Narnia Movies to Start at the Beginning?

Door Jam: January 7, 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 looks at more rumors about the book Greta Gerwig will adapt for her (first?) Narnia movie.

In the beginning, Aslan created Narnia.

Top Story

Despite earlier rumors that the project was in trouble, recent signs about Gerwig’s Narnia adaptation have been trending positive. Seemingly everyone is on board with Narnia having a theatrical run. The biggest current hold-up seems to be Netflix figuring out how to not set a precedent for other movies and directors.

Rumors continue to build that she will be adapting The Magician’s Nephew. This would also fit with other ideas that the film will be a musical or at least have musical attributes, like producer Amy Pascal’s comment that the movie would be about “rock and roll.” In the Narnia prequel, Aslan sings Narnia into existence.

While I am quite adamant that a reader should be introduced to Narnia through The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, I’m less concerned about where a movie viewer begins. The film series can be structured so that The Magician’s Nephew makes the most sense as the first entry. Starting there would also allow these movies to establish themselves apart from the earlier adaptations.

If Gerwig is still doing two movies, she could use Digory Kirke as the unifying character between The Magician’s Nephew and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. The older Professor Kirke could even narrate the story of his childhood trip to Narnia, and then return as the background character for the Pevensies’ adventure.

We would also get to see another Narnia story as a major film besides the three we already have. Judging by the way Netflix cancels projects, we may not get more than a couple of movies, and I’d like to see some of the other stories get adapted.

Obviously, I won’t be upset if we start the films with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. I’m more upset that we still have to wait almost two years to see Narnia.

Not Safe But Good

C.S. Lewis quote of the week

I do not think the forest would be so bright, nor the water so warm, nor love so sweet, if there were no danger in the lakes.

Hyoi from Out of the Silent Planet

Tumnus’ bookshelf

A book by or about C.S. Lewis

All Roads Before Me is Lewis’ diary as a young adult in Oxford. The journal ends in 1927, a few years before his conversion, but it contains his beginning to wrestle with the philosophical questions that would lead him back to Christianity. This was one of my Christmas gifts that I’m looking forward to reading this year.

From the archives

An article published previously at The Wardrobe Door

C.S. Lewis, the Culture War, and Critical Reading

Below for paid subscribers will be other news and articles related to C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, including Lewis officially arriving to Substack, the queen’s book club discussing Narnia, a Narnia connection with the TV show Lost, Tolkien’s Bible translation contribution, what would the great American fantasy story be like, and more.