Summary
- Netflix plans to release the first Narnia film in IMAX for two weeks before streaming, hinting at a long-term franchise.
- IMAX’s CEO hints at Netflix possibly planning eight Narnia films, highlighting potential for a vast and exciting fantasy epic.
- Gerwig’s unique take on Narnia and Netflix’s commitment could create an unforgettable and popular adaptation, building an epic franchise.
Greta Gerwig’s upcoming The Chronicles of Narnia reboot is something that has a lot of interest. But, it appears that Netflix is now looking to turn this into a huge franchise for the foreseeable future. C.S. Lewis’ iconic novels are some of the most popular and successful in literary history, and they have been adapted in an entertaining manner many times. However, Gerwig’s creative mind is set to put a new spin on things for this world, and Netflix could reap the rewards.
A unique deal has already been struck to have the first installment of The Chronicles of Narnia to have a two-week run in IMAX theaters, releasing on Thanksgiving Day in 2026. This will take place before the film is available to stream on Netflix around the world, but the streaming platform appears to be gearing up for a lengthy commitment to this franchise.
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IMAX CEO Ricard Gelfond recently spoke to Deadline about the upcoming business relationship with Netflix regarding The Chronicles of Narnia movies. He let slip some interesting information that wasn’t previously known regarding Netflix’s long-term plans to turn these epic stories into a huge film franchise.
“This was a really great movie [for us] because I think there are like eight movies planned…and what IMAX does best is launch franchises and launch events, [and] this is the kind of movie that is very conducive to an IMAX release. It’s also not as unusual as you think.”
This has yet to be confirmed by Netflix, and it’s unclear whether Gerwig would be the creative mind behind every single one of those movies at this stage. However, there is certainly enough content when it comes to Lewis’ novels. The Chronicles of Narnia is an epic seven-book saga, and up until this point, the entire run has never been adapted to the screen in completion. That’s something that diehard fans of this franchise would love to see and could make this a unique selling point for Netflix.
If Netflix is willing to commit to bringing every single Chronicles of Narnia movie to life, it could set up an epic franchise for Netflix with lots of excitement that would build steadily. The world itself is perfect for a vast fantasy epic that is ideal for the entire family, and given how entertaining the characters are, there’s no doubt that they would be able to capture the attention of audiences.
The original book was released in 1950 and has managed to remain incredibly popular, showcasing its staying power. It’s proof that the stories are entertaining in their own right, and bringing them all to life is something that could create an unforgettable adaptation. There have been rumors that Gerwig wants the Netflix version of The Chronicles of Narnia to be outside the box, which is something that falls in line with how she tends to work. Barbie was proof of that at its best, and if these movies end up being anywhere near as popular as that, then Netflix could be about to create a truly unforgettable fantasy franchise.
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
- Release Date
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December 9, 2005
- Runtime
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143 Minutes
- Director
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Andrew Adamson
- Writers
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Ann Peacock, Andrew Adamson, Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely
