Netflix’s Narnia Reboot Loses Charli XCX

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Charli XCX is heading to the airport as she’s no longer being considered for the role in Greta Gerwig’s “Narnia” movie. Previously, it was rumored that the pop star was a strong contender for the part of Jadis, the cruel White Witch who brings about Narnia’s long winter. However, it seems Netflix is now auditioning Margaret Qualley (from “Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood” and “The Substance”), Emma Mackey (known for “Barbie” and “Sex Education”), and an unknown third actress for the villainous role instead.

In each of Disney’s three ‘Chronicles of Narnia‘ films – ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’ (released in 2005), ‘Prince Caspian’ (2008), and for a short time in ‘The Voyage of the Dawn Treader’ (2010) – Tilda Swinton portrayed her character.

Director Greta Gerwig is said to be transforming C.S. Lewis’ 1955 novel, “The Magician’s Nephew”, a prequel to the beloved Narnia series. This novel delves into the roots of Queen Jadis, the last queen of Charn, and the creation of Narnia by the Lion Aslan. It appears that three-time Academy Award winner Meryl Streep (of “The Iron Lady”) is in discussions to lend her voice to a gender-swapped version of Aslan.

As of now, we don’t have any information about who could portray Digory Kirke or Polly Plummer, the characters who unintentionally release the White Witch and bear witness to the formation of Narnia in The Magician’s Nephew.

As a passionate film enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that my personal favorite, “The Magician’s Nephew” from the mystical world of Narnia, will be the inaugural piece in Netflix’s ambitious plan for a new Narnia Universe. Back in 2018, the streaming giant unveiled their intention to transform C.S. Lewis’ enchanting Chronicles of Narnia books into both television series and films, as part of a comprehensive “multi-year deal” with The C.S. Lewis Company.

Prior to renowned screenwriter-director Greta Gerwig’s involvement with Netflix’s reimagining of Barbie, the streaming platform enlisted Mark Gordon, an Oscar-nominated producer best known for his work on Saving Private Ryan, from eOne (which became Lionsgate Canada in 2023). Gordon was tasked with overseeing the project alongside executive producers Douglas Gresham (who has worked on the Chronicles of Narnia trilogy) and Vincent Sieber (The Hive). This agreement in 2018 marked a significant milestone as it was the first time that the rights to the entire seven-book Narnia series were held by the same company.

In his words, “The enchanting tales from C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia series have touched the hearts of readers worldwide for generations,” stated Ted Sarandos, who was then the chief content officer and is now co-CEO. “Families have developed a deep affection for characters such as Aslan and the entire magical realm of Narnia, and we are overjoyed to be their home for many years ahead.

Dougal Gresham, C.S. Lewis’s stepson, expressed his delight that people from various places eagerly anticipate seeing more of Narnia. He noted how advancements in production and distribution technology have made it feasible to bring Narnian tales to life globally. He believes Netflix is the ideal platform to accomplish this mission, and he’s excited about collaborating with them to make this vision a reality.

Since then, Netflix has scheduled the release of Greta Gerwig’s Narnia film on IMAX for Thanksgiving 2026. Producer Amy Pascal, known for her work on Marvel’s Spider-Man movies and the upcoming James Bond reboot on Amazon MGM, has characterized this adaptation as a fresh perspective on Narnia with a rock ‘n’ roll theme. The film titled “Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew” is slated to hit theaters first on November 27, 2026, before eventually becoming available on Netflix for streaming.

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2025-04-25 03:13