The Chronicles of Narnia

Overview

Netflix is officially rebooting The Chronicles of Narnia saga, starting with The Magician’s Nephew, the origin story of the Narnian universe. Directed and written by Greta Gerwig, known for her acclaimed work on Lady Bird and Barbie, this adaptation aims to bring a fresh yet faithful perspective to C.S. Lewis’s beloved fantasy world.

Release Date

The film is scheduled for a limited release in IMAX theaters on Thanksgiving Day 2026, followed by its global streaming debut on Christmas Day 2026 on Netflix. This marks a rare theatrical-first approach for a Netflix original, underlining the scale and ambition of the project.

Cast

• Zoe Saldaña as Polly Plummer, a brave young girl exploring magical worlds.

• Daniel Craig as Uncle Andrew Ketterley, the eccentric magician responsible for the discovery of the rings.

• Carey Mulligan as Mabel Kirke, Digory’s ailing mother.

• Emma Mackey as Jadis, the powerful sorceress who later becomes the White Witch.

The role of Aslan is reportedly being considered for a female actor, which has sparked passionate debates among longtime fans of the series.

 Storyline

Set before The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, this film follows two curious children—Digory and Polly—as they stumble upon magical rings that transport them to other worlds. They accidentally awaken an ancient evil and witness the very birth of Narnia as sung into existence by the lion Aslan. The story blends cosmic wonder, moral choices, and powerful symbols of good and evil.

Themes

While the story maintains its original spiritual and philosophical undertones, Greta Gerwig’s adaptation promises a more emotionally layered journey. Themes of grief, creation, temptation, and hope are expected to be explored with greater nuance and cinematic scope.

Production

Behind the camera, the film features a top-tier production team:

• Cinematography: Seamus McGarvey

• Production Design: James Chinlund

• Costume Design: Jacqueline Durran

• Visual Effects: Kris Wright

Gerwig is set to direct and write the script, aiming to preserve the mythic grandeur of Lewis’s vision while modernizing the narrative for today’s audiences.

Fan Reactions

Anticipation is high among fans of fantasy cinema. Many are excited to see Gerwig bring a literary classic to life with both artistic depth and blockbuster scale. However, early controversy surrounds rumored changes to key characters, especially Aslan’s portrayal, with fans divided on whether such updates are respectful or disruptive.

 Final Thoughts

Netflix’s The Magician’s Nephew could be the beginning of a bold new cinematic universe rooted in timeless storytelling. With Greta Gerwig at the helm and an A-list cast, this adaptation has the potential to reignite global love for Narnia while introducing it to a whole new generation.