Summary

  • Netflix plans to reboot the Chronicles of Narnia series with Greta Gerwig directing the first two films, following the success of her blockbuster film Barbie.
  • Despite being an unconventional choice, Gerwig's feminist and women-centric storytelling style makes her perfect for bringing out the strong female characters in Narnia.
  • The Chronicles of Narnia films will start production in 2024, and this new adaptation has the potential to bring a fresh perspective to the beloved fantasy novels.

Greta Gerwig’s Chronicles of Narnia movie gets an encouraging update from Netflix. Based on the popular C.S. Lewis tales, Netflix will soon reboot the Chronicles of Narnia series, which has last seen the big screen treatment with 2010’s The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. The Barbie director will be helming Netflix’s first two Chronicles of Narnia movies.

Netflix reveals a surprise filming update for Gerwig's Chronicles of Narnia films. Speaking with Collider, Head of Netflix Film Scott Stuber revealed that the Chronicles of Narnia will begin production in 2024. Stuber elaborated below:

Well, I think people know that we’re aspirationally trying to get Greta Gerwig’s [The Chronicles of] Narnia together and get that movie, which will be next year.

Why Greta Gerwig Is The Right Choice for Chronicles of Narnia (Even If Surprising)

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The $1.4 billion success of Gerwig’s Barbie is likely a main driver of Netflix’s pushing forward of the Chronicles of Narnia film. Just this year, Gerwig went from independent film darling to blockbuster maker when Barbie took off. With Barbie, Gerwig showed that she could bring a freshness to a well-established franchise, while still containing mass appeal.

A collage of the Lion and the Pevensie siblings from The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrboe, with a Netflix N overtop
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Exactly When Netflix's Chronicles Of Narnia Reboot Should Release

Netflix is rebooting the Chronicles of Narnia, and as it turns out, there is a perfect time for the streaming service to release their first film.

Giving The Chronicles of Narnia to Gerwig was a somewhat surprising choice for Netflix. Though Barbie was a massive success, the film was Gerwig’s first foray into more mainstream blockbuster territory. Furthermore, adapting a fantasy series will be a first for Geriwg. The Chronicles of Narnia is a beloved children’s fantasy novel series that holds many Christian allegories throughout.

The sensibilities of Gerwig’s work, however, make her a fantastic choice for a remake of Chronicles of Narnia. So far, all three of Gerwig’s directed films–Lady Bird, Little Women, and Barbie–have offered feminist, women-centric narratives that feature strong central protagonists. Gerwig can bring out some of the key female characters from Narnia, such as Lucy and even the White Witch, with a grace that the series has not seen before. Gerwig may not be the most traditional choice for The Chronicles of Narnia reboot, but it is this very lack of traditionalism that could make the new Chronicles of Narnia series great.

Three of the seven Narnia books were adapted between 2005-2010: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, Prince Caspian, and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

Source: Collider