When it comes to Greta Gerwig’s upcoming Chronicles of Narnia remake, casting could make or break the new films, therefore the Barbie director should make this important casting choice. The Chronicles of Narnia is one of the most beloved children’s fantasy series of all time. Originally published as novels by C.S. Lewis in the 1950s, the series has been developed into various movies and TV shows over the years. Notably, Narnia is returning for the first time in over a decade via a series of Netflix film adaptations, the first of which is being directed by Gerwig.

Undoubtedly, there are high expectations for the new Narnia films. Not only do audiences have deep connections to this series originating from childhood, but many are also partial to the early 2000s movie adaptations. In this way, Gerwig will have to pave her own way through the franchise, while also harking back to the elements of the story that viewers love most. Of course, casting is central to Narnia’s success. Without strong actors to portray Lewis’s beloved characters, this remake could easily become a flop. Thus, Gerwig has some big choices to make.

Greta Gerwig’s Narnia Remake Should Cast Unknowns To Play The Pevensies

Casting Unknowns Is A Mutually Beneficial Practice

One casting choice that could be great for Narnia is if unknown actors are cast as the Pevensies. What this means is that popular young actors i.e. Jenna Ortega or Finn Wolfhard, would not be cast in the leading roles. Instead, actors who have never really had big on-screen roles would get the parts of Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy. Though it may seem strange, this is a common practice especially for major franchises and projects that have several young characters playing big parts. Generally, casting unknowns allows a movie or show to establish itself as a blank slate.

There are many ways in which casting unknowns would be beneficial to both Narnia and the actual actors. By casting unknowns, Gerwig’s Narnia would be able to stand on its own much more easily. Audiences would not be distracted by having big stars in the cast, and instead, would be able to fully see the actors as their characters. Furthermore, the unknowns themselves would benefit from being cast in Narnia because they would have consistent work and a clear route to stardom. With everyone clearly dedicated to Narnia, there would be no risk of losing actors to other projects.

Netflix’s Narnia Movies Can Balance Unknown Child Stars With Recognizable Adult Actors

Narnia Needs Star Power Despite Its Popularity

Another casting decision that could be perfect for Narnia is casting unknowns alongside big adult stars. Many will recognize this trend from other big fantasy franchises like Harry Potter. Basically, this casting trend would allow Narnia to introduce unknown talent, while also profiting off the reputations of lovable celebrities. As much as audiences need to connect to the characters without being distracted by the actors’ past roles, there is also something to be said for casting important names to increase hype and create a completely new (and exciting) portrayal of a character.

In reality, Narnia needs that kind of star power. Although the series is undoubtedly popular, Netflix still needs to market the project well if it wants viewership. Viewers need to know when these films are happening, who is involved in them, and how they will differ or be similar to what audiences already know and love. In fact, Gerwig’s role in Narnia is already an example of the franchise benefiting from big names. By having such a well-loved director behind the camera, even more people will be interested in watching Narnia, even if they don’t care about the story itself.

Why This Casting Trick Worked For The Original Narnia Movies (& Could Work For The Remake Too)

How Narnia Can Learn From Past Iterations

Ultimately, these casting choices have already been proven to work. The previous Chronicles of Narnia movies are the perfect examples. William Moseley, Anna Popplewell, Skander Keynes, and Georgie Henley were not well-known actors when they were cast in Narnia which made them ideal candidates to play the big roles. It was easy to see Henley as Lucy, because no one knew her as anything else. However, these young talents worked even better because they were joined by big names like Tilda Swinton, James McAvoy, and Liam Neeson. Audiences truly got the best of both worlds in terms of casting.

In this way, Gerwig’s Narnia can follow in its predecessor’s footsteps. Gerwig should definitely consider casting little-known actors as the Pevensies, while putting major stars in the roles of Aslan, Mr. Tumnus, the White Witch, and more. To capitalize on popular talent would be a wise move for Gerwig, and it isn’t completely new to her either. The casts of Little Women and Barbie were both undoubtedly star-studded. Either way, The Chronicles of Narnia has big shoes to fill, but it is certainly possible to succeed.