Greta Gerwig’s Huge Narnia Change Just Created a Massive Problem for Sequels

Greta Gerwig made a huge creative change to Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew, creating a massive problem for sequels.

Gerwig’s adaptation of Narnia is one of the most anticipated movies of 2027. The movie now has a logo, Imax details for its theatrical release, and the first look at Aslan, voiced by Meryl Streep. More importantly, the first details have surfaced, revealing a crucial change to the setting.

Gerwig has moved the plot from the novel’s 1900s setting to 1950s Britain instead. Gerwig also mentioned that British rock music from the 1960s and 1970s inspired this timeline change. The decision to transport the story into a different era is exciting. However, it could be an issue for sequels.

Greta Gerwig’s Narnia timeline change could complicate future sequels

In C.S. Lewis’ Narnia novels, The Magician’s Nephew is a prequel and the first book on the timeline. In other words, it’s the first book in “reading order” because the novel’s action on Earth takes place in the 1900s.

The next book in the Narnia timeline is arguably the most famous of the series, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. The novel is set in 1940s London during World War II.

If Gerwig planned to make one Narnia movie, moving up the timeline is a delightful wrinkle. Changing up the story’s formula is a smart creative decision because there have already been three Narnia live-action movies this century.

However, Netflix plans to make an entire franchise around the Narnia novels, and Gerwig is reportedly attached to write and direct at least two of the movies. With Gerwig moving The Magician’s Nephew’s timeline to the 1950s, the movie starts after the WWII setting of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. In fact, none of Lewis’ Narnia books are set in the 1950s.

Where do the sequels go from here if Gerwig sets her prequel in the 1950s? It’s an interesting dilemma that changes the entire trajectory of Netflix’s Narnia franchise. There is always the option to make The Magician’s Nephew a one-off and move The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe to its original timeline. However, that would be tough to defend creatively, especially if Gerwig directs.

Could the Narnia series movie pass the 1950s? It’s possible. However, is it still an adaptation if the setting completely changes? That’s a tricky situation that Netflix might not want to be in for fear of angering fans of the novels.

Hopefully, Gerwig has already mapped out Narnia’s future past The Magician’s Nephew.

Source: Comingsoon.net