up to stream it at home on Christmas Day? It’s probably going to be both for me.