My Facebook bio reads "I have a Narnia quote for every occasion," and the sentiment rings true. The hope and wonder found inside The Chronicles of Narnia played a huge role in shaping who I am as a writer and as a human. I'm a part of a Facebook group and keep up with some online forums, which means that I can spot clickbait or a fake poster from a mile away.
After Netflix acquired the rights to The Chronicles of Narnia in 2018, I was on the edge of my seat to see who would be involved. So, as you can imagine, when it was finally confirmed that Greta Gerwig (who directed 2019's Little Women, the other story that has heavily influenced my life) would write and direct the next two movies in the Narnia universe, I told *everyone.*
Although the books are no stranger to controversy, I'm confident Greta Gerwig will handle them with grace and tact. Because she has a knack for bringing stories into the 21st century while still feeling true to their original heart.
Are these new Chronicles of Narnia movies a continuation or a reboot?
We don't have any info yet on whether this adaptation will pick up where The Voyage of the Dawn Treader left off, whether it will be a remake of The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, or if it will be a totally new story within the Narnia universe (similar to Prime Video's The Rings of Power).
I'm personally anticipating that it will be the first option because I would love to see Greta bring something like The Magician's Nephew (which has never been adapted) to life onscreen.
While we also don't have word on Greta Gerwig's The Chronicles of Narnia cast yet, after a reunion with actress Brie Larson at the 2024 Golden Globes (the two women starred in 2010's Greenberg together), X users are hoping the Oscar winner will make an appearance! "She need to get in Narnia somehow," one user said when they retweeted a video of the reunion. The reunion in question features Brie hopping like a bunny over to Greta, who squeals as they hug each other. I don't know about you, but that's exactly how I greet my friends IRL.
"When [Brie Larson] gets the Best Supporting Actress nomination for playing the White Witch, wait," one user added.
How long has Greta Gerwig wanted to make a "Chronicles of Narnia" movie?
Like the intentional planner she is, Greta Gerwig actually thought about directing a Narnia movie way before her involvement was ever confirmed.
"I’m writing and I’m sort of starting to dream and think about what I’m approaching," she says on The Empire Film Podcast. "I would say the land of Narnia is equally exciting and terrifying. I have nothing really to report on it other than it’s something I was actually talking about before I made Barbie. So, that’s been sort of in my unconscious working its way through. But that has been a pattern. I wrote a draft of Little Women before I made Lady Bird."
Narnia, Little Women, Barbie — Greta Gerwig has a knack for turning our beloved childhood stories into something complex and emotional that resonates with us even more as adults!
Which story is Greta Gerwig adapting?
The specific Narnia movies the writer and director is making haven't been confirmed, but this week, Letterboxd added two new films under Greta Gerwig's official page: The Magician's Nephew and The Horse and His Boy. Neither title has ever been made into an onscreen adaptation.
Letterboxd has since changed the titles of the movies back to Untitled Chronicles of Narnia Film #1 and Untitled Chronicles of Narnia Film #2 but it's got me thinking.
Both stories are from the original Chronicles of Narnia series (MN is book #1 and HHB is book #3), rather than an expansion of the Narnia universe. Any film version of the books could serve as a reboot of the Disney movie series that kicked off in 2005.
Considering The Horse and His Boy takes place within The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, choosing to adapt that book could indicate Netflix wants to revamp the series entirely.
What is The Chronicles of Narnia about?
The Chronicles of Narnia revolves around the fictional land of Narnia, and the children in our world who find it. Time passes differently in Narnia than it does on earth, which means that even though around 50 years pass for the characters, they find themselves in a different decade or century every time they reenter the magical land.
Each book has themes like good vs. evil, family, and identity as the characters face different challenges and adventures. The coolest thing about these books is how open-ended C.S. Lewis wrote them — because your own personal experiences, life lessons, and worldview impact your imagination, you have a different experience every time you read them.
Are these new The Chronicles Of Narnia movies for Netflix?
Yes! Netflix acquired the rights to The Chronicles of Narnia (which were previously held by Walden Media) in 2018, but there wasn't much news for the next few years. The New Yorker confirmed that Greta is attached to write and direct these Narnia Netflix films in the near future.
Why did Disney stop making Narnia movies?
The final Chronicles of Narnia adaptation for Disney was 2010's The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Even though the film set up a sequel, issues with the rights ended the film series early.
The Chronicles Of Narnia Adaptations To Watch
Animated Film:
- The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe — on YouTube
BBC Miniseries:
- The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe — on YouTube
- Prince Caspian — on YouTube
- The Voyage of the Dawn Treader — on YouTube
- The Silver Chair — on YouTube
Disney Feature Films:
- The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe — on Disney+
- Prince Caspian — on Disney+
- The Voyage of the Dawn Treader — on Disney+
Are you excited for Greta Gerwig's Chronicles of Narnia movies? Let us know in the comments and follow us on Facebook for more movie news!
Lead image via Chang Ho/Warner Bros. Entertainment
This post has been updated.
0 Commentaires