Greta Gerwig (Barbie, Little Woman, Lady Bird) has committed to writing and directing two movies based on C.S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia for Netflix. She was previously in negotiations two direct multiple Narnia films several months ago, and I imagine that if she has a good time directing these first two movies, she may direct more. But, committing to two of them is a big job!
Gerwig confirmed the news herself in a recent interview with The New Yorker with the report saying: “There would be other adaptations in her future – she has a deal with Netflix to write and direct at least two films based on C. S. Lewis’s ‘The Chronicles of Narnia’ – but she wasn’t likely to make another movie about a toy.”
Gerwig went on to talk about what it would take to helm another toy adaptation, saying: “It would have to be something that has some strange hook in me, that feels like it goes to the marrow.”
Netflix announced its plan to adapt these Narnia fantasy novels back in 2018, saying, “Under the terms of a multi-year deal between Netflix and The C.S. Lewis Company, Netflix will develop classic stories from across the Narnia universe into series and films for its members worldwide. All series and films produced through the deal will be Netflix productions, with Mark Gordon of Entertainment One (eOne) alongside Douglas Gresham and Vincent Sieber serving as executive producers for series and as producers for features. In total the Narnia books have sold more than 100 million copies and been translated in more than 47 languages worldwide. The deal marks the first time that rights to the entire seven books of the Narnia universe have been held by the same company.”
Gerwig is a talented filmmaker and storyteller and I’ve enjoyed the films that she’s made over the course of her career. I especially liked her adaptation of Little Women, and I’m looking forward to Barbie. I think she’s a solid choice to adapt these epic Narnia fantasy stories. I’m looking forward to see what she’s going to do with it.
Gerwig’s next movie is Barbi hits theaters on July 21, 2023.