Greta Gerwig Reveals Netflix Narnia Film Details at Lincoln Square

Greta Gerwig presented a preview of Netflix's Narnia: The Magician's Nephew at Lincoln Square IMAX in Manhattan, where she discussed the upcoming fantasy film, its production, and her connection to C.S. Lewis's books. The movie is scheduled for theaters on Feb. 12.

According to the presentation, the film adapts C.S. Lewis's 1955 chronicle of Narnia, which is the sixth book by publication order but the first in the fictional timeline. Netflix acquired rights to the franchise in 2018, and Gerwig began developing the project after meeting Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos in 2019.

Gerwig said her involvement began after she encouraged Sarandos to start the adaptation with The Magician's Nephew, which explores the creation of the Narnia universe.

"I made a beeline for Ted Sarandos, and told him, 'These are my favorite books.' I told him he should start with The Magician's Nephew, because that's the creation of Narnia and the whole series is about the birth, life, and death of this universe. And he said, 'Do you want to write it?'" Gerwig recalled.

Gerwig wrote the first draft between 2020 and 2021 and continued refining the screenplay while preparing Barbie. After Barbie earned nearly $1.5 billion worldwide and received eight Oscar nominations, Netflix accelerated plans for the Narnia project.

Production began in England in August 2025 with David McKenna and Beatrice Campbell leading the cast as Digory Kirke and Polly Plummer. The adult cast includes Daniel Craig, Carey Mulligan, Emma Mackey, and Meryl Streep, who voices Aslan.

The director also described her personal connection to the book series and the influence it had on her creative work.

"I don't remember a time when I didn't know the Narnia books. They were as real to me as anything in my life. You believe that maybe on the other side [of that closet door] there's a snowy world that needed you." Gerwig told Stephen Colbert and the audience.

Gerwig said the film was shot entirely on celluloid instead of digital cameras and that the production team focused on creating a handmade feeling through physical sets and props. The adaptation changes the novel's setting from the turn of the 20th century to the post-World War II period, including a London marked by the aftermath of the Blitz.

During the event, Colbert joked about his appearance at the screening while discussing his own work on a planned Lord of the Rings film titled Shadow of the Past.

"doesn't have a job right now" Colbert joked about his reason for attending the event.

Gerwig also discussed the trailer's use of Led Zeppelin's song Stairway to Heaven, saying she met Jimmy Page and Robert Plant to request permission for the track.

"It's an epic song that's about a spiritual journey," Gerwig explained. "That's also the story of this movie. I showed them [the film] and talked to them about it, and they both love C.S.

Lewis. The whole thing was very fortuitous."

The filmmaker said her preparation involved studying Lewis's writing and influences while building her interpretation of the fantasy world.

"Books from childhood create you, and these books created me. So I start by acknowledging that I would not be who I am without these books. I tried to read everything that C.S. Lewis wrote, and then I tried to read the tings that inspired him," Gerwig said.

Netflix's Narnia adaptation will begin with The Magician's Nephew, following the story of Narnia's creation before the events of the better-known Pevensie children's adventures.