Ben Barnes, known for playing the noble Prince Caspian in The Chronicles of Narnia film series, has shared heartfelt advice for the cast of Greta Gerwig’s upcoming Narnia remake. The Barbie director is set to adapt C.S. Lewis’ beloved children’s novels, which made their first big-screen debut in 2005 with Andrew Adamson’s The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Sent to the countryside to escape World War II, siblings Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy Pevensie discover a wardrobe that serves as a gateway to a magical realm. The Gerwig-led Narnia is set for release on November 26, 2026.

In an interview with Collider, Barnes offered Gerwig and the cast some warm words, referring to his personal experience with the high fantasy series. The 2008 adaptation of Prince Caspian marked Barnes’ first major role in a feature length film as the Pevensie siblings return to Narnia to aid the prince in his struggle for the throne against his corrupt uncle. Check out Barnes’ comments below:

Advice that I got at the time, which was to just enjoy the adventure. I don’t expect a cast coming into it now as kids to have grown up necessarily with the Narnia books. They may have. But for me, it was very special for that reason. I was stepping into something that I knew from being eight years old, and I really valued and appreciated.

One of my skills, as an actor, I think, is to really enjoy the experience of making it, for being in New Zealand or being in Prague and being on these incredible sets and being around incredible people. My best friend in the world, I made on that film.

They should just enjoy the experience of actually making it. The rest of it will be what it is. It’ll fall into place, or it won’t. It’ll capture people’s hearts and imaginations, or it won’t. So long as you’re present in the moment and giving it your all, then that’s all you can really offer anyway. So, I wouldn’t deign to offer any advice on how to portray the characters or anything.

What Ben Barnes’ Advice For Greta Gerwig’s Narnia Means

Lessons From A Beloved Prince

For a project as ambitious as Netflix’s The Chronicles of Narnia, Barnes’ advice emphasizes the importance of cherishing the creative process. His call to “enjoy the adventure” aligns perfectly with the themes of discovery and childlike wonder that define C.S. Lewis’ books. This perspective is especially meaningful for a cast likely to include younger actors stepping into iconic roles like the Pevensie siblings—many of whom may be encountering Narnia’s fantastical world of mythical beasts, talking animals, and sinister witches for the first time. The actor himself continued to explore outlandish worlds with the Netflix fantasy series Shadow and Bone.

This advice is particularly significant given the high stakes of adapting The Chronicles of Narnia for a new era. Previous Chronicles of Narnia adaptations have notably failed as Lewis’ sprawling universe moved further away from the Pevensie siblings. Nonetheless, Netflix aims to rejuvenate the franchise with a bold, theatrical-first release strategy with IMAX and Gerwig’s distinct creative vision. As details concerning the reboot remain relatively unknown, the director could also take a new route and adapt The Magician’s Nephew, Lewis’ Narnia prequel.

Our Take On Ben Barnes’ Heartwarming Words

Netflix’s Cast Should Embrace The Magic Of C.S. Lewis

Barnes’ reflections perfectly embody what we hope to see from Netflix’s The Chronicles of Narnia reboot: a celebration of wonder, discovery, and heartfelt storytelling. While he may be too old to return to Narnia, Barnes’ perspective is key to bringing Lewis’ magical world to life. With Gerwig at the helm, The Chronicles of Narnia remake has the potential to reimagine the beloved children’s story in a way that feels fresh yet faithful—if they so choose to embrace it.

Source: Collider