New Narnia Movies Happening For Netflix
Barbie director Greta Gerwig will write and direct two movies for Netflix based on The Chronicles of Narnia fantasy novels by British author C. S. Lewis. Rumors in late 2022 had already hinted at her involvement in the upcoming reboot of the franchise. The New Yorker confirmed the speculation during a profile piece on the acclaimed filmmaker.
After mentioning the upcoming Netflix project, Greta Gerwig said she wouldn’t create another film revolving around a toy any time soon. “It would have to be something that has some strange hook in me that feels like it goes to the marrow,” the filmmaker told the publication. “I don’t know if there’s a doll [like Barbie] that anyone is as mad at.”
Greta Gerwig would be a perfect director to tackle a reboot of The Chronicles of Narnia. She is a highly regarded filmmaker who has earned recognition for the critically acclaimed Lady Bird in 2017 and Little Women in 2019. Both films received Academy Award nominations. Barbie, her latest offering starring Margot Robbie as the titular doll and Ryan Gosling as Ken, hits theaters on July 21.
Barbie’s Greta Gerwig is directing two Netflix movies based on The Chronicles of Narnia books.
The Chronicles of Narnia is a collection of seven enchanting books, initially released from 1950 to 1956. The series follows the history of Narnia, from the moment its created in The Magician’s Nephew to its destruction in The Last Battle. The story, soon be rebooted by Greta Gerwig, follows the adventures of various characters who play central roles in the magical world of Narnia.
With the exception of The Horse and His Boy, the main characters are all children who are magically transported to Narnia, where the lion Aslan calls upon them to protect his world from evil. The books are considered classics of fantasy literature and have influenced many other stories.
Since its first publication, The Chronicles of Narnia has sold over 120 million copies worldwide. The first three novels in the series, namely The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Prince Caspian, and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, were adapted into film by Walden Media and Disney/20th Century Fox in 2005, 2008, and 2010, respectively. It’s unclear which books Greta Gerwig’s Narnia movies will adapt.
Previous plans to adapt the fourth book, The Silver Chair, fell through. However, hope was renewed when Netflix forged a multi-year agreement with The C.S. Lewis Company in 2018. This partnership, which now included Greta Gerwig, serves to develop various films and television series based on the entire seven-book Narnia series.
Mark Gordon from Entertainment One was appointed executive producer for these projects. Douglas Gresham, the stepson of C.S. Lewis, also expressed his excitement about the widespread anticipation for more Narnia content.
“It is wonderful to know that folks from all over are looking forward to seeing more of Narnia,”
Douglas Gresham, C.S. Lewis’ stepson
The Magician’s Nephew and The Horse and His Boy have been deemed more suitable for film since their stories are more singular. The remaining five books, which revolve around the adventures of the Pevensie children and their cousin Eustace Scrubb, are more suited to a television series.
Fans can watch The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader on Disney+.
Nevertheless, seeing how Great Gerwig brings the beloved Narnia novels to life will be interesting.
For now, fans can watch The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader on Disney+.
