Gerwig brings Narnia back to big screen

'The Magician's Nephew' marks first screen adaptation of CS Lewis' origin story

A new chapter in the beloved world of Narnia is coming to cinemas on February 12, 2027, with Oscar-nominated filmmaker Greta Gerwig bringing CS Lewis's 'The Magician's Nephew' to the big screen for the first time.

Written for the screen and directed by Gerwig, 'Narnia: The Magician's Nephew' will open in IMAX and cinemas worldwide, with exclusive IMAX previews beginning on February 10. The film will also arrive on Netflix on April 2.

The film explores the origin of Narnia and the events that precede 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe'. The cast combines newcomers David McKenna and Beatrice Campbell with established performers including Emma Mackey, Carey Mulligan, Ciarán Hinds, Daniel Craig, Meryl Streep, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Denise Gough and Susan Wokoma.

For Gerwig, the project carries a personal connection. She has spoken of reading 'The Magician's Nephew' as a child. "I was a child when I first read 'The Magician's Nephew', and I fell in love with the gorgeously improbable but completely brilliant concept of a cosmic lion singing the world of Narnia to life," she said.

Gerwig revealed why she cast Streep as Aslan. "I wanted someone who was profound but not pretentious, who had gravitas but not morose self-seriousness. Someone who could communicate depth and pathos as well as joy and delight," Gerwig told Empire in an interview.

First published in 1955, 'The Magician's Nephew' explores how the links between our world and Narnia began. The seven Chronicles of Narnia books have sold more than 120 million copies across 70 countries and have been translated into more than 60 languages.

Gerwig described the opportunity to bring Lewis's world to the screen as "the honour of a lifetime", recalling how the books made her believe in magic, hidden worlds and adventure. With Gerwig now at the helm, the latest Narnia adventure is set to introduce Lewis's fantastical world to another generation of audiences.