PR in the Philippines

(SeaPRwire) –   Netflix’s announcement of its upcoming major project—a cinematic adaptation of C.S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia series—generated fan optimism for several reasons. Greta Gerwig, known for Barbie, was set to write and direct at least the initial two films, and unlike the earlier Disney versions from the 2000s, this franchise would begin with The Magician’s Nephew, the Narnia origin tale that occurs decades prior to The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

However, these Netflix films appear poised to implement a fundamental alteration to the Narnia universe overall. While this modification modernizes the narrative for contemporary viewers, it raises numerous timeline concerns for this adaptation.

Recently surfaced set images from Netflix’s forthcoming Chronicles of Narnia movie indicate a timeframe not at the turn of the century—when The Magician’s Nephew novel takes place—but rather around 1955, the year the book was released. Though unconfirmed due to a lack of official details, the wardrobe appears unmistakably mid-century.

While this minor adjustment might not significantly impact The Magician’s Nephew‘s narrative, it carries major implications for the franchise’s future. C.S. Lewis’s The Magician’s Nephew is set in 1900, roughly 40 years before The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. The latter is essentially a wartime tale—explaining why the Pevensie children are sent to a countryside manor. However, if the prequel occurs post-WWII, the Pevensies wouldn’t appear until at least the 1990s.

Is Greta Gerwig’s vision for the Narnia series more millennium-focused than century-focused? While this would certainly make the world more relatable to modern audiences, it represents a massive shift for the film.

Such a move wouldn’t be without precedent for Gerwig. Her 2019 adaptation of Little Women altered the ending from Louisa May Alcott’s source material. Yet this change goes beyond a simple plot twist—it’s comparable to suddenly portraying the March sisters as 1920s flappers.

Admittedly, the external world’s setting doesn’t substantially influence Narnia itself, where most of the story unfolds. However, the Pevensies—the saga’s central protagonists—are shaped by their era, and this shift could transform cherished story elements. Might the wardrobe hold Members Only jackets rather than fur coats? Could Edmund crave Jell-O Pudding Pops in place of Turkish Delight?

Perhaps the narrative will manage to present both a mid-century origin tale and a wartime main story, given Narnia’s fluid relationship with time. Nevertheless, this adaptation seems poised to take major creative risks—a bold strategy at the outset of what might become a decade-spanning endeavor.

Netflix’s Chronicles of Narnia movie is slated for theatrical release in November 2026.