(Image credit: Netflix)
The first trailer dropped just yesterday for "Barbie" director Greta Gerwig's first "The Chronicles of Narnia" movie, "Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew." Now, fresh reports are shedding light on alleged turmoil behind the scenes.
Veteran entertainment journalist Jeff Sneider reported in his newsletter "The InSneider" that Netflix insiders were unhappy with the finished film, with some reportedly considering it outright bad. One source who attended a test screening over the summer compared its problems to those of "A Wrinkle in Time," another big-budget fantasy novel adaptation directed by a woman. That film opened eight years ago to poor reviews and reportedly cost Walt Disney Studios nearly $100 million.
Another source who attended the screening said the room fell into a grim, stunned silence when the movie ended and the lights came up. According to the report, that reaction helped prompt Netflix to order reshoots. One of Sneider's sources also argued that the protagonists not fully entering Narnia until the third act created a major story problem. However, that structure comes directly from the novel, which chronicles Narnia's creation and therefore cannot begin with the kingdom already in existence.
(Image credit: Netflix)
Sneider also noted that similar concerns reportedly surrounded Gerwig's cut of "Barbie," which was said to have received behind-the-scenes assistance from uncredited editors and directors. Nick Houy, Gerwig's editor on four consecutive films, ultimately received the movie's sole editing credit. "Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew," however, credits Houy alongside Wyatt Smith and Andrew Weisblum. Sneider argued that the three-editor lineup supports the earlier "Barbie" rumors and suggests Gerwig required even more help this time.
(Image credit: Netflix)
Sneider further claimed that Netflix's decision to move "Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew" from November 2026 to February 2027 was partly driven by concerns over the film's quality. According to the report, the streamer believed a fall release would fuel awards-season speculation, but executives did not consider the movie a viable contender. Moving it to February would allow Netflix to sidestep that conversation entirely.
Sneider also speculated that Gerwig may not return to direct a sequel even if "Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew" succeeds. She signed on to the film before "Barbie" opened and reportedly considered leaving the project after that movie became a phenomenon, but Netflix would not release her from her commitment.
(Image credit: Netflix)
The cast includes Ciarán Hinds, Carey Mulligan and Denise Gough, with Emma Mackey as the White Witch, Daniel Craig as the magician Uncle Andrew and Meryl Streep voicing the lion Aslan. The film opens in North American theaters on February 12, 2027, before arriving on Netflix on April 2, 2027. IMAX sneak previews will begin two days earlier on February 10, 2027.
A prequel within the original novel series, "Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew" was the sixth book published but takes place first chronologically. The story explores the birth of Narnia, including Aslan's creation of the kingdom and the arrival of its first king and queen.
via： The InSneider