Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew

Overview

Netflix is set to bring The Magician’s Nephew to the screen in what is expected to be the first installment of its Narnia cinematic universe. This marks the first time this story—considered a prequel to The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe—will receive a major film adaptation. The project is being helmed by Greta Gerwig, the Academy Award-nominated director behind Barbie and Little Women.

Filming began in August 2025 at Shepperton Studios in the UK, with an exclusive IMAX-previews on February 10, 2027, IMAX and Global Release Theatrically on February 12, 2027. The film will be available for streaming on Netflix starting April 2, 2027.

Story & Significance (Spoilers)

First published in 1955, The Magician’s Nephew explores the origins of Narnia, Aslan, the White Witch, and the mystical wardrobe that later plays a central role in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. The story follows young Digory Kirke and Polly Plummer, who stumble upon a mysterious set of magic rings created by Digory’s uncle. These rings transport them to the Wood Between the Worlds, a realm of infinite possibilities where they inadvertently awaken Jadis, the future White Witch, from the dying world of Charn.

The book culminates in the creation of Narnia itself, as the children witness Aslan singing the world into existence. Along the way, Digory’s personal journey becomes deeply intertwined with the fate of Narnia, as he is tasked with bringing a magical apple from a distant garden—an act that foreshadows the greater battles between good and evil in the series.

Production & Release Details

Director: Greta Gerwig
Screenplay by: Greta Gerwig
Based on the novel by: C. S. Lewis
Cast: David McKenna, Beatrice Campbell, Emma Mackey, Carey Mulligan, Ciarán Hinds, with Daniel Craig and Meryl Streep, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Denise Gough, Susan Wokoma
Produced by: Mark Gordon, Amy Pascal, Vincent Sieber-Smith, Greta Gerwig
Co-producer: Christine Crais
Executive Producers: Patricia Whitcher and Douglas Gresham and Melvin Adams for the C. S. Lewis Estate
Original Score by: Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt
Music Supervisor: George Drakoulias
Director of Photography: Seamus McGarvey, ASC, BSC
Production Designer: James Chinlund
Set Decorator: Lee Sandales
Costume Designer: Jacqueline Durran
Hair and Makeup Designer: Ivana Primorac
Visual Effects Supervisor: Paul Franklin
Visual Effects Producer: Barry St. John
Edited by: Nick Houy, ACE, and Andrew Weisblum, ACE
Casting by: Nina Gold
Choreographer: Polly Bennett
Creature Effects Creative Supervisor: Neal Scanlan
Animation Supervisor: Michael Eames

• Filming Start Date: August 2025
• Filming Location: Shepperton Studios, UK
• Working Titles: Ordinary Time, Narnia
• Theatrical Release: IMAX-previews on February 10, 2027, IMAX and Global Release Theatrically on February 12, 2027
• Streaming Release: April 2, 2027 on Netflix

Creative Team & Visual Approach

Netflix has assembled a team with a strong history of world-building and fantasy storytelling to bring The Magician’s Nephew to life.

Confirmed Cast Members

• David McKenna – Digory Kirke
• Beatrice Campbell – Polly Plummer
• Emma Mackey – Jadis, The White Witch
• Carey Mulligan – Mabel Kirke
• Ciarán Hinds
• Daniel Craig – Uncle Andrew
• Meryl Streep
• Kobna Holdbrook-Smith
• Denise Gough
• Susan Wokoma

Unconfirmed at this time.

Tom Bonington – Mr. Potts (new cast member)

Key Crew Members

• Production Designer: James Chinlund (The Batman, The Lion King) – Responsible for designing Charn, the Wood Between the Worlds, and the newly created Narnia.
• Concept Artist: Dermot Power (Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts) – Focused on the film’s otherworldly landscapes and character designs.
• VFX Supervisor: Kris Wright (CEO of Nvizible, Muppets Most Wanted) – Overseeing Narnia’s creation sequence and digital environments.

Speculation & Key Questions

Netflix has remained tight-lipped about casting decisions, but the search for child actors aged 10-11 strongly suggests Digory and Polly are the leads. With a director like Gerwig, known for deep character work, fans are curious how the emotional themes of loss, temptation, and redemption will be handled in a visually spectacular setting.

Another major question is tone and faithfulness. Producer Amy Pascal has made cryptic comments about the adaptation being “all about rock and roll,” raising speculation about possible stylistic changes. However, with Gerwig’s track record of respecting source material while bringing fresh energy, there’s cautious optimism that this Magician’s Nephew will stay true to the spirit of C.S. Lewis’s vision.

Narnia’s Future on Netflix

Netflix’s decision to start with The Magician’s Nephew instead of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe signals an ambitious long-term plan. The streaming giant now holds exclusive rights to all seven Narnia books, allowing for a more chronological and interconnected storytelling approach. If this adaptation is successful, we may see a full slate of films and TV series exploring different parts of the Narnian timeline.

Final Thoughts

With The Magician’s Nephew now in active development, Netflix is setting the stage for an epic, visually stunning return to Narnia. This marks the first major film adaptation of the book, offering a fresh perspective on the origins of the world of Aslan. As the cast is announced and production moves forward, excitement continues to grow for what could be the most faithful and ambitious Narnia adaptation yet, maybe. We have a page where we are tracking confirmed and unconfirmed changes they have made to The Magician’s Nephew.

Stay tuned for updates as we learn more about Netflix’s vision for Narnia’s future!