C.S. Lewis originally published theChronicles of Narniaseries in the 1950s, but his novels are still among the most-read children’s books of all time. They have been adapted multiple times,the most famous renditions being a British television miniseries and the Disney films. Disney ended up adapting the first three out of the seven novels published in the series, beginning withThe Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobeand finishing withThe Voyage of the Dawn Treader. It was later announced thatdirector Greta Gerwigwould be making twoNarniamovies as her first post-Barbieprojects.
Gerwig’s movies will be produced by Netflix, and are notable franchise entries for a number of reasons. For one, the first film will get an IMAX release despite later being available on streaming. It was recently announced as well thatGerwig will be adaptingThe Magician’s Nephewfirst. This is a departure from what otherNarniaadaptations have done so far, asThe Magician’s Nephewwas the sixth book published in the series.However, it was a prequel novel when it was released, telling a unique story that in many ways is the best way to craft this version of the saga.
6Netflix Telling The Narnia Story In Chronological Order Makes Sense
It Will Be Easier For Audiences To Follow
Typically, adaptations of theNarniabookshave taken the simple approach by adapting them in their publication order. This starts with the 1950 novelThe Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, and goes on toPrince Caspianafter that. However,The Magician’s Nephewis the first installment of the story in terms of its chronological order.In many ways, it makes sense to start with this first moment in the saga. This will give audiences time to acclimate to the story and its world without having to cut back and forth.
For modern audiences, this version might be easier to follow than the time-jumping tale that was included in Lewis' original work.This is especially the case for streaming, which will still be the firstNarniamovie’s primary mode of release. As compared with theatrical work, a lot of streaming content is viewed at a leisurely pace, making for a viewing experience as convenient as one would hope from something they watch at home.
It is important to note thatGerwig starting withThe Magician’s Nephewin no way makes this story uncomplicated.What Gerwig will choose to develop for her secondNarniafilm isn’t clear yet, so it’s still possible that she could jump ahead in time to somewhere else in the series. However, even if she does, the fact thatThe Magician’s Nephewis first up will help lay the groundwork for the series, aiding the audience’s experience as they delve into the world ofNarnia.
5It’s How C.S. Lewis May Have Wanted It
The Author Advocated For Chronological Reading
Narnia’s very first readers would not have readThe Magician’s Nephewfirst, as it was the penultimate novel to be released in the series. However, some later interviews with Lewis suggested he preferred a different reading order from what he originally published. According to a statement on the officialC.S. Lewis website, the author sometimes suggested that readers experience the series in chronological order when questioned about the best way to read the books. Lewis suggested that it might be the easiest way to read them, soit’s possible that he would think this was the simplest watching option too.
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
The Horse and His Boy
The Last Battle
Thereading order of theChronicles of Narniaserieshas been a source of fervent debate in the literary community. While some endorse Lewis' chronological suggestion, others are passionate about the books being read in their original published order. For after all, even if Lewis retroactively said chronologically was an easier way to experience it, he wrote them in their specific order for a reason. By choosing to adaptThe Magician’s Nephewfirst,Gerwig and her team take a firm stance on this ongoing artistic debate, and one that will hopefully pay off.
4The Magician’s Nephew Allows Audiences To See Something New
It Does Not Repeat Old Ideas
The first four novels in theNarniaseries have all been adapted, but this still leaves three that people have never seen before, includingThe Magician’s Nephew. If Gerwig had gone the safe route, she would have simply adaptedThe Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobeand called it a day. However, this particular story is the most-adapted of all the stories within theNarniauniverse, likely because it was the first published book in Lewis' series.Gerwig’sNarniamoviewillgive audiences a chance to see something new from the universe.
This meansthere won’t be major points of comparisongoing into Gerwig’s series. TheNarniabooks are still absolutely beloved for their coming-of-age nature and their use of fantasy elements. It creates a lot of pressure surrounding the adaptation, especially given how well the first Disney film did at the box office. While there will still a lot weighing on the Gerwig adaptations, audiences will have far fewer expectations for what they wantThe Magician’s Nephewto look like, freeing things up creatively.
3The First Novel Is The Best Establishment Of Narnia’s World
It Shows The Origins Of Narnia
The Magician’s Nephewis by far the best way for Gerwig to establishNarnia’s complex fantasy world. Time passes differently in the mystical land of Aslan and the other characters. By the time the Pevensies arrive in the land behind the Wardrobe inThe Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Narnia is in year 1000;inThe Magician’s Nephew, it is year 1.This origin story will really give Gerwig time to craft her own version of Narnia and establish its central players, including Aslan and more.
2Delaying The Pevensies' Introduction Is A Smart Move
They Are Not Always The Leads
The Pevensie children —Edmund, Lucy, Peter, and Susan— are at the heart ofThe Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, and are whom existingNarniafilm audiences know as the main characters in the series. However,the Pevensies actually come in and out of the book series as a whole.Starting withThe Magician’s Nephewdelays their entire introduction, as they are not even in the novel. Instead, the book focused on a young Digory and on Aslan’s creation of the world of Narnia.
By emphasizing Narnia’s creation first, the setting takes on a more vital role within the story, laying the groundwork for the future.
The novel centers Narnia, the place, as the main character rather than any one human character. This isa much smarter way to establish the universefor a new audience. If Gerwig started withThe Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, it would position the Pevensies as the main characters, and then create potential confusion with further films when it is clear that they are not actually the only important characters at play. By emphasizing Narnia’s creation first, the setting takes on a more vital role within the story, laying the groundwork for the future.
1The Magician’s Nephew Creates A Challenge For Gerwig — But An Exciting One
The Book Was Not As Well-Received
Besides disappointing those faithful to the original published order, the biggest issue with makingThe Magician’s Nephewis thatit is often regarded as one of the lesser bookswithin the franchise. It is not nearly as well known as the other novels, and arguably has a weaker and slower storyline that makes it harder to get into.The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobeis probably the most adapted, not just because of its publication date, but because it shows the franchise at its most compelling.
However, the lack of a significant fan base could actually open up opportunities for Gerwig’s adaptations.The Magician’s Nephewmay not be the best of Lewis' novels, butGerwig could end up completely transforming the story. If the director can succeed in makingThe Magician’s Nephewcompelling and unique, nothing will stop her from crafting one of thebestNarniaadaptationsto date. As such, the risk surrounding this adaptation is there, but it creates an incredibly exciting opportunity.
