Greta Gerwig is officially bringing C.S. Lewis's beloved world back to the screen, and the first trailer for Narnia: The Magician's Nephew has just landed. The film, which Gerwig wrote and directed, adapts the sixth novel in the Chronicles of Narnia series, and it's already generating serious buzz thanks to a star-studded cast and a visionary approach.
The trailer introduces us to Digory Kirke and Polly Plummer, played by David McKenna and Beatrice Campbell, as they stumble into the magical Wood between the Worlds. Daniel Craig takes on the role of the scheming Andrew Ketterley, while Emma Mackey portrays the iconic Jadis (better known as the White Witch). Carey Mulligan appears as Flora Kirke, and the voice cast includes Meryl Streep and Ciarán Hinds. It's a lineup that promises both star power and depth.
During an exclusive IMAX screening of the trailer, Gerwig sat down with Stephen Colbert for a Q&A, where she described the project as a "dream come true." Her connection to Lewis's work runs deep—she grew up with the books, and that childhood passion is what led her to approach Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos at an event to congratulate him on acquiring the Narnia rights. That conversation sparked a collaboration that would eventually put Gerwig in the director's chair, even before her Barbie phenomenon took the world by storm.
Gerwig's pre-production process was anything but conventional. She immersed herself in Lewis's world, traveling to Oxford, Cambridge, and Belfast to walk in his footsteps. She also re-read all of his works, including novels outside the Narnia series, jotting down every sentence that gave her goosebumps. This deep dive helped her craft a fantasy that feels both authentic and fresh, honoring the source material while bringing her own creative vision.
Collaboration was at the heart of the production. Gerwig famously placed a sign above her door that read "A safe space for stupidity," encouraging her team to bring their wildest ideas to the table. That ethos extended to every department, from production and costume design to cinematography and visual effects. The goal was to inspire "the most outrageous creativity," a fitting tribute to Lewis's imaginative universe.
Music plays a pivotal role in The Magician's Nephew, which is about the birth of a world through song. To capture that, Gerwig brought back Barbie collaborators Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt to compose the score. They began writing and composing before a single frame was shot, immersing themselves in the concept art to understand the worlds being built. The result is a score that's woven into the very fabric of the film.
When Netflix saw an early cut, they were so impressed that they pushed the release date to February 2027 to ensure a proper theatrical experience. Sarandos told Gerwig to make the movie for the biggest screen possible, prompting her to shoot on actual film for IMAX. That decision is already paying off, as the trailer's visuals are nothing short of breathtaking.
For fans of the Narnia prequel trailer, this is just the beginning. The film is set to hit theaters on February 12, 2027, in IMAX, followed by a streaming release on Netflix on April 2. If you're looking for more fantasy gems to tide you over, check out our list of the best fantasy movies since 2010. And for those who love a good binge, we've got four fantasy shows that never had a bad season.
With Gerwig at the helm and a cast this talented, Narnia: The Magician's Nephew is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated fantasy films of the decade. Stay tuned for more updates as the release date approaches.
