Greta Gerwig is currently working at full speed on the script for the new edition of The Chronicles of Narnia, which she is realizing as a major multi-part project for Netflix. But the Barbie director doesn’t just want to reserve the fantasy hits for streaming, she wants them too on the really big screen bring. However, there is a problem with this.
Greta Gerwig wants to bring Narnia films to cinemas before Netflix release
The rumor mill has been simmering for weeks that there is a disagreement between Gerwig and Netflix regarding the release of the Narnia films. The streamer provides to publish the fantasy strips directly on their platform and to make it accessible to viewers only on their home screen.
However, Gerwig is committed to a theatrical release of the epic fantasy saga. Reliable industry insider Matthew Belloni, among others, reported this in his newsletter Puck. Accordingly Gerwig is in discussion with IMAXto show the films in around 2,000 cinemas before they end up streaming on Netflix.
Films like The Irishman and Roma have already shown that Netflix can definitely focus on one limited cinema release before streaming starts can let in. For the representatives mentioned, this decision was made primarily so that the films could be received by the Academy Awards considered can be. The Oscars rules state that a feature film must have at least a one-week theatrical run in six different US cities to be considered.
Whether Gerwig is insisting on a theatrical release for similar reasons can only be speculated – but her request to IMAX suggests, above all, an artistic and visual decision. Visually stunning fantasy films simply appear better on the largest possible screen.
So far it has been reported that the collaboration between Gerwig and Netflix is not affected by the different ideas. Whether this will continue to be the case – and who will have to give in in the end – remains to be seen.
When are Greta Gerwig’s Narnia films coming?
Filming is scheduled to start in New Zealand in January 2025 and is planned for around seven months. With a release of the first part on stream – or in the cinema – is probably not before 2026 to be expected. Part 2 will probably follow a year later. Until then, you can read everything you need to know about the Narnia new edition here.
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