Greta Gerwig is venturing into new cinematic territories, trading in her feminist lenses of “Lady Bird” and “Little Women” for the fantastical realms of C.S. Lewis’s Narnia. Having charmed audiences with the vibrant world of “Barbie” in 2023, Gerwig has now set her sights on directing two major film adaptations of “The Chronicles of Narnia” for Netflix. Remarkably, she’s tackling the series chronologically, with “The Magician’s Nephew” as her starting point—a move that deviates from past adaptations but might just capture the series’ foundational magic.
Theatrical Ambitions
The big news floating through Hollywood is the potential theatrical release of Gerwig’s first Narnia film. Courtesy of discussions initiated by Dan Lin, Netflix’s new Film Chief, there’s buzz around bringing Narnia to life on the big screen. With hopes set for an IMAX release by the end of 2026, the project is ambitious, to say the least. However, there’s a catch: this release plan is contingent on having the film ready in time. Tick-tock, Gerwig and team, the clock is ticking.
This strategic step toward theaters might be Netflix’s response to recent high-profile distribution deals slipping through their fingers, notably the Warner Bros. acquisition of “Wuthering Heights.” Releasing Narnia in IMAX could be a power move to reposition Netflix in the theatrical space and one up their distribution strategy.
What We Know About Production
As of now, the Narnia film hasn’t rolled cameras yet. Louis Partridge, known for his role in “Enola Holmes,” is currently the only actor confirmed to join the cast. With casting barely underway and cameras still dormant, the pressure mounts to hit the production deadlines needed for that shiny 2026 theatrical release window. This IMAX opportunity could serve as the accelerant Gerwig’s team needs to pick up the production pace.
Nostalgia and Box Office Prospects
Thinking back, Disney’s inaugural Narnia adaptation, “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe,” dominated the December box office in 2005, hauling in a hefty $745 million. This holiday release timing suggests a lucrative window Gerwig might want to consider. The idea is simple: release a beloved story during a time of high theater foot traffic—before audiences are swept away by eggnog and New Year’s resolutions. If history is any indication, the holiday season might just be the ticket for Narnia to roar back to its box office glory.
Closing Credits
Ending on a speculative note, as Gerwig embarks on this ambitious project, the industry waits with bated breath for more concrete production updates. The IMAX opportunity underscores Netflix’s commitment to give the Chronicles of Narnia a grand return to theaters. While no specific release date has been locked in, the goal remains: dazzle audiences at the close of 2026, sweeping them into the enchanting world of Narnia once more. As pre-production gains momentum, fans are eager to see if Gerwig can weave the magic of Narnia into a new age of fantasy cinema. The clock is set—may it strike before the magic fades.
