Empire Magazine’s November issue of Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew has now hit store shelves, offering readers several new photos from Greta Gerwig’s upcoming film.

The issue includes new looks at David McKenna as Digory interacting with his sick mother, played by Carey Mulligan, as well as Strawberry the horse on the streets of London. Other images give us a closer look at Polly’s “Smugglers Cave” attic, while another shows Uncle Andrew (Daniel Craig) scolding the children outside.

Empire’s coverage also includes new details about the film, including comments from Gerwig and members of the cast. You can read a few highlights from the magazine here.

What do you think of the new images? Leave a comment below and then head over to our Community Forum to discuss further!

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After sharing several long snippets and images this past week, Empire Magazine has finally published their full feature about their visit to the set of Greta Gerwig’s Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew.

The story includes new images of Digory and Polly in the attic, Uncle Andrew interacting with Digory and Polly at the front door, and Digory snuggling with his mother in bed. The images have not been released online yet.

The feature is long and wide-ranging. Read on for a short summary of the highlights:

Story Points

• Digory’s mother is named Flora instead of Mabel. Flora was the name of C.S. Lewis’s mother that died of cancer when he was nine years old. (According to our sources, one of Polly’s sisters will be named Mabel)
• Digory and Polly are neighbors, as in the book. Empire visited the set of the kitchen in Polly’s house.
• The Charn set, Empire says, “looks, perhaps uncoincidentally, like an exploded pinball machine. Lights flash orange and green, huge chrome orbs are pushed into the ceiling. The set is rooted in technology and art that felt full of wonder during the time that The Magician’s Nephew is set in.”
• “Aslan is this cosmic lion that is awesome,” Gerwig says. “Like, awesome in more of an antique sense — filled with awe — and the valence isn’t always delight. It’s also something that’s powerful and big, but it can also be frightening.”

Behind the Scenes

• Gerwig approached Netflix in 2020 and suggested they start with The Magician’s Nephew. “If you take the seven books together, it’s about the life and death of a universe,” she told them.
• During the casting process, David McKenna (Digory) and Beatrice Campbell (Polly) teared up as Greta Gerwig explained how C.S. Lewis lost his mother to cancer.
• Gerwig had a dream about Meryl Streep playing Aslan. “It felt fitting to me, as Lewis wrote about dreaming of lions when he first began writing the Narnia books.”
• During filming, Meryl Streep would stand on a ladder and read Aslan’s dialogue.
• Gerwig was present when Streep recorded her vocal cameo for Project Hail Mary, which was also produced by Amy Pascal.
• When Daniel Craig (Uncle Andrew) was eight years old, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was the first book he read cover-to-cover.

You can read the full feature by purchasing a copy of the November edition of Empire Magazine in stores tomorrow.

Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew releases worldwide in 142 days (February 12).

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A few notable story points mentioned in the article:

• “Failed attempts involving some rather unfortunate guinea pigs…”
• “London local called Frank, and his loyal horse Strawberry, accidentally tagging along for the ride.”
• “For any keen carpenters out there, don’t be put off – there might be hints at future furniture adventures in Digory and Polly’s tale.”

Read the full article.

Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew releases worldwide in 144 days. (February 12)

UPDATE: Empire has added a new photo showing David McKenna (Digory) and Director Greta Gerwig walking on the London set.

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After being shrouded in secrecy for so long. Netflix has finally pulled back the curtain on Greta Gerwig’s vision of Narnia! Listen to our reactions to Aslan, Charn, Uncle Andrew, Jadis… and even The Eagle and Child.

Listen and then post a comment below!

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Empire Magazine are continuing to unveil their latest batch of Narnia exclusives by offering up a fresh new look at Emma Mackey in costume as Jadis, who appears to be wreaking havoc on the streets of London with her scream.

Keen-eyed Narnia fans however may be more excited to spot that the pub in the background bears the same name as the legendary Eagle & Child pub in Oxford where C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and the other Inklings frequently met

As well as this new image, Jadis actress Emma Mackey also offered up some fresh insights on her character to Empire magazine:

“There’s this great line in the script where she’s described as ‘all chaos and bad plans […] She’s this larger-than-life creature who appears in Digory and Polly’s world and takes them by surprise.”

Read the full article here

Thanks to Matthew Milarch on our Discord Server for the heads up!

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Empire Magazine are continuing their exclusive reveals for Greta Gerwig’s upcoming adaptation of The Magician’s Nephew by offering us our first ever look at Daniel Craig in costume as Uncle Andrew.

Craig himself has also opened up about the role for the first time, telling Empire Magazine:

“I’d like to say that his intentions are good, but I’m not sure that they are […] It’s not to say that he’s cruel and mean and awful. He gets overexcited about what could be, and therefore overlooks the people around him and the consequences of what he’s doing.”

Read the full article here.

Thanks to ‘SilverChair’ on our Discord server for the heads up!

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Another article from Empire Magazine has landed, this one focusing on the musical sources that influenced Geta Gerwig’s vision for Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew.

The article clarifies that the movie is not a musical, but “British rock music from the ‘60s and ‘70s – the glam scene, the proggy wildness – all proved significant creative touchpoints for Gerwig.”

Greta Gerwig: “Narnia is literally a world made out of music. It is a world sung to life by Aslan, and rock ’n’ roll to me felt like a world made out of music.”

Also included is our first official look at Jadis, apparently leading Digory and Polly through the ruins of Charn (above)

Read the full article here.

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Empire Magazine has the first official look at Aslan’s design in the upcoming Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew film and “he’s” voiced by Meryl Streep.

This new edition, on sale Thursday, September 24, will bring you face-to-face with none other than Aslan, the mythical lion at the heart of Lewis’ saga. In Gerwig’s film, Aslan’s heterochromic eyes and bold red-striped visage nods to one of her key creative inspirations: David Bowie.”

Greta Gerwig explains her casting choice:

“I wanted someone who was profound but not pretentious, who had gravitas but not morose self-seriousness. Someone who could communicate depth and pathos as well as joy and delight, as a wisdom of experience, but who also had the capacity of fresh wonder, like a child. And also to be one of the greatest actors to ever do it. That list is not a long one.”

What do you think?

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Time for another mailbag episode of the show! We asked NarniaWebbers around the world to submit topics for the podcast, and the response was wide-ranging:

• What question would we ask C.S. Lewis? (16:04 mark)
• If we could spend one week in Narnia, where would we go?
• What Narnia spoiler would we erase from our memory if we could?
• Which Narnia audiobook is our favorite?
• Can talking beasts write? How does that work?
• When do we expect to see a trailer for Greta Gerwig’s Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew?
• And many more!

Thanks to everyone in this great community that submitted questions! Please post comment below.

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Netflix has officially revealed a new animated logo for its upcoming Narnia film, along with a behind-the-scenes photo of filmmaker Greta Gerwig on set.

This morning, Netflix took to social media to unveil the new logo, accompanied by the tagline “A universe begins.” The posts also feature the following caption:

“Experience the creation of NARNIA, as filmmaker Greta Gerwig brings to life C. S. Lewis’s beloved story THE MAGICIAN’S NEPHEW for the first time. In theaters worldwide February 12, 2027.”

Netflix has also launched official social media accounts for the film. Fans can follow @NarniaMovie on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter) and visit the newly updated NarniaFilm.com

Midnight Road Entertainment, the production company of Narnia co-producer and C. S. Lewis Company Managing Director Vincent Sieber, also reshared Netflix’s announcement, adding:

“Further Up and Further In. We couldn’t be more exctied for Narnia”

Last May, Gerwig shared how she first encountered The Magician’s Nephew as a child and the lasting impact the story had on her.

“I was a child when I first read The Magician’s Nephew, and I fell in love with the gorgeously improbable but completely brilliant concept of a cosmic lion singing the world of Narnia to life,” says Gerwig. “I didn’t know that I would grow up to make films, but a universe built out of music is an idea that always lived in my heart. It is the honor of a lifetime to be asked to imagine it into being.

Because of C. S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia, I believed in magic and hidden worlds and adventure. I believed that anywhere could be enchanted and that anyone could be swept up into an epic. That wonder and awe was available to everyone, even ordinary people like me. … It transformed me.”

Related:

• Nashville Test Screening Offers New Clues About Greta Gerwig’s Narnia
• Greta Gerwig’s ‘Narnia’ Praised as a “Hand-Knitted” Production Despite $280M Budget
• Movie Tie-in Editions and “Meet Aslan” Book to Release Ahead of Gerwig Film
  

More to come...

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Netflix is still keeping Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew largely under wraps, but the film is making the rounds with test audiences. A new private screening scheduled for later this month in Nashville, Tennessee, gives us a look at the movies Netflix is using to help gauge audience reactions to Greta Gerwig’s new film.

The sign-up invitation describes the screening as an opportunity to “experience the creation of Narnia” and features the following description:

You’re invited to experience the creation of Narnia. From the wild and unlimited imagination of Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Greta Gerwig (Barbie) comes a unique vision of C.S. Lewis’s beloved story The Magician’s Nephew.

A poster accompanying the invitation (see here) features headshots of David McKenna, Beatrice Campbell, Daniel Craig, Carey Mulligan, and Emma Mackey. Interestingly, the poster’s border appears to match the one used on a letter from Greta Gerwig included in the anniversary gift boxes sent out earlier this year.

While anyone between the ages of 15 and 64 in the Nashville area could sign up for the screening, only people who fit the specific demographic Netflix is seeking for this test screening will ultimately be invited to attend. As part of the screening questionnaire, potential attendees were asked to check which movies they had “seen and enjoyed.” The list included:

• The NeverEnding Story
• Labyrinth
• Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore
• Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (any)
• Wicked (1 or 2)
• Project Hail Mary
• Barbie
• Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
• Back to the Future
• Jumanji: The Next Level
• Wonka
• Guardians of the Galaxy (any)

These kinds of questions can help studios better understand the audience they are testing a film with. By asking viewers which existing movies they have seen and enjoyed, filmmakers can get a better sense of the tastes and expectations of the particular audience watching their film and compare their reactions against those preferences. The specific titles chosen can also reflect the kinds of audiences or genres the studio believes may overlap with its own movie.

The list is an interesting mix of fantasy adventure films, family-friendly blockbusters, and movies with strong musical elements. Several of the choices also line up with what we’ve previously heard about Gerwig’s Narnia, from its reported rock-and-roll influence to its emphasis on practical creature effects.

Labyrinth, The NeverEnding Story, and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice are particularly notable in that regard and happen to be new additions compared to the same list used for previous screenings.

Previous Screenings

Multiple test screenings of an unfinished The Magician’s Nephew have been taking place in New York and New Jersey, where post-production is based, with reports of mixed reactions from some audiences.

While we aren’t able to share much of what we’ve heard, we can say that an individual who attended one of the screenings was “surprised” to hear that it had received a mixed reaction. The attendee personally rated the movie highly, saying:

It is very faithful to the book by what I could tell from reading [this] summary of the book. I can’t wait to see it again finished.”

As with any test screening, the version of the film shown to audiences is not necessarily representative of the finished movie. Scenes can be extended, removed, or changed based on audience feedback, and visual effects are often very rough, making it difficult to draw firm conclusions about the final film from any one screening.

In any case, fans won’t have to wait much longer to see the finished film for themselves, with Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew set to arrive in theatres worldwide on February 10th, 2027.

Have you heard any details from one of the test screenings? Fill out an anonymous spy report or send us an email to keep us in the loop!

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The books, including a stand-alone edition of The Magician’s Nephew, will be available at most common book carriers including Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million, Bookshop, Target, and Walmart.

No official cover art has been released yet, but it is common for tie-in editions to use a poster for the new adaptation as a cover, which makes it appear possible that the first poster for the Gerwig film will be released by that point.

A tie-in edition for the 2005 Walden adaptation of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

In addition, an I Can Read children’s book titled “Meet Aslan” will be released by HarperCollins on January 19, 2027. It has been illustrated by Thai My Phuong. According to HarperCollins, the book is:

A Level 2 ‘I Can Read‘ introducing emerging readers to one of the most beloved literary characters of all-time— Aslan, the Great Lion from C. S. Lewis’s bestselling classic fantasy series. Aslan is the Great Lion. He creates Narnia with his song. . . [the] book [features] an engaging story, longer sentences, and language play perfect for developing readers.”

No cover image is available for this title yet. However, Thai My Phuong also came out with an illustrated edition of The Magician’s Nephew earlier this year, which may give readers an idea of the art style. You can watch NarniaWeb’s review here.

Are you a fan of movie-tie editions for book covers? Are you interested in the Meet Aslan children’s book? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

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We first reported earlier this year that Funko, best known for its popular Pop! Vinyls line, would be producing a line of Narnia products based on Greta Gerwig’s upcoming adaptation of The Magician’s Nephew. Now, updated listings from several international sellers have given us our first hints at what the film’s marketing may emphasize.

Depending on the market, it appears that up to five figures will be released. Three will be standard-sized Pop! figures, while the remaining two are listed as a Super and a Premium figure.

More revealing are the product descriptions accompanying the figures, several of which reference key elements of the story:

Magic rings can open doors to entirely new worlds. Funko POP! The Magician’s Nephew steps into your Chronicles of Narnia collection with the story that started it all. 

The story of Narnia’s creation comes to your shelf. Funko POP! The Magician’s Nephew joins your Chronicles of Narnia collection as a must-have for fans of the classic tale. 

A new world begins with a single step through a garden. Funko POP! The Magician’s Nephew joins your Chronicles of Narnia collection as the tale’s origin unfolds.

Every legend has a beginning. Funko POP! The Magician’s Nephew makes a Super-line addition to your Chronicles of Narnia collection.

The most notable detail is the explicit mention of magic rings. In C.S. Lewis’ novel, Uncle Andrew’s rings allow Digory and Polly (and a Guinea Pig) to travel into the Wood between the Worlds, setting them on the path to Narnia.

While it would hardly come as a surprise to Narnia fans that the rings would feature in an adaptation of The Magician’s Nephew, this is our first indication from the film’s licensed merchandise that they will play a role in Gerwig’s adaptation.

The references to Narnia’s creation and the story’s origins are fairly straightforward, particularly given Netflix’s current logline, which says the film will invite audiences to “experience the creation of Narnia.” But the line about a “single step through a garden” is more open to interpretation.

Of course, Funko’s product listings aren’t necessarily intended to provide detailed plot information. Still, with Netflix yet to release a trailer for the film, even these small details offer an interesting glimpse at how The Magician’s Nephew is being presented to the public — and potentially at which elements of the story will receive particular emphasis in the marketing.

Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew is scheduled to arrive in theatres on February 12, 2027, before coming to Netflix later that year.

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For me personally, the emphasis on joy might be the most distinguishing feature of C.S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia. I imagine it takes a lot of confidence for a writer to a take break from dramatic tension and give the reader a chance to bask in beauty, wonder, and pure goodness. Lewis does this many times throughout the Narnia books, and I suspect it is the main thing that draws me back to them again and again. In this episode, we share the moments from these stories that have filled us up with joy the most. We hope it brightens your day, and that you will share your favorite moments in a comment! –Gp

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Award-winning casting director Nina Gold has offered some brief new insights into the casting process for Greta Gerwig’s upcoming adaptation of The Magician’s Nephew in a recent short interview with the casting website Backstage.

Gold herself kick-started the search for Narnia’s two young leads back in January 2025 with an open casting call sent to drama schools, acting groups, and talent agencies across the UK, which required children to perform a short piece to camera about their “happiest memory”.

Backstage asked Gold about this somewhat unconventional approach to casting, and what advice she would give to young actors:

Backstage: When casting Netflix’s “Narnia,” you asked kids to tell stories rather than perform scenes. What advice do you have for actors who are so focused on the “perfect” performance that they lose some of their authenticity?

Nina Gold: It’s really hard, but as a child actor, you just have to bring what you’ve got. It’s not necessarily about having learned all the lines in one particular way. It’s about seeing different sides of a person and seeing what sort of potential they have, and the rest of it can possibly come later. Also, it’s meant to be fun. If you’re a child actor, it really is supposed to be fun. Otherwise, what’s the point?

The second round of the audition process involved the children performing a more traditional dialogue scene featuring two fictional characters, named Isadore and Frannie, in a scene loosely resembling Digory and Polly’s first meeting in the book.

Multiple rounds of casting eventually saw David McKenna and Beatrice Campbell secure the highly coveted roles.

Backstage: What specific traits or qualities were you looking for when casting the new ‘Narnia’?

Nina Gold: We were looking for kids who could occupy the center of this gigantic story and keep you wanting to watch them, which is an incredibly big ask for children to bring enough acting talent and their own personality to the whole thing.

The Narnia cast and crew have continued to speak highly of both David and Beatrice, with Nina Gold, who also worked alongside Francine Maisler on the casting for Narnia, previously describing Digory actor David McKenna as “an old soul” and “quite unusually brilliant”.

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The report comes from a NarniaWeb reader who attended a masterclass with McGarvey at the Armenian Cinematographers Guild workshop on July 15, 2026, during the Golden Apricot International Film Festival in Yerevan, Armenia.

McGarvey spoke about Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew with fondness, describing the production as “the biggest budget hand-knitted project,” and said that the filmmakers had “a dream of poetry in our souls” while working on the film.

He also revealed that he had recently watched a rough cut of the film with Gerwig in London. The screening took place on July 10, and he described getting completely absorbed in what he was watching.

He said that when he watched the Narnia rough cut, he was lost inside the film – that’s how he knew it was a good film. He was really just excited about it and talked about the film with such wonder.”

McGarvey also discussed the importance of having writers involved during the filmmaking process. He said his best experiences on set have come when writers are present because they can remind filmmakers of the meaning behind a story, even when production deadlines are tight.

McGarvey mentioned that he had read The Magician’s Nephew before becoming involved with the film. During the masterclass, while responding to a question about Narnia, he described screenplays in general as the “rarefied version” of novels, which are denser and contain more ideas.

Following the event, the reader also had an opportunity to speak with McGarvey privately, where the cinematographer discussed the film’s visual approach and its treatment of grief.

When I talked to [Seamus] later on, he was excited about the nature or the visuals of dreamscapes in the film. I also mentioned I read and reread the Narnia series growing up and The Magician’s Nephew is the book that taught me deeply about grief during a personal experience. And he said that yes, the film will talk about grief, given what happened to the boy’s mother.”

McGarvey then personally recommended reading C.S. Lewis’s A Grief Observed (1961), calling it “the ultimate book on grief”. When the reader mentioned that McGarvey and Lewis were both from Northern Ireland, he replied:

“Oh yes, but have you heard his accent? It’s so different! It’s posh!”

Based on their conversation, the reader came away with the impression that grief is being treated as a meaningful theme in Gerwig’s adaptation.

During a podcast appearance last November, Seamus McGarvey casually remarked that the film had a $280 million production budget.

Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew recently resumed production, with additional photography picking up at Shepperton Studios. The film is scheduled to open in theatres worldwide on February 12, 2027, just over six months from now.

Have a scoop or inside information about Netflix’s Narnia production? Help keep NarniaWeb up to date by sending us an anonymous Spy Report here!

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What do you think about this new adaptation? Watch our review and then post a comment!

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A source close to the production told NarniaWeb this is “additional photography happening, not reshoots.” We also believe that the principal cast is not expected to participate, suggesting the shooting is not extensive. Production is expected to last no more than two weeks.

Additional filming is a normal part of the filmmaking process. Netflix’s Cliff Booth is planning a few more days of shooting ahead of its November release. Famously, The Lord of the Rings trilogy filmed for 14 months, but then returned for pickup shooting prior to each movie’s release. Significant reshoots, on the other hand, would mean throwing away footage that has already been shot and completely redoing scenes. Although Jeff Sneider recently reported that Narnia “hasn’t been testing as well as Netflix hoped,” all signs point to this additional filming being fairly minimal.

Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew begins its theatrical run on February 10, 2027. What moments from the book are you most excited to see in a movie adaptation? Post a comment below!

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David McKenna and Beatrice Campbell may be newcomers to the screen, but they have already earned high praise from one of their veteran co-stars.

In a new interview with Porter Magazine, Emma Mackey spoke warmly about the young actors leading Greta Gerwig’s Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew, describing the experience of working alongside them as transformative.

I’ve never really worked with young actors before,” Mackey said of David McKenna and Beatrice Campbell, who play Digory Kirke and Polly Plummer. “They’re so talented. It really changes you as a performer because you start to see it through their eyes.”

While the interview offered little in the way of new details, Mackey did briefly touch on playing the film’s villain. Laughing off requests to reveal more about the notoriously secretive production, she described the role as “very fun,” particularly because of the scale of the project.

Mackey isn’t the only cast member who appears to have enjoyed stepping into a villainous role. Earlier this year, Daniel Craig’s longtime body double, Mark W. Taylor, revealed that the actor was “a lot more relaxed” while playing Uncle Andrew than he had been during his James Bond years.

Mackey’s praise for her young co-stars also comes as both actors continue to attract attention beyond Narnia. McKenna, in particular, has been tipped as one to watch after recently signing with leading Hollywood talent agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA), which also represents Greta Gerwig.

With Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew marking the first major feature role for both young actors, Mackey’s comments offer an early indication of the impression they have made on their co-stars.

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“They are starting with the book before The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. They’re doing The Magician’s Nephew, so Tumnus does not appear in it. . . Listen, maybe, when they get round to The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe . . . they’ll be coming back and calling. I heavily doubt it, but you never know. And in The Horse and His Boy, which I think Tumnus only really ever appears in [those two], and [that] The Horse and His Boy takes place a lot longer later, so maybe there’s a shot that I could play the older Tumnus!. . . Greta, call me!”

McAvoy played Mr. Tumnus in the Walden Media’s The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005).

Greta Gerwig’s Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew releases February 2027.

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Back in 2024, two years before Netflix officially confirmed that Greta Gerwig would begin her Narnia series with The Magician’s Nephew, Jason Isaacs casually revealed the news in an interview — unknowingly spoiling what was, at the time, a tightly guarded secret. 

Now, Isaacs has explained how it happened.

I just know one of the people working on the production team and I know they are working on The Magician’s Nephew, I think. So when I did a collection of ‘best books’, I picked it; I thought my friend would like it. I didn’t know I was blowing some terrible secret. […] I certainly have nothing to do with the film. But [Greta Gerwig] is a phenomenal director and they were my favourite books growing up”

Isaacs’ original comments attracted attention because, at the time, Netflix had not publicly revealed which of C.S. Lewis’ seven Chronicles of Narnia books Gerwig was adapting first. While fans had long speculated that The Magician’s Nephew could be the starting point, no official confirmation existed until 2026, when Netflix inadvertently uploaded the title to their streaming platform in select international markets.

Isaacs also spoke warmly about Lewis’ books and expressed his enthusiasm for Gerwig’s interpretation.

I do think the Narnia books deserve slightly better treatment than they’ve had because they captivated me so much as a kid. I learned so much about life from them. I can’t wait to see what she does with them.”

You can watch the exchange in full here. Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew opens in theatres February 2027. 

Do you think Jason Isaacs would make a good fit for any Narnia character? Would you want to see him involved in a future movie? Leave a comment below and let us know.

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Netflix has announced that Sony Pictures Entertainment will handle international distribution and box-office reporting for the theatrical release of Greta Gerwig’s upcoming adaptation of Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew.

The partnership marks another major step forward for the film’s theatrical plans. While Netflix has traditionally released its films primarily through its streaming platform, The Magician’s Nephew will become the company’s first wide theatrical release and its first film to receive an exclusive theatrical window of at least 45 days before arriving on Netflix.

Explaining the decision, Netflix Film chairman Dan Lin emphasized that Gerwig’s adaptation warranted a different approach:

“Greta’s Narnia is exactly the kind of bold, ambitious filmmaking we love to champion. While most of our films debut on Netflix, sometimes a film like this comes along and we can give the filmmaker a different canvas and fans a theatrical experience that complements its Netflix release. I can’t wait for people to discover Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew, and then fall in love with it again and again streaming on Netflix.”

Sony’s involvement also represents a full-circle moment for the Narnia franchise. In 2016, the studio signed on to distribute the planned adaptation of The Silver Chair, which producer Mark Gordon was developing after acquiring the Narnia rights in 2013. The project was ultimately shelved after Netflix secured the rights to C.S. Lewis’s series in 2018.

The film will be released in IMAX and theatres worldwide on February 12, 2027, with sneak previews beginning exclusively in IMAX on February 10. Following its theatrical run, Narnia will debut on Netflix on April 2, 2027.

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In this episode, the podcasters list their favorite characters that only appear in one or two chapters in C.S. Lewis’s Narnia books. These characters stand out in our memories despite only appearing briefly.

Who did we miss? Listen to the discussion and then post your favorites below!

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David McKenna – the 13-year-old Belfast native cast as Digory Kirke in Greta Gerwig’s Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew – has finally spoken publicly about his involvement with the film.

The comments came during a new interview with Decider promoting his breakout turn as Piggy in Netflix’s Lord of the Flies.

Until now, McKenna has stayed conspicuously tight-lipped. When Deadline spoke to him back in March, his casting had not been officially confirmed, and he would only tease that he had “wrapped a feature film that will be on IMAX this year.” 

With Netflix having since confirmed the cast, the embargo has evidently loosened, if only a little.

Asked by Decider what it was like to share a set with Gerwig, Meryl Streep, and Daniel Craig, and what he could tease, McKenna kept things warm but guarded:

It was a brilliant experience, honestly. I mean, I can’t wait to talk about it a lot more whenever that time comes. But no, it was a brilliant experience and Greta was amazing to work with. She’s just brilliant. And yeah, I can’t wait for everyone to see it and I hope they all enjoy it.”

David McKenna

As with all public comments from the cast; a diplomatic non-answer. However, there is a neat thread linking his two big projects.

Casting director Nina Gold (the powerhouse behind Game of Thrones, The Crown, and Baby Reindeer) worked on both Lord of the Flies and Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew. In a recent interview for IndieWire, she commented: 

He’s quite a kind of old soul, isn’t he? You feel like you can see into his brain somehow when he’s looking at you from the screen. He really is quite unusually brilliant”. 

Nina Gold

McKenna will make his big-screen debut as Digory when Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew opens in IMAX theaters on February 10 ahead of its full theatrical release on February 12.

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Greta Gerwig’s Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew has reportedly faced its first audience. According to World of Reel‘s Jordan Ruimy, an early cut of the film (running roughly two hours) was recently shown at a test screening, with Gerwig herself on hand.

NarniaWeb’s sources indicate there have been at least two test-screenings over the last three weeks, one in New York and another in New Jersey. Both screenings were for non-industry audiences, with the second apparently intended for families.

Ruimy describes the version screened as rough and unfinished, with visual effects nowhere near complete. However, he does mention that it had an “intentionally anachronistic” soundtrack with “rock music throughout the film,” comparing it to Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette (2006), which used anarchistic songs in a period setting.

It has been common knowledge since filming started that the book’s late Victorian setting has been moved ahead to the time of its original publication, 1955.

Of course, the usual caveats still apply. This is a single early report from a site with a hit-or-miss track record about a single early cut designed *specifically* to gauge audience reaction to the film and its approach. Plenty can change between a test screening and a finished film. Indeed, scores are often the most frequently changed element of a movie when undergoing test-screening. 

Gerwig has previously talked at length about test-screening all three of her previous films:

I found [screen testing] was really valuable for a few reasons. One of which was, you lose the ability to almost watch your movie after a while. And when I had new people sitting and watching, I was able to see it with their eyes. And then the notes that they would give, sometimes we take, sometimes we wouldn’t, but it was more like looking for patterns. Like did this come up more than once with different people? Is there confusion? I think that was a big part of it.”

Greta Gerwig, The Deadline Podcast (35:48), 2018

Ruimy himself recently wrote at length about how little early test screenings actually tell us, citing the likes of Fight Club, The Shawshank Redemption, and Mad Max: Fury Road. All films that confused or underwhelmed preview audiences before releasing to great acclaim. 

We’ll update as more is confirmed. Does this Rock or should heads Roll? Tell us below!

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Reports emerging following Licensing Expo 2026 in Las Vegas suggest Mattel is preparing a wide range of products tied to Greta Gerwig’s upcoming adaptation of The Magician’s Nephew for Netflix.

While the plans have not been officially announced, collector account SeeingMount tells us that the following toys, dolls, and games are currently in development:

• Jadis Collector’s Doll ($43.99)

• A horse ($43.99)

• Mattel Creations Exclusive Figure ($120) 

• Two Small Figure Packs ($21.99)

• Polly Pocket Compact

• UNO Card Game

While Netflix has not yet publicly detailed its merchandise strategy for Narnia, we reported earlier this year that Funko, known for its Pop! Vinyl line, has confirmed plans to produce Narnia-related products.

This reported merchandise push aligns with Netflix’s wider focus to expand its major franchises beyond film and television into products and immersive experiences. Speaking ahead of Licensing Expo 2026, Netflix Chief Marketing Officer Marian Lee emphasized the company’s collaborative approach to franchise tie-ins.

Our teams have to be really working together to launch a new product,” Lee said. “They’re all working together to hit the beats for the fandom. If we don’t get it right, the fans tell us and they tell us pretty vocally and loudly, and so we pay attention. We’re always listening.”

“Experiential is a big one for us. I don’t know if it’s a post-COVID thing or if people live digitally all day long and then want to do things in real life, but it will continue to be a huge element [of marketing] for us.”

Netflix Senior Director of Marketing Partnerships Jordan Peters also referenced Greta Gerwig’s Narnia project in a recent interview with The Drum, suggesting early confidence in its cultural impact.

Narnia – I would make space in advance for Greta Gerwig’s adaptation of The Magician’s Nephew coming in 2027. It’s going to be something very special.”

As always, until Netflix or Mattel formally confirm these products, all details should be taken with a grain of salt and be considered subject to change.

Related:

• Narnia Themed Attractions Planned for Netflix House Locations
• ‘Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew’ to Receive Funko Pop and Licensed Merchandise

The post Mattel Planning ‘White Witch’ Doll and Collector Toys for 2027 Narnia Line (Updated) appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.

As one of the English language’s most widely read authors and theologians, with a personal life as interesting and dramatic as any he invented, it is perhaps unsurprising that C.S. Lewis has inspired a lengthy and rich tradition of dramatic portrayals.

This list comprises a small selection of the many actors who have portrayed him over the years, on screen, on stage, and on radio. The range of productions and actors standing as a strong testament to the continuing impact of Lewis’s work and his life.   

Joss Ackland (1985)

One of Britain’s most recognizable character actors, known for playing the villainous Arjen Rudd in Lethal Weapon 2 (1989), Admiral Greer’s predecessor in The Hunt for Red October (1990), and a wide range of stage and screen roles spanning six decades, Ackland starred as Lewis in the original BBC TV film Shadowlands (1985), directed by Norman Stone. He reportedly regarded the role as one of his favorites. Watch the trailer.

Nigel Hawthorne (1989)

Celebrated above all for his role as the obstructive Sir Humphrey Appleby in the BBC comedies Yes Minister and Yes, Prime Minister, and for his Oscar-nominated performance in The Madness of King George (1994), Hawthorne originated the role of Lewis in William Nicholson’s Shadowlands on stage, opening at the Theatre Royal Plymouth in October 1989 and transferring to the West End before moving to Broadway, where he won the Tony Award for Best Actor in 1991.

David Payne (1990s)

Primarily known for his extensive work bringing C.S. Lewis to life on stage, as well as his one-man show on Winston Churchill, Payne has been performing An Evening with C.S. Lewis for roughly 30 years, accumulating well over 1,000 performances across the U.S., UK, and Canada. He first played Lewis after being cast as the lead in a regional production of Shadowlands in Nashville in the 1990s. Watch a clip.

Anthony Hopkins (1993)

One of the most acclaimed actors of his generation, known for his Oscar-winning portrayal of Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs (1991), his role in The Remains of the Day (1993), and his Oscar-winning turn in The Father (2020) among many others, Hopkins played C.S. Lewis in Shadowlands (1993), directed by Richard Attenborough, opposite Debra Winger as Joy Davidman. The film won the BAFTA Award for Outstanding British Film. Watch the trailer.

Simon Jones (2004, 2008)

Best known for playing the hapless Arthur Dent in both the BBC radio and television adaptations of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, and for his role as Charles Ryder’s friend Sebastian Flyte’s circle in the 1981 television adaptation of Brideshead Revisited, Jones has played Lewis in two separate productions: first in the PBS docudrama The Question of God: C.S. Lewis & Sigmund Freud (2004), and later on stage opposite Charity Jones as Joy Gresham Davidman in a 2008 production of Shadowlands at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis.

Charles Dance (2007)

Known to millions as the calculating Tywin Lannister in Game of Thrones and Guy Perron in the television adaptation of The Jewel in the Crown (1984), Dance starred as Lewis in the first major revival of Shadowlands, which premiered at Cambridge Arts Theatre in September 2007 before transferring to London’s Wyndham’s Theatre.

Geoffrey Palmer (2009)

A beloved figure in British television for many decades, best known for playing Lionel Hardcastle opposite Judi Dench in the long-running BBC sitcom As Time Goes By, as well as memorable guest appearances in the James Bond and Doctor Who franchises, Palmer voiced C.S. Lewis in the Focus on the Family Radio Theatre’s full-cast dramatization of The Screwtape Letters (2009). Appearing in a framing capacity alongside Andy Serkis as Screwtape. Watch a clip.

Jeremy Northam (2013)

Known for his roles as Mr. Knightley in the 1996 adaptation of Emma, as Thomas More in the Showtime series The Tudors, and in Robert Altman’s Gosford Park (2001), Northam voiced C.S. Lewis in C.S. Lewis at War: The Dramatic Story Behind Mere Christianity, a 2013 audio drama for Focus on the Family Radio Theatre dramatizing the behind-the-scenes story of how Lewis came to deliver the wartime BBC broadcasts that became Mere Christianity.

Additionally, Northam narrated the 2004 unabridged audiobook of The Silver Chair. 

Tom Cavanagh (2013)

Best known for his starring role as Ed Stevens in the NBC dramedy Ed (2000–2004), for which he received a Golden Globe nomination, and for playing Harrison Wells and the Reverse-Flash across nine seasons of The Flash on The CW, Cavanagh played C.S. Lewis opposite two-time Tony Award winner Judd Hirsch as Sigmund Freud in a 2013 production of Mark St. Germain’s Freud’s Last Session at The Broad Stage in Santa Monica, California. Watch a clip.

Max McLean (2016-2021)

The founder and artistic director of the Fellowship for Performing Arts in New York City, McLean is perhaps best known in theatre circles for his long-running portrayal of the demon Screwtape in the FPA’s acclaimed stage adaptation of The Screwtape Letters, which played in New York, London, and an extensive national tour. Beyond his work in the 2021 film The Most Reluctant Convert, he has performed as Lewis in multiple one-man stage productions, including C.S. Lewis on Stage: The Most Reluctant Convert and the standalone sequel C.S. Lewis on Stage: Further Up & Further In.

Listen to NarniaWeb’s interview with Max McLean here.

Daniel Gerroll (2017)

With a wide range of film and television credits ranging from Chariots of Fire (1981) to Seinfeld (1994) and numerous celebrated stage productions, Gerroll played Lewis in the Fellowship for Performing Arts’ Off-Broadway revival of Shadowlands, the first New York revival of the play.

Matthew Goode (2023)

Known for his roles in The Imitation Game (2014), Downton Abbey, and opposite Scarlett Johansson in Woody Allen’s Match Point (2005), Goode played a younger C.S. Lewis in the 2023 film adaptation of Freud’s Last Session, opposite Anthony Hopkins as Sigmund Freud. Watch the trailer.

Hugh Bonneville (2019, 2026)

Best known for playing the patrician Lord Grantham across all six series and three films in the Downton Abbey franchise and the endearing Mr. Brown in the Paddington films, Bonneville starred as Lewis in a production of Shadowlands that opened at the Chichester Festival Theatre in April 2019. The production was revived at the Aldwych Theatre in London in early 2026, with Bonneville reprising the role. Watch a clip of Bonneville reading from The Magician’s Nephew.

What is your favorite portrayal of C.S. Lewis? Post a comment below!

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Narnia publisher HarperCollins is gearing up for renewed interest in The Magician’s Nephew ahead of Greta Gerwig’s and Netflix’s upcoming film adaptation in early 2027, with brand new picture and board book adaptations aimed at younger readers.

A new picture book version of The Magician’s Nephew is on the way, featuring illustrations by Vietnamese illustrator Thai My Phuong. The 32-page hardcover picture book goes on sale on July 21, 2026, priced at $19.99 (USD), and is now available to pre-order.

“A picture book retelling of C. S. Lewis’s classic story The Magician’s Nephew, abridged for the youngest fans! Introduce readers to the magic of Narnia with this all-new picture book featuring illustrations by Thai My Phuong”

The newly revealed official cover design for the picture book can be seen below alongside an alternate version featuring Jadis on horseback that has also appeared online.

Additionally, HarperCollins is releasing a new board book adaptation illustrated by Joey Chou, the artist behind 2025’s Narnia: Animals, Narnia: A Counting Book, and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe board book.

“A gentle board book retelling of C. S. Lewis’s beloved classic, The Magician’s Nephew, perfect for story time with the youngest readers! This is a story about something that happened long ago, when the land of Narnia first began. It all started with two children, some magical rings, and a lion . . .”

The 32-page board book adaptation is currently scheduled for release in September 2026, priced at $10.99 (USD), and is also available for pre-order.

Update 05/28/26

These won’t be the only Narnia releases arriving in the near future! We’re now aware of an even larger wave of unannounced titles scheduled for later this year into early 2027, including deluxe editions, a boxed set, new I Can Read movie tie-ins, and another graphic novel project. Stay tuned for more details!

Are you planning to check out either of these new editions? Let us know which one you’re most excited for in the comments below!

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NarniaWeb has learned that a new illustrated edition of the beloved story will be released through HarperAlley, a division of HarperCollins. The graphic novel is expected to feature 256 pages of artwork by Fiona Staples.

Staples is an award-winning Canadian comic-book artist best known for her work on the acclaimed Saga series. She is also a longtime Narnia fan, previously listing The Chronicles of Narnia among her favourite fantasy stories.

HarperCollins currently lists the graphic novel for release on September 7, 2027, though that is subject to change as the title has already undergone at least one delay after previously being planned for the 75th anniversary of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe last year. The project appears to have been in development since at least 2023.

At this stage, no high-resolution artwork or preview pages have been publicly released, but an early version of the cover design featuring Staples’ illustration has surfaced online.

This marks the third official time Narnia has received the graphic novel treatment. Previous adaptations included versions of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and The Magician’s Nephew, illustrated by Robin Lawrie in 1995 and 1999, respectively.

Are you excited for this Narnia graphic novel? What’s your first impression of the early cover artwork? 

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IMAX CEO Rich Gelfond projected optimism regarding the box office prospects of the new Netflix’s Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew, following its release date being delayed a few months and no longer being an IMAX exclusive. The film releases in IMAX on February 10, 2027 and then begins full theatrical run two days later.

Gelfond was recently interviewed at an investor chat at the 2026 Global Technology, Media and Communication Conference put on by JP Morgan bank. While there, he discussed the upcoming film, saying:

“The final thing I would say is Narnia itself. So as you know February is traditionally a very weak month, its moved to Super Bowl week, which is traditionally a very weak date… we have been working hard with Greta, as you recall from the press release, you know I think we played a role in Netflix agreeing to open it up very wide. We still have an exclusive for the first couple of days going forward. They are going to lean in with a lot of marketing to it. So if I’m right, and we have a really good replacement, the movement today looks like not the best thing, but I think people will be comfortable that its not only good for us, but good for the whole business, because we help turn that into a “Day and Date” release wide.”

Is the move of the release date a good idea, or does it mean much lower box office numbers for the film? Post a comment below.

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Ever since the recent surprise announcement that Greta Gerwig’s Narnia movie had been pushed back to 2027, many online news outlets have been citing a production budget of over $320 million for the project. But where did this number come from, and is it accurate?

The claim appears to have originated from film industry journalist Matthew Belloni, who mentioned on his podcast ‘The Town’ that he had heard that the Narnia film was going to be “the most expensive movie Netflix has ever made” or at least “among” the most expensive.

Thus, given that the current highest budgeted Netflix movie ever was 2025’s The Electric State, which cost a reported $320 million to produce, many commentators have concluded that Narnia’s budget is likely some way north of this figure.

However, it is worth noting that Belloni was only speaking off-hand about a rumor he had heard from his industry sources, rather than quoting any specific production figures.

It is also worth noting that film budgets tend to be closely guarded secrets in Hollywood, and are often difficult to determine. Costs are often offset by hidden tax incentives, and most movies’ budgets are typically only estimable to within a range of values.

Another key factor here is that Netflix’s traditional “streaming-only” releases (such as the aforementioned Electric State) often have inflated budgets, due to the fact that the absence of a box-office income for the movie, means they have to offer actors a larger upfront payment before filming starts, rather than offering them a percentage of the box-office gross later down the line.

That said, IMAX CEO Rich Gelfond has also alluded to the Narnia film’s sizeable budget in the past, telling investors at the 2025 Investor Day event: “trust me, there’s a very blockbuster budget”. Therefore it would not come as a surprise if the $320 million figure quoted for Narnia proved to be more-or-less accurate.

At present, the reported all-time highest movie budget for any film, was for Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015), with a budget rumored to be just over $533 million (not adjusted for inflation).

The post Is Narnia Netflix’s Most Expensive Movie Ever? appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.

Cinema chiefs and film-industry insiders have been reacting positively to Netflix’s unprecedented decision to offer a full, wide-theatrical release, to Greta Gerwig’s upcoming Narnia film, with AMC Entertainment CEO Adam Aron describing the deal as “the biggest opportunity our industry has ever had to embrace Netflix as a theatrical content provider”.

Echoing those sentiments, the advocacy organization Cinema United described the deal as “welcome news”, adding that they “applaud Ted [Sarandos, co-CEO] and the whole team at Netflix for bringing this film to movie fans around the world“.

But how did we get to this much-heralded outcome after Netflix had resisted the overtures of cinema owners for so long?

The Original Plans

Gerwig’s Narnia movie was originally scheduled to release exclusively in IMAX screens on Thanksgiving Day 2026, for a limited two week run across just 1,000 IMAX screens, before releasing on Netflix less than a month later.

Gerwig was reported to have personally pushed hard, just to even get this limited-release deal from Netflix; a company which has traditionally adopted a “streaming first” philosophy for all its original content. Previously, they had only ever offered limited theatrical runs, in select markets, to just a handful of movies, often merely to meet awards season criteria.

Nevertheless, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos was reported to have reluctantly agreed to the original IMAX compromise for Narnia’s release, likely due to Gerwig’s enhanced star power following the critical and commercial success of Barbie, and after a string of three straight Best Picture nominations at the Academy Awards.

Netflix were though apparently keen on the Christmas Day streaming release, as Greta Gerwig is said to be “leaning in” to the Christian aspects of the books with her adaptation, according to insights offered by film industry journalist Matt Belloni.

Since the IMAX deal was announced however, Netflix had been facing pressure from the cinema chains which host the IMAX screens, about the impact that such a short window of exclusivity would have on their revenues. Some cinema chains, such as Regal and Cinemark, even went as far as to threaten to refuse to play the film at all.

Whilst IMAX CEO Rich Gelfond had threatened to deploy the so-called “nuclear option” of forcing film exhibitors to screen the film regardless, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos was still attempting to convince the chains of Netflix’s long-term intentions for further theatrical releases as recently as April 12th, at CinemaCon in Las Vegas, though no discussion of altering the Narnia deal was reported to have taken place at the time.

A Delay in Production

However, that all appears to have changed over the last few weeks as it became clear that the Narnia film (which is around 3 months into a 10 month post-production period) would no longer be able to meet its November 26th deadline.

This postponement appears to have been the follow-on consequence of the 6 week filming delay which we first reported on back in June 2025. It has since been reported that this delay was the result of an injury or illness to one of the main cast, which meant that the film’s producers were forced to push the release date into the new year.

Netflix could, however, simply have chosen to stick with the original limited-release IMAX distribution model on a new date, however the opportunity presented by the delay seemingly allowed them to go in another direction entirely.

Film industry journalist Matt Belloni, speaking on his podcast ‘The Town’, reported that Netflix had been discussing the possibility of a change “for a few months” as a potential Plan B, and indicated that Greta was once again personally involved in securing this new deal.

As a result, the film will now debut with IMAX sneak previews starting on February 10th 2027, before expanding out to a wide theatrical release across all cinemas on Friday February 12th at the start of the President’s Day Weekend. The film will then run in theaters for a full 45 day exclusive window, prior to its streaming release on April 2nd.

Why Did The Strategy Change?

Since the new deal was announced, film industry commentators have been speculating on Netflix’s rationale for making such a bold and unprecedented move; one which will not only mark Netflix’s first wide theatrical release, but which will also mark the first time they have ever distributed any movie by themselves.

Investor website Simply Wall St. links the overall change in strategy to the announced departure in mid-April of Netflix co-CEO and founder Reed Hastings, who had been a strong advocate for the “Streaming First” philosophy within the company.

Similarly, analysis by No Film School surmises that Netflix’s decision to turn to theatrical distribution was likely based on its overall slowing economic growth and stagnating stock price. This, they claim, has been driven by a plateauing subscriber base, and a natural limit on the company’s ability to implement continuous price hikes as a means to increase cash flow.

With Netflix’s recent attempts to grow their company by purchasing Warner Bros. also thwarted, some have argued that a push towards a theatrical distribution system of their own was the only way for the company to continue to drive its shareholder value.

However, Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw questions this logic, and argues that a single film which makes profits of just a few hundred million, would be unlikely to be of much value to a company whose annual revenue was over $45 billion last year. He did however concede that theatrical distribution would likely pave the way for financial growth in other areas (such as merchandising) and in less tangible ways (such as for sustaining franchise longevity) due to the heightened brand awareness that a successful cinema run can bring.

What’s Next?

The new Narnia deal, as well as the company’s recent attempted acquisition of Warner Bros, may signify that Netflix do intend to pursue theatrical distribution for other films more closely in the future. However, when asked by the New York Times about the Narnia deal, a Netflix spokesperson is reported to have said: “There’s no change to our theatrical strategy”.

One change that may be forthcoming however is in the marketing department. Netflix’s marketing strategy for the Narnia film has, up until now, been somewhat secretive; a strategy which has in-part been driven by the differing requirements for an instantaneous at-home streaming release, compared with the demands of a full theatrical release that requires cinema goers to plan in advance for.

With the film now changed to a full theatrical release however, Netflix’s previously cagey approach to marketing the film will naturally need to adjust accordingly. It is worth noting however that IMAX and Netflix had already committed to doing some form of a theatrical marketing campaign for the movie, though this may now need to be scaled up.

To hear what the Talking Beasts team thought of the release date change, listen to the latest episode of the NarniaWeb podcast here.

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NarniaWebbers will have to wait another few months to see Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew. The movie adaptation from Greta Gerwig has been delayed to February 10, 2027 and will no longer be an IMAX exclusive.

The same press release also included a subtle casting announcement. Who will Ciarán Hinds be playing and does it suggest The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe will be set in roughly present day?

Netflix also shipped NarniaWeb a box of items to commemorate The Magician’s Nephew‘s 71st anniversary. It includes a keepsake suggesting the silver apple and a famous line will be in the movie, and also a note “from the desk of Greta Gerwig” on the impact of the book.

Listen to the podcasters’ reactions and post your own below!

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Members of the NarniaWeb team received packages containing a copy of the book, along with a gift and a note “from the desk of Greta Gerwig.” This is the the first time the Writer/Director has officially acknowledged The Magician’s Nephew as the source material:

I was a child when I first read The Magician’s Nephew, and I fell in love with the gorgeously improbable but completely brilliant concept of a cosmic lion singing the world of Narnia to Life. I didn’t know I would grow up to make films, but a universe built out of music is an idea that always lived in my heart. It is the honor of a lifetime to be asked to imagine it into being.

Because of C.S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia, I believed in magic and hidden worlds and adventure. I believed that anywhere could be enchanted and that anyone could be swept up into an epic. That wonder and awe were available to everyone, even ordinary people like me. 

I hope this book transforms you as it transformed me. I have also enclosed a special keepsake from the set of the film we just shot in London. I cannot wait to bring the whole movie to you, but for now, I wanted you to be able to hold a piece of Narnia.”

With love, Greta Gerwig

That keepsake was a custom pyrography bookmark made from wood sourced from one of the film’s sets in London, engraved with an image of the Tree of Youth and silver apple with the quote: “Narnia, Narnia, Narnia, Awake” below. According to the accompanying note, only 250 copies were produced.

But the box itself might warrant closer inspection. Could this be the box in which Uncle Andrew discovers the Atlantean dust? Or perhaps this is something from Charn? Post your speculations below!

Thank you, Netflix, for the gift commemorating the anniversary of this wonderful story that has impacted so many people for generations.

The post Greta Gerwig, Netflix Send NarniaWeb Surprise ‘Magician’s Nephew’ Anniversary Package appeared first on NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies.

A new press release from Netflix has officially confirmed the main cast members for Greta Gerwig’s upcoming adaptation of ‘The Magician’s Nephew’, including the surprise addition of Northern Irish and Academy Award-nominated actor Ciarán Hinds, in an as-yet undisclosed role.

• David McKenna
• Beatrice Campbell
• Emma Mackey
• Carey Mulligan
• Ciarán Hinds
• Daniel Craig 
• Meryl Streep
• Kobna Holdbrook-Smith
• Denise Gough
• Susan Wokoma 

Ciarán Hinds will be well known to fans of the fantasy genre, having played Mance Rayder in Game of Thrones, Dumbledore’s brother in the final Harry Potter film, and a small role in the Lord of the Rings television spin-off The Rings of Power.

Hind’s role in the film has not been announced. One possibility, we would speculate, is an older Professor Kirke, an aged-up version of the young Digory, played by fellow Belfast native David McKenna.

Also confirmed in the new press release are Kobna Holdbrook Smith and Susan Wokoma, who NarniaWeb first reported on earlier this year. We believe them to be playing Frank and Helen, respectively.

What character do you think Hinds will play in The Magician’s Nephew? Head to our Discussion Forum and let us know!

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Big changes! Netflix has officially announced that Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew will release in February 2027 rather than November 2026. Additionally, its theatrical run will no longer be exclusively on IMAX screens.

New Release Dates

• February 10, 2027 (IMAX sneak previews)
• February 12, 2027 (full theatrical)
• April 2, 2027 (stream on Netflix)

This will be Netflix’s biggest theatrical debut to date, says THR.

New Quotes

Netflix provided the following press release to NarniaWeb:

Academy Award–nominated filmmaker Greta Gerwig’s Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew, an epic adventure, will release in IMAX and wide globally in theaters on February 12, 2027, and on Netflix on April 2, 2027. Sneak previews only in IMAX will begin on February 10, 2027. 

A rare phenomenon that spans generations and geographies, Narnia’s release will match the scale and fandom of C. S. Lewis’s beloved books. Audiences will experience a true cinematic event, in IMAX, theaters and on Netflix.

Written for the screen and directed by Gerwig, the origin story for Narnia is the first ever adaptation of C. S. Lewis’s The Magician’s Nephew — which was published May 2, 1955 and celebrates its 71st anniversary tomorrow — and pairs newcomers David McKenna and Beatrice Campbell with an all-star cast that includes Emma Mackey, Carey Mulligan, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith with Daniel Craig and Meryl Streep, and more. Lewis’ book series captured Gerwig’s imagination from a very young age, and she’s beyond thrilled to bring her singular vision to this beloved world. 

“Working with Netflix to bring this film to life has been extraordinary and IMAX continues to be an incredible partner. I cannot wait for people to see the film in theaters on February 12 and on Netflix on April 2,” says Greta Gerwig. 

The C.S. Lewis Company provided a statement as well:

“It’s incredibly moving to see how deeply Greta Gerwig has embraced C. S. Lewis’s world, and infused Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew with joy, heart, and genuine love for the story. We’re so excited for audiences everywhere to experience her vision — and to share the magic of Narnia with a whole new generation.”

In addition, Netflix released the first logline for the film:

Academy Award–nominated filmmaker Greta Gerwig brings C. S. Lewis’s beloved story The Magician’s Nephew to the screen for the first time in a sweeping adventure that invites dreamers of all ages to experience the creation of Narnia.

AMC CEO Adam Aron posted on X

“At AMC, our cooperative efforts with Netflix picked up steam in the back half of 2025, and  have been immensely successful.  […] It should not be lost on anyone the significance of Netflix trying a real global release of a major film title.”

Reasons for Delay

“Following Netflix’s bid for Warner Bros,” Deadline writes, “sources say the streamer kicked about a wide theatrical release for  Narnia. Gerwig always wanted it. A member of the cast was injured, we hear, which delayed production for six weeks. Narnia would not make its Thanksgiving Imax date, so the decision was made to head to Feb. 12, 2027. I’m told this wasn’t a huddled talks decision that came together with exhibitors over CinemaCon. It was always Plan B.”

Here is everything we know about Greta Gerwig’s Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew.

Look for an upcoming episode of Talking Beasts: The Narnia Podcast with reactions to this major development.

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