Director Greta Gerwig is taking on the ambitious task of bringing The Magician’s Nephew to the big screen, marking a significant new chapter for the beloved fantasy series. The film, which is the first chronologically in C.S. Lewis's seven-book saga, explores the creation of Narnia and the accidental awakening of the formidable White Witch.

Initially slated for a November 2026 Thanksgiving weekend release, Netflix shifted its strategy, opting for a wide theatrical debut on February 12, 2027, before making the film available for streaming on April 2, 2027. This theatrical-first approach underscores the streamer's confidence in Gerwig's vision for the epic fantasy.

The cast features a mix of established stars and promising newcomers. David McKenna and Beatrice Campbell step into the pivotal roles of Digory Kirke and Polly Plummer, the two children whose magical rings set the story in motion. Daniel Craig will portray the eccentric Uncle Andrew Ketterly, while Carey Mulligan takes on the role of Mabel Kirke, Digory's mother. Emma Mackey is cast as Jadis, a character who will ultimately become the iconic White Witch, previously embodied by Tilda Swinton in earlier Narnia adaptations.

Perhaps the most talked-about casting decision is Meryl Streep lending her voice to Aslan, the majestic lion and true king of Narnia. This choice, previously a subject of widespread speculation, was confirmed by Gerwig herself. Speaking to Empire, Gerwig articulated her reasoning, stating, “I wanted someone who was profound but not pretentious, who had gravitas but not morose self-seriousness.” She further elaborated, “I wanted someone who was older than 70, so there was a wisdom of experience, but who also had the capacity of fresh wonder, like a child. And also to be one of the greatest actors to ever do it.” The trailer also features the distinctive voice of Irish actor Ciarán Hinds, though his specific role is yet to be officially confirmed.

The recently released trailer has already made a considerable impact, notably securing the rare licensing of Led Zeppelin’s iconic track “Stairway to Heaven.” Viewers catch glimpses of McKenna and Campbell hopping between worlds, Jadis in a striking, silvery costume, and a brief appearance of Aslan, though Streep's voice is not heard in the initial preview. According to an exclusive report by Deadline, the trailer amassed a staggering 481.3 million views in its first week, a figure that surpasses even the impressive viewership of the Barbie trailer, signaling immense anticipation for Gerwig's take on Narnia.

At its core, The Magician’s Nephew tells the story of how Digory and Polly are tricked by Uncle Andrew into using magical rings that transport them to various worlds. They witness the birth of Narnia at the hands of Aslan and inadvertently unleash the malevolent Jadis upon the nascent world.

Behind the scenes, the film boasts a strong production team, with Mark Gordon, Amy Pascal, Vincent Sieber-Smith, and Greta Gerwig serving as producers. Patricia Whitcher, Douglas Gresham, and Melvin Adams (representing the C. S. Lewis Estate) are on board as executive producers, with Christine Crais as co-producer. This combined talent aims to deliver a faithful yet fresh adaptation of Lewis's beloved fantasy classic.

<figure><div><p><img srcset="https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot-2026-10-13-at-11.20.17-AM-e1791918261351.png 2880w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot-2026-10-13-at-11.20.17-AM-e1791918261351.png?resize=150,71 150w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot-2026-10-13-at-11.20.17-AM-e1791918261351.png?resize=300,143 300w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot-2026-10-13-at-11.20.17-AM-e1791918261351.png?resize=1024,486 1024w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot-2026-10-13-at-11.20.17-AM-e1791918261351.png?resize=1536,730 1536w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot-2026-10-13-at-11.20.17-AM-e1791918261351.png?resize=2048,973 2048w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot-2026-10-13-at-11.20.17-AM-e1791918261351.png?resize=211,100 211w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot-2026-10-13-at-11.20.17-AM-e1791918261351.png?resize=60,29 60w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot-2026-10-13-at-11.20.17-AM-e1791918261351.png?resize=352,167 352w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot-2026-10-13-at-11.20.17-AM-e1791918261351.png?resize=110,52 110w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot-2026-10-13-at-11.20.17-AM-e1791918261351.png?resize=285,135 285w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot-2026-10-13-at-11.20.17-AM-e1791918261351.png?resize=320,152 320w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot-2026-10-13-at-11.20.17-AM-e1791918261351.png?resize=640,304 640w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot-2026-10-13-at-11.20.17-AM-e1791918261351.png?resize=800,380 800w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot-2026-10-13-at-11.20.17-AM-e1791918261351.png?resize=1280,608 1280w" decoding="async" width="1024" height="486" alt="Emma Mackey in 'Narnia: The Magician's Nephew' trailer" src="https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot-2026-10-13-at-11.20.17-AM-e1791918261351.png?w=300"></p></div><figcaption><span>Emma Mackey in ‘Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew’</span><cite>Netflix</cite></figcaption></figure>