Netflix’s remake of The Chronicles of Narnia reveals first official insight
Finally, we have our first look at Greta Gerwig’s “Chronicles of Narnia” film for Netflix: “Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew.” The promotional image is quite fitting: it shows Aslan, the talking lion (and a barely disguised allegory of Jesus), the character who has become the face of the series. The image first appeared in the British magazine Empire and offers an inspired interpretation of the creature with different-colored eyes and patterns reminiscent of a mixture of embroidery, trencadís mosaics, and melted scales.
We have also received confirmation that Meryl Streep will play Aslan. “I wanted someone profound but not pretentious, someone who exudes dignity but doesn’t come across as melancholy or self-absorbed. Someone who can convey depth and pathos as well as joy and excitement,” Gerwig explained to Empire. “I wanted someone over 70 who brings the wisdom of experience but also possesses the capacity for childlike, unbiased wonder. And who is also one of the greatest actors of all time. The list of those who should play this role is not long.”
Gerwig previously worked with Streep on her acclaimed 2019 film adaptation of “Little Women.” Regarding Aslan’s design, Empire explained that his eyes and distinctive red stripes are an homage to David Bowie, one of Gerwig’s key creative inspirations. Empire also released another promotional image depicting Aslan creating Narnia. The magazine promised more news about The Chronicles of Narnia in its November 2026 issue, which will be released on September 24.
Shortly after the cover was released, Empire magazine revealed further details about the film in an interview with Gerwig. Regarding her creative vision, she said, “I wanted a rock opera. I wanted something big and exhilarating.” She mentioned that British rock music of the 60s and 70s was a major source of inspiration for her, explaining, “Narnia is literally a world of music. It’s a world brought to life by Aslan, and rock ’n’ roll felt to me like a world of music.” To be clear, the film will not be a musical in the strictest sense, but it will be inspired by that aesthetic.
Netflix Chronicles of Narnia: What we know so far
The next film in the Chronicles of Narnia series is based on the sixth book, the 1955 novel “The Magician’s Nephew.” While it may seem unusual to adapt this book instead of starting from the beginning or continuing with the fourth and fifth volumes, “The Magician’s Nephew” is chronologically the earliest story.
Gerwig directs, writes the screenplay, and is a co-producer. She has had an impressive string of successes in recent years, directing “Lady Bird,” “Little Women,” and “Barbie” in succession. Alongside Meryl Streep, the cast includes David McKenna (“Lord of the Flies”), Beatrice Campbell (“The Phoenician Scheme”), Emma Mackey (“Sex Education,” “Emily”), Carey Mulligan, Ciarán Hinds (“Game of Thrones,” “Silence”), and Daniel Craig.
Netflix is producing the Chronicles of Narnia film, and it will be the streaming service’s first film to receive a wide theatrical release. The theatrical release is scheduled for February 12, 2027, with the Netflix release following on April 2, 2027. It has been over 15 years since the last Chronicles of Narnia film: Walden Media published a trilogy between 2005 and 2010 that adapted the first three books in the series.
