I guess you could say I’m a pretty big fan of Funko. I have a lot of those little guys. So many, in fact, that I’ve personally started gravitating toward the Bitty Pops lately. They take up less shelf space… which is becoming a real concern around here.
What I love about Funko is that they’ve created a collectible for just about everything you can think of. And if they haven’t yet, they probably will. I’m still a little salty that they only gave us Cory and Topanga from Boy Meets World. Come on, Funko. Shawn. Eric. Mr. Feeny. At the very least.
But I digress. This is supposed to be about Narnia.
I just wanted to illustrate a point.
In a new episode of Strictly Business, Josh Simon, the newly appointed CEO of Funko, said something fascinating: A Funko Pop has kind of become a “seal of approval” that a character has made it in pop culture. He even joked that directors and actors sometimes call asking if they’re getting a Pop. (lol)
And then he name-checked something that interested us:
“I’m very excited for the next Narnia movie that Greta Gerwig is directing that comes out at the end of the year.”
The upcoming film Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew is already on Funko’s radar.
Now, that could mean a lot of things. It doesn’t guarantee anything. But it’s interesting.
It’s also a little bittersweet. Funko wasn’t really the powerhouse it is today when the previous Narnia films were released. The merchandising landscape looks very different now. That said, Funko does occasionally dive deep into catalog titles. So who knows? Maybe we’ll see some love for earlier Narnia adaptations too.
Simon also described Funko’s philosophy this way: “How do we turn every product into a canvas for storytelling?”
That’s an intriguing idea when you think about Narnia. The classic character Pops aren’t going anywhere, but Funko has layered in scene-based dioramas and larger deluxe pieces in recent years. And since Funko also owns Loungefly, there’s potential for wearable storytelling too. Imagine subtle nods to Pauline Baynes’ artwork, hidden details from the books, or designs that reward longtime readers. Pure speculation on my part, of course, but it’s fun to think about.
Simon specifically praised detail-rich fandoms that obsess over authenticity.
Meanwhile, the New York Toy Fair has been happening this week. Anything spoiler-heavy has reportedly been kept behind closed doors, but we’ve been hearing whispers and are hopeful that this Narnia film will have strong merchandising support. In today’s crowded entertainment landscape, physical products still matter. They help a title stand out in an ocean of streaming content.
And if what we’ve seen locally at Target is any indication, there’s potential for something bigger. Netflix had a massive in-store presence last fall for Stranger Things, including large displays featuring Funko Pops tied to the final season. Netflix and Target clearly have a working relationship.
We could all be looking at a variety of products in a Narnia display at Target this fall. No guarantees
We’ll be keeping a close eye on any and all new collectibles from the land of Narnia.
Stay tuned to NarniaFans for updates.