Nicolai Haugsted
Reports suggest that the magic among the people behind the cameras is far from what will be seen on screen.
Netflix has invested enormous sums in bringing some of literature’s most beloved fantasy universes to life, and expectations for the streaming giant’s upcoming major venture are similarly high.
With a reported budget of at least $280 million and the director behind Barbie at the helm, the film adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ famous Narnia universe was expected to be another big hit.
However, behind the scenes, new information suggests a less enchanting picture.
Greta Gerwig’s upcoming Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew has reportedly run into significant problems, with several anonymous sources describing serious dissatisfaction with the film internally at Netflix.
According to film journalist Jeff Sneider, the relationship between Gerwig and Netflix film chief Dan Lin has also become strained.
Internal Sources Deliver Harsh Judgment
The information comes from Sneider’s newsletter, The InSneider, and has subsequently been reported by the film site World of Reel.
An anonymous source there states that disagreements between the director and Netflix management are genuine.
The source also claims that several people at the streaming service consider the film to be “awful.”
The source describes the situation as “a real problem.”
However, the criticism does not stop there. According to another source, who allegedly attended a test screening over the summer, the audience reaction was notably subdued.
The source compares the film to Disney’s A Wrinkle in Time from 2018, directed by Ava DuVernay, which reportedly cost the film company nearly $100 million in losses.
The mood after the test screening was reportedly one of disappointment.
This information is currently based on anonymous sources and has not been publicly confirmed by Netflix.
Audiences Must Wait Long for Narnia
One creative choice, in particular, has reportedly caused concern.
The film’s main characters allegedly do not arrive in Narnia itself until the third and final act of the story.
This means audiences risk spending most of a film with “Narnia” in the title without actually being in the magical land.
According to reports, Netflix has already responded to the feedback by ordering additional filming.
At the same time, Gerwig has reportedly received assistance in the editing room from experienced filmmakers to help make the narrative work.
The film’s editing team includes Nick Houy, Wyatt Smith, and Andrew Weisblum.
Houy has previously collaborated with Gerwig on Lady Bird, Little Women, and Barbie, where he was the sole credited editor.
However, it is not unusual for large film productions to use multiple editors or undergo extensive changes during post-production.
Greta Gerwig Has Faced Resistance Before
While the new information may sound concerning, it is worth remembering that Gerwig has previously experienced creative disagreements while working on major film productions.
According to industry rumors, Barbie also faced interference from Warner Bros. executives, including Pam Abdy and Mike De Luca.
Nevertheless, the film became a gigantic success, grossing approximately $1.4 billion worldwide.
For this reason, it is too early to conclude that Netflix has a flop on its hands.
World of Reel also highlights that the version shown at the summer test screening reportedly had far from finished visual effects.
This could have affected the audience’s experience of a film that heavily relies on digitally created fantasy creatures and magical environments.
At the same time, the film site describes the recently released trailer as visually impressive, featuring an atmospheric 1950s London and music from Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven.”
Stars Ready for Billion-Dollar Project
Netflix has assembled an impressive cast for the ambitious fantasy film.
David McKenna and Beatrice Campbell take on the young lead roles, while Meryl Streep, Daniel Craig, Emma Mackey, Ciarán Hinds, and Carey Mulligan are also featured.
The music is composed by Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt.
The film is based on “The Magician’s Nephew,” which serves as a prequel to C.S. Lewis’ other Narnia tales and explores, among other things, the origin of the magical land.
With a reported budget of at least $280 million, the production is among Netflix’s most expensive film projects.
Some sources even claim that the actual cost is significantly higher.
According to available information, Netflix plans to release Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew widely in American cinemas on February 12, 2027.
The film is scheduled to have 49 days of exclusive theatrical release before becoming available on the streaming service.
For now, the premiere date remains, while Gerwig and her team continue to work on the final version.
Whether the reported problems will actually affect the finished result, audiences will have to wait until February to find out.
