Of course, a great many of us have now seen what Gerwig did with Barbie – a children’s doll more polarising than pineapple on pizza. And after the film’s resounding critical and commercial success, it’s no surprise that we’re waiting with bated breath to see what the director will transform C.S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia in a series of films for Netflix.
While the classic Narnia books and the original 2000s adaptations leant into the more typical fantasy genre, it seems – the closer we get to Gerwig’s release date – that she has taken a different turn. Unsurprising, when you see the director flipped the script with Barbie and Little Women.
For her latest IP adaptation, Gerwig seems to be channelling the rock musicals of the 70s (think Tommy or Hedwig and the Angry Inch). We already had some evidence to suggest such a direction from the soundtrack credits, but now a Zeppelin-backed trailer has been dropped, the case is all but closed.
For all the evidence – and everything we know so far about Greta Gerwig’s Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew adaptation – read on.
A Led-Zeppelin backed trailer
Released Wednesday 14 October, the trailer is backed by a soundtrack of Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven (those in the know will know that Zeppelin’s songs are notoriously difficult to procure film rights to, so hopefully this means we’re in for a real treat…)
Mark Ronson is giving us a rock score
At its first test screenings, the unfinished two-hour directors cut reportedly had a contemporary, rock-influenced soundtrack. We’ve already confirmed that DJ and producer Mark Ronson would be serving at the helm of the film’s score – but what we didn’t expect was for him to spin anachronistic, 1960s/70s rock tunes to accompany its 1950s setting.
Reports circulating on Narnia fan threads online say the soundtrack spans influences like Pink Floyd and The Doors. Even the film’s producer, Amy Pascal, made a similar remark in 2024, when she infamously described the project as “all about rock and roll.”
“This is not your mother’s or your Grandmother‘s Narnia,” Pascal went on to say. “The music in it is unbelievably contemporary music, which IMAX fans like.”
Meryl Streep’s Aslan is based on David Bowie
And what’s more rock and roll than that, really?
“I wanted someone who was profound but not pretentious, who had gravitas but not morose self-seriousness,” Gerwig shared in an interview with Empire. “Someone who could communicate depth and pathos as well as joy and delight.”
The inspiration for Aslan’s appearance in Gerwig’s adaptation is David Bowie (another rock musical legend), with his mismatched eyes and red facial stripe paying homage to the late musician. Gerwig has said that Bowie’s music gives her a deep sense of reassurance – a feeling of, “You’re gonna be OK.” That influence extends beyond Aslan’s appearance, informing the film’s rock-opera soundtrack and the world Gerwig has built around it.
When will it be released?
Gerwig’s first film in the series, Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew will hit cinemas (including IMAX) next year on Friday 12 February 2027. There will be special IMAX sneak previews starting from Wednesday 10 February too.
In terms of streaming, the film will premiere exclusively on Netflix on Friday 2 April 2027.
It takes place after The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
Reportedly, the film is set to follows the plot of The Magician’s Nephew, which is the sixth novel in C.S. Lewis’ series.
Producer Amy Pascal revealed to Deadline that production for the film is set to begin next July, adding: “[It will be] a very new take on Narnia. It’s all about rock and roll.”
The CEO of Netflix has shared a similar sentiment, saying the project “will be bigger and bolder than [fans] thought.”
As for the specifics, so far, we know that Gerwig is expected to helm at least two of the upcoming Narnia films for the streamer, which will mark her first foray into the world of fantasy. However, based on an interview she gave on the Total Film podcast, the project is still very much in its infancy. “I haven’t even really started wrapping my arms around it, but I’m properly scared of it, which feels like a good place to start,” she said.
Still, Gerwig’s affiliation with this project marks a new direction for where she plans to proceed with her career. “I hope to make all different kinds of movies in the course of the time I get to make movies, which – it’s a long time, but it’s also limited,” she said per Total Film. “I want to do big things and small things and everywhere in between, and having another big canvas is exciting and also daunting.”
Charli XCX was *almost* the White Witch
Back in March of last year, Deadline broke the news that Charli XCX was among the top choices for a key role in the film, heavily rumoured to be the main villain, the White Witch (Jadis). However, reporting later revealed that she did not land the part, and Gerwig ultimately moved on to test and cast Emma Mackey for the role.
Who is confirmed in the cast?
Confirmed main cast members include:
- David McKenna as Digory Kirke
- Beatrice Campbell as Polly Plummer
- Emma Mackey as Jadis (The White Witch)
- Daniel Craig as Uncle Andrew Ketterley
- Carey Mulligan as Mabel Kirke
- Meryl Streep as the voice of Aslan
- Denise Gough as Aunt Letty Ketterley
- Kobna Holdbrook-Smith as King Frank
- Susan Wokoma as Queen Helen
- Ciarán Hinds in an undisclosed role.
Stay inspired, follow us.
