Gerwig's Narnia Reveals Streep as Aslan and 1950s Setting
Greta Gerwig’s upcoming adaptation of C.S. Lewis’s 'The Magician's Nephew' has officially entered its marketing phase, with Empire magazine releasing the first visual look at the film. The project features Meryl Streep voicing the lion Aslan, a design choice inspired by David Bowie, and shifts the story’s timeline to the 1950s. While the film is a Netflix production, it will receive a wide theatrical release in February 2027, marking a strategic shift for the streamer. Early test screenings indicate mixed audience reactions, though the film remains largely under wraps until its debut.
Key points
- Empire magazine has released the first official images from 'Narnia: The Magician's Nephew,' featuring a cover of Aslan with heterochromic eyes and red stripes, a design nod to David Bowie.
- Meryl Streep is set to voice Aslan, a role Gerwig selected for Streep's ability to balance 'gravitas' with 'fresh wonder,' noting her age and status as one of the greatest actors.
- The film, directed by Greta Gerwig, adapts the origin story of the Narnia series and moves the narrative timeline to the 1950s, a significant departure from previous adaptations.
- The cast includes Daniel Craig, Emma Mackey, Carey Mulligan, and newcomers David McKenna and Beatrice Campbell, with the film scheduled for a theatrical release on February 12, 2027.
- Netflix will report box office grosses for the film, a move intended to appease exhibitors, followed by a streaming release on April 2, 2027.
Background
Netflix previously announced in May 2026 that it would publicly report box office grosses for 'Narnia: The Magician's Nephew' as part of a broader strategy to support theatrical partners. Filming wrapped in January 2026, and the project has been described as Gerwig's most ambitious film since 'Barbie,' which grossed over $1.4 billion in 2023.
How outlets are covering it
Empire emphasizes the artistic vision and the specific creative choices, such as the Bowie-inspired design of Aslan and the 1950s setting, framing the film as a bold, idiosyncratic return for Gerwig. A.V. Club focuses on the casting rationale, highlighting Gerwig's justification for choosing Streep over other options and noting the film's theatrical release strategy. NarniaWeb provides a more analytical view of the production process, detailing test screenings in Nashville and New York, noting mixed audience reactions, and analyzing the demographic targeting through screening questionnaires that included films like 'Labyrinth' and 'Wicked.'
Why it matters
The release of these images and the confirmation of the 1950s setting signal a major shift in how a major fantasy IP is being adapted, moving away from traditional family-friendly tones toward a more stylized, adult-oriented vision. The theatrical release of a Netflix original also indicates a changing landscape for streaming platforms seeking to maintain relevance in cinemas.
What to watch
The Empire November 2026 issue, featuring the first images, is set to hit newsstands on September 24, 2026. The film is scheduled for a wide theatrical release on February 12, 2027, followed by a Netflix streaming release on April 2, 2027.
- Greta Gerwig’s Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew hits the cover of Empire – with Meryl Streep as Aslan empireonline.com
- 'It Is a World Sung to Life by Aslan' — Greta Gerwig's Narnia: The Magician's Nephew Is Not What You Expect IGN
- Greta Gerwig on why she hired Meryl "one of the greatest actors to ever do it" Streep as Aslan A.V. Club
- Nashville Test Screening Offers New Clues About Greta Gerwig’s Narnia NarniaWeb
- Greta Gerwig’s ‘Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew’ First Look Confirms It’s Unlike Any Netflix Movie Before It IMDb
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