Greta Gerwig’s ‘Narnia’ Will Be a “Cultural Event,” Says IMAX CEO

IMAX used its first Investors Day event in New York to talk about Greta Gerwig’s next major project, a new version of The Magician’s Nephew for Netflix.

The information came from IMAX CEO Rich Gelfond, who shared what he has seen from early work on the film. His comments were reported by NarniaWeb, which covered the presentation.

Gelfond said that Gerwig is giving Narnia a look and sound that is very different from past adaptations. Instead of a classic fantasy tone, he said the movie leans into a modern style built around loud guitars and a rock mood.

He mentioned groups such as Pink Floyd and The Doors as examples of the kind of sound the film is aiming for. The score is being composed by Mark Ronson, who worked on Barbie with Gerwig.

During the event, Gelfond told investors that this version of the story is made to feel new for today’s audiences. He said, “This is not your mother’s or your grandmother’s Narnia. The music in it is unbelievably contemporary music, which IMAX fans like.” He also said the movie is being designed as a big release for both IMAX and Netflix.

Some theater chains have pushed back against IMAX and may not show the film, but Gelfond said he believes the project will still have a major impact once people see what Gerwig is doing.

He said, “It’s really going to change the world,” and added that he thinks the film has the potential to become a cultural moment. He described himself as having to be held back by his own team because he is so excited about what he has seen.

Filming began earlier this year. Scenes have been shot on sets that recreate London in the 1950s. This shows that Gerwig has shifted the time period of the story, since the original book by C.S. Lewis takes place much earlier.

The film follows Digory Kirke and Polly Plummer, who are the main characters of the novel. Actors connected to the production include Emma Mackey and Daniel Craig, who is playing Uncle Andrew. Carey Mulligan is said to be in talks for a role, and Meryl Streep is expected to voice Aslan. None of these casting choices have been officially confirmed by Netflix.

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