Is This The Narnia Book Greta Gerwig Is Adapting?

Door Jam: February 3, 2025

The Door Jam is a place to squeeze in relevant articles written about C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, their work, adaptations of their fantasy worlds, news from other franchises, and interesting articles. Unless otherwise stated, I’m not necessarily endorsing (or criticizing) any of these but merely sharing them with you.

This week’s top story is a strong indication of which Narnia book Greta Gerwig will be adapting first.

Our latest C.S. Lewis read-along for paid subscribers starts this week. We will be exploring new areas of Narnia, including the underworld, in The Silver Chair. So even more of you can participate, I’m offering a 20% discount on an annual subscription. That will take you through The Silver Chair and our fall read-along of The Horse and His Boy. Plus, you get all the bonus news and articles each week. Join today.

Pauline Baynes illustration of Digory and Polly in The Magician’s Nephew

Initially, the top story this week was an official designation of Lewis’ Oxford home. The plan was to take a break from highlighting Narnia movie news, but then reports came about a casting call for Gerwig’s Narnia movie.

According to Narnia Web:

Within the past week, UK children’s casting agencies and drama schools have received the notice, and some call-backs for roles are already taking place. The production is looking for two children, a boy and a girl, to portray characters that are 10 or 11 years old. At this stage, the description does not specify any particular physical characteristics for the roles, such as height or hair color. Filming and rehearsals are scheduled to take place in the UK from June through Christmas 2025.

The casting call asked parents to apply for “important roles in the new Narnia film” with their children’s “name, age, location, height, along with a short piece to camera (on a phone is fine, approx. 30 seconds) about their happiest memory.”

The number and age of the children all but confirm the rumors that the first movie will be The Magician’s Nephew. During the events of that book, Digory is 12 and Polly is 11.

Yes, other Narnia books feature children around those ages, but the only other ones that feature a boy and girl lead are The Horse and His Boy and The Silver Chair. The duo in the former are younger teens, while the pair in the latter includes Eustace, a returning character from The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. If the plan is The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, I would assume the casting call would be for all four Pevensies, four children from 8-13.

In addition, if Gerwig is still signed to do two films as was initially reported, The Magician’s Nephew and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe would be two of the best to start and give the franchise a definite look and feel for other directors to carry on with future stories.

If this casting call is accurate and is focused on the lead characters, we should be watching the creation of Narnia on an Imax screen next Thanksgiving.

Sources:

• Narnia Web

Not Safe But Good

C.S. Lewis quote of the week

For He [God] seems to do nothing of Himself which He can possibly delegate to His creatures. He commands us to do slowly and blunderingly what He could do perfectly and in the twinkling of an eye. … Is this amazing process simply Creation going on before our eyes? This is how (no light matter) God makes something—indeed, makes gods—out of nothing.

“The Efficacy of Prayer” from The World’s Last Night and Other Essays

Tumnus’ bookshelf

A book by or about C.S. Lewis

Readings for Meditation and Reflection is a collection of daily readings for Lewis edited by his friend and secretary Walter Hooper. One of the benefits of these types of books is they can serve as an introduction to less familiar works and as reminders of beloved passages. Having Hooper as the editor raises the esteem of this collection.

Beyond the Lamp Post

Articles written by me published elsewhere

• Christians Face Increasing Global Persecution — Lifeway Research

Below for paid subscribers is more Lewis and Tolkien news, including a designation for Lewis’ home (that would’ve been this week’s lead story), news on two people working behind the scenes on the Narnia movie, a new book on Lewis’ influences, an online course about Tolkien and his sources, as well as other franchise news, another family-friendly series coming to Netflix and a thought-provoking piece on whether re-enchantment is actually a good thing.