6 Greta Gerwig Stars We Can’t Wait to See in Netflix’s Narnia Reboot!

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Since Greta Gerwig was revealed as both writer and director for the first installments of the new Chronicles of Narnia series, fans have been eagerly waiting to find out which actors she might cast in the roles of the beloved fantasy characters. With growing whispers that Gerwig will begin with the prequel The Magician’s Nephew, we are now hearing about some of her past collaborators potentially reprising their roles. Emma Mackey, known for her part as Barbie, is confirmed to portray the White Witch, while Meryl Streep, who played Aunt March in Gerwig’s Little Women, is said to be up for the role of Aslan.

As an ardent supporter, I can confidently say that the acclaimed filmmaker, who has been nominated for an Oscar, boasts an extensive roster of top-tier talent at her disposal. These A-listers might be eager to join her in reimagining the enchanting world of Narnia, a beloved fantasy classic. Greta Gerwig’s reboot of Narnia stands to gain significantly from fresh perspectives, as her most successful projects often feature actors with whom she has not previously collaborated. Nevertheless, ardent fans of Gerwig’s works like Barbie and Lady Bird are still hoping that some of their dream castings for the Narnia reboot will materialize, as these choices could shape the new movies in transformative ways.

6. Emma Watson

Previously: Little Women

Emma Watson is a collaborator of Greta Gerwig who, around fifteen years ago, might have been strongly considered for playing one of the older children journeying to Narnia. Now, fans of Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh, and Watson express their desire to see them in Narnia, but are uncertain about which roles they would suit best. Similar to her Little Women co-stars, Watson might find an opportunity to showcase her talent for portraying villainous characters if Gerwig decides to adapt The Silver Chair and requires an actress for the Lady of the Green Kirtle role.

Greta Gerwig Movies
Title Release Year RT Critics Score RT Audience Score Metacritic Score
Lady Bird 2017 99% 79% 93%
Little Women 2019 95% 92% 91%
Barbie 2023 88% 83% 80%

Without a doubt, Watson is an exceptional pick for the world of Narnia, given her renowned reputation in the realm of fantasy literature. She could gracefully embody characters like Digory or the Pevensies’ mother in earlier movies, imbuing these roles with her unique charm and enchantment, even in a more limited capacity.

5. Bob Odenkirk

Previously: Little Women

It’s often overlooked that Gerwig collaborated with Bob Odenkirk, whose distinct performance as Father March in Little Women can easily go unnoticed. Odenkirk excels at infusing charm and depth into minor roles, making him a great fit for voice acting or brief appearances as one of the lesser-known characters in the Narnian alliance. I find his portrayal of Frank, the ordinary taxi driver who unexpectedly becomes the first king of Narnia, particularly noteworthy.

4. Laura Dern

Previously: Little Women

In considering the age range for the parents of the main child characters in Gerwig’s upcoming film, Laura Dern is also a potential candidate. For The Magician’s Nephew, which may be Gerwig’s first movie, Dern could potentially play Queen Helen, wife of Frank, reprising her on-screen marriage with Odenkirk. If Gerwig decides to gender-swap Aslan and discussions with Meryl Streep don’t work out, Dern could be next in line. This role could present a challenge for the Oscar winner, but her versatility and screen presence would undoubtedly add depth to Narnia’s narrative in multiple ways.

3. Simu Liu

Previously: Barbie

In the same vein as Barbie demonstrated, Simu Liu possesses an impressive knack for being both captivating and indelible in limited appearances, which is crucial for Narnia given its abundance of brief characters that often fade into obscurity. Although it’s intriguing to imagine him voicing Fledge, the witty cab-horse-turned-Pegasus from The Magician’s Nephew, Simu Liu could equally shine as Mr. Tumnus in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Furthermore, he may be a strong contender for King Frank or various other supporting roles that we might not even anticipate his perfect fit for at this point.

2. Lois Smith

Previously: Lady Bird

At 94 years of age, Lois Smith will soon feature in the film “On the End” and can also be seen alongside Timothée Chalamet and Tilda Swinton in the 2021 release “The French Dispatch“. In a manner reminiscent of her role in “Lady Bird“, Smith may captivate as a character who makes a brief appearance, offering words of wisdom to the children. This character might be treated with more respect than the one she played in “Lady Bird” perhaps.

Instead of having Digory be the mysterious wealthy homeowner hosting the Pevensies, Gerwig might have opted for an elderly Polly in that role, thereby adding a surprising twist. This way, Smith could bring a sense of intrigue to the character who knows about Narnia without explicitly stating it, yet is aware of what Lucy has potentially discovered.

1. Timothée Chalamet

Previously: Lady Bird, Little Women

Timothée Chalamet is frequently discussed as an ideal choice for the role of Mr. Tumnus in “The Chronicles of Narnia,” directed by Greta Gerwig, due to his captivating charm and talent for conveying internal conflicts. However, it’s worth noting that he might also excel in other roles, such as voice acting or taking on another mentor character, should the opportunity arise. It would be beneficial if Chalamet, along with other collaborators of Gerwig, were given a chance to contribute to the upcoming series at some point.

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2025-05-01 20:38