Netflix debuted the first trailer on Tuesday for “Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew,” giving audiences their initial glimpse at director Greta Gerwig’s $200 million adaptation of the classic C.S. Lewis fantasy novel.
The film, which Gerwig both wrote and directed, follows young neighbors Digory and Polly as they stumble upon magical rings that transport them between different realms. The story serves as a prequel set long before the events of Lewis’ best-known work, 1950’s “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.” The footage features Daniel Craig as the eccentric Uncle Andrew, Emma Mackey as Jadis before her reign as the White Witch, and a brief look at the great lion Aslan, voiced by Meryl Streep.
A cinematic leap for streaming
Ahead of the trailer’s digital launch, the streaming company held a morning preview screening for reporters and creators at AMC Lincoln Square in New York, Variety reported. During a discussion moderated by Stephen Colbert, Gerwig reflected on pitching the adaptation directly to Netflix executive Ted Sarandos years ago, before the release of her 2023 box office hit “Barbie.”
Gerwig noted that she grew up reading the Lewis books, explaining that the foundational lore shaped her childhood imagination. She also insisted that the project be engineered primarily for cinemas. As reported by Variety and /Film, the movie will represent the first wide global theatrical release in Netflix history. It is slated to debut in theaters on Feb. 12, 2027, including advance IMAX screenings starting Feb. 10, before premiering on the streaming platform on April 2, 2027.
The filmmaker also recounted securing permission from Led Zeppelin to use “Stairway to Heaven” to score the trailer. Because the rock group notoriously guards its catalog, Gerwig reached out directly to band members Robert Plant and Jimmy Page with an early cut of the footage to demonstrate her vision, according to Variety.
Star-studded ensemble and mixed online buzz
The adaptation introduces young actors David McKenna and Beatrice Campbell as the adventurous child protagonists. Gerwig told the preview audience that during auditions, an unprompted moment of kindness between the two young performers confirmed they were the right fit to carry the emotional weight of the story. The ensemble also includes Carey Mulligan, Ciarán Hinds, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Denise Gough and Susan Wokoma.
The decision to cast Streep as Aslan, traditionally interpreted as an allegory for Jesus, drew scrutiny from conservative commentators when initially reported, according to The Hollywood Reporter. In an interview with Empire cited by the New York Post, Gerwig defended the choice, explaining that she sought an actor older than 70 with immense gravitas who could also convey wonder and warmth.
Online reactions to the preview on Tuesday were intensely split. While some moviegoers celebrated the rock-infused tone and praised what appeared to be a faithful narrative adaptation, others criticized the heavy reliance on digital effects, with several commenters comparing the cosmic visuals to recent superhero blockbusters, The Hollywood Reporter noted.
Whether Gerwig’s bold visual aesthetic can win over skeptical book purists will become clearer when “The Magician’s Nephew” arrives in movie theaters early next year.
