A new update on the Greta Gerwig Chronicles of Narnia adaptations has resolved a major concern I’ve had since they were first announced. C.S. Lewis’s Narnia books are fantastic classics and some of the best children’s fantasy ever written, but the issues with the previous 2000s adaptations suggest a certain challenge in bringing them to life on screen. Not to mention, Netflix has developed a bit of a reputation for prematurely canceling promising fantasy projects, and Greta Gerwig is only signed on for the first two films.
Greta Gerwig’s Chronicles of Narnia movie has been confirmed to have an Imax theatrical release for Thanksgiving 2026 before being released on Netflix. This will allow the film to contend for awards and also create a theatrical event for what should be a mᴀssive blockbuster. All of that is exciting and guaranteed, particularly after the enormous success of Barbie, but the fantasy franchise’s future is still a concern. Greta Gerwig seems to be starting with The Magician’s Nephew, which wasn’t adapted by Disney, but there are still more stories to be told.
It Really Looks Like Netflix & Greta Gerwig Will Adapt All Of The Chronicles Of Narnia Books
Netflix Seems To Have An Eight-Movie Plan
A recent ᴅᴇᴀᴅline article revealed some insights on Netflix and Greta Gerwig’s plans for the Chronicles of Narnia movies surrounding the Imax release. Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos spoke about the theatrical release tactic and the spectacle of creating a “two-week special event” for Narnia before the тιтle hits streaming. Imax’s CEO Rich Gelfond also spoke about their end of the deal and his excitement to bring the fantasy films to life on the most immersive screens possible, saying the following:
“This was a really great movie [for us] because I think there are like eight movies planned … and what Imax does best is launch franchises and launch events, [and] this is the kind of movie that is very conducive to an Imax release.”
Anything can happen following the first couple of Narnia films released, and nothing is ever guaranteed in Hollywood. However, it’s promising to note that Netflix is planning the series as a multi-film saga from the start. This means they’ll be more invested from the get-go and less likely to cancel on a whim, as they’re likely structuring the project to be long-term. The mention of eight movies suggests they could be splitting The Last Battle into two parts, or it could just be a mistake on Gelfond’s part.
Why Adapting C.S. Lewis’ Entire Narnia Story Is So Important
C.S. Lewis Made A Fantasy Epic Worth Depicting In Full
The 2000s Disney Narnia films aren’t bad, but part of the reason they haven’t aged as well as The Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter is that it’s an incomplete series. Narnia fans deserve the definitive version of their fantasy saga, and to do so, C.S. Lewis’s story must be told in full. The Chronicles of Narnia books may have been written with children in mind, but they’re still an epic tale with the grandest stakes imaginable, and only by completing The Last Battle can that be fulfilled.
Sources: ᴅᴇᴀᴅline
