Annie Popplewell as Susan Pevensie and James McAvoy as Mr. Tumnus in The Chronicles of Narnia movies against Netflix background Greta Gerwig’s Chronicles of Narnia adaptation is one of the most exciting fantasy projects coming down the pike, and a new hint about its timeline makes it even more so. While the Barbie director is slated to make at least two Narnia films for Netflix, little is known about either. There have been reports that Gerwig is pursuing a theatrical release for the films, but that’s about all that’s come out. It’s unclear which of the Chronicles of Narnia books will be adapted, and confirmed casting news has yet to surface, though there have been rumors.

Some whispers indicate that Jason Isaacs could be involved with the project, and his latest comments about Netflix’s Narnia remake suggest he could have insider knowledge. From what Isaacs told The Week, Gerwig is adapting The Magician’s Nephew. While this isn’t confirmed by Gerwig or the streamer itself, this development is a long time coming. C.S. Lewis’ prequel book is the perfect place to start a Narnia remake, and if Isaacs is correct, it makes the upcoming Narnia project an even bigger deal.

Jason Isaacs’ Narnia Comments Mean An Exciting First For The Franchise

The Magician’s Nephew Has Never Been Adapted Before

A custom image of Peter from The Chronicles of Narnia and the cover of The Magician's Nephew with a blurred forested backgroundCustom image by Yeider Chacon. 

Assuming Isaacs’ comments are accurate, Gerwig’s Narnia adaptation will mark an exciting first for the franchise. It will be the first time The Magician’s Nephew is brought to the screen, as Disney’s film series never got the chance to tackle the 1955 novel. The Magician’s Nephew was reportedly meant to follow 2010’s Voyage of the Dawn Treader (via The Christian Post). However, Disney’s Narnia series ending early upended that plan. Netflix has the opportunity to finally see an adaptation of the prequel book to fruition, beginning its own Narnia series in a unique manner.

Starting Netflix’s Narnia reboot with The Magician’s Nephew is infinitely more exciting than retreading familiar territory, and it will deliver on something fans of Lewis’ books have been waiting for. It will also add context to the Pevensies’ adventures in Narnia. By adapting The Magician’s Nephew, Gerwig can dig deeper into the series’ lore — and potentially even expand on what’s outlined in Lewis’ books.

Greta Gerwig’s Narnia Prequel Can Finally Expand On The Books’ Lore

The Magician’s Nephew Explores Narnia’s Background

The book covers of The Last Battle, The Magician's Nephew, and Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia, from The Chronicles of Narnia series by C. S. Lewis.Custom image by Yeider Chacon 

Because The Magician’s Nephew functions as a prequel to the other Narnia books, it’s able to expand on the fantasy world’s background. The book explores Narnia’s creation, and it reveals how major elements of the main story — like the iconic lamppost and the White Witch — came to be there. Needless to say, it’s a necessary addition to the series, which is relatively light on lore even with The Magician’s Nephew. Introducing the history of Narnia will lay a solid foundation for Gerwig and Netflix to build on, assuming they intend to adapt all of Lewis’ books.

While diverging from the books tends to be controversial for screen adaptations, this is a rare case where it could improve on them.

The prequel film will shed light on some unanswered questions from the Narnia movies, especially for viewers who aren’t familiar with the books. However, it could also take things further, expanding on Lewis’ lore and explaining elements of Narnia and its magic that aren’t touched on in the source material. While diverging from the books tends to be controversial for screen adaptations, this is a rare case where it could improve on them. There are even parts of The Magicians Nephew that could be elaborated on, like Mrs. Lefay’s backstory.

Netflix’s Narnia Remake Being A Prequel Will Help It Stand Out From The Disney Movies

Anna Popplewell as Susan Pevensie wearing a crown and smiling while standing in a woodland in The Chronicles of Narnia. Susan in Narnia Prince Caspian Edmund in battle in Narnia Prince Caspian Susan, Edmund, and Peter Pevensie face someone in Chronicles of Narnia. Edmund and Aslan stand on a rock in The Chronicles of Narnia.  Anna Popplewell as Susan Pevensie wearing a crown and smiling while standing in a woodland in The Chronicles of Narnia. Susan in Narnia Prince Caspian Edmund in battle in Narnia Prince Caspian Susan, Edmund, and Peter Pevensie face someone in Chronicles of Narnia. Edmund and Aslan stand on a rock in The Chronicles of Narnia. 

In addition to opening the door to explore the lore surrounding Narnia further, adapting The Magician’s Nephew is exciting because it sets the Netflix remake apart from the Disney movies. It’s unclear how many Narnia movies Netflix is planning, but it’s nice to know that the streamer won’t just rehash the same stories with different actors. By kicking off with a prequel narrative set before the Pevensies’ story, the Netflix reboot is already proving it wants to do something fresh and different with the series.

Netflix may still return to beloved books like The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, Prince Caspian, and Voyage of the Dawn Treaders after the fact, but it will be from a stronger foundation thanks to its prequel film. And if it marks a franchise first by tackling The Magician’s Nephew, the streamer may also approach those stories from more unique angles. Needless to say, Isaacs’ tease is a refreshing sign for Gerwig’s upcoming Chronicles of Narnia movies. Hopefully, either the director or Netflix confirm his timeline tease soon.