Greta Gerwig is set to direct a new adaptation of The Chronicles of Narnia for Netflix, with a reported budget exceeding $200 million, making it one of the platform’s most expensive projects. Following her success with Barbie, Gerwig aims to revitalize the franchise after its previous cinematic failures. While Netflix plans to focus on quality over quantity in its film offerings, a disagreement remains over the film’s potential theatrical release. Production hasn’t started, so a release date isn’t expected before late 2025.
At first glance, it might seem unusual: Greta Gerwig, renowned figure in independent cinema, is directing a fantastical blockbuster for a streaming platform.
Initially, we felt similarly when news broke about a film centered on Barbie dolls. Ultimately, Gerwig surprised us all with her clever satire that transformed a plastic world into one of the biggest cinematic successes in recent years. Now, the question arises: can she revitalize the Chronicles of Narnia franchise, which struggled to thrive after the Narnia trilogy’s lackluster reception in the 2000s?
One thing is certain: she will have a substantial budget to execute her vision. As per a report from Bloomberg, Netflix is shifting its production approach, opting for fewer original films at lower budgets but making exceptions for select projects. The Chronicles of Narnia falls into this category.
Bloomberg
A Budget Comparable to Red Notice
The Bloomberg report reveals that The Chronicles of Narnia is projected to have a budget exceeding $200 million. This positions the film among Netflix’s most expensive productions ever, although it still trails behind the rumored $320 million allocated for the Russo brothers’ sci-fi venture, The Electric State, scheduled for release on March 14.
Before this, the highest-budget films from Netflix lingered in the $200 million vicinity, including Red Notice starring Dwayne Johnson and The Gray Man featuring Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans—both directed by the Russo brothers, known for their work on Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame.
Focusing on Quality Over Quantity
According to Bloomberg, while Netflix aims to continue producing 25 to 30 films annually, there will be a significant shift towards prioritizing quality over quantity. Dan Lin, the new leader in Netflix’s film division, indicated that the platform would be more selective in its project choices.
The release of high-budget blockbusters will now be limited to roughly one per quarter, with titles such as The Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F and Rebel Moon. Bloomberg notes that budgets ranging from $120 million to $150 million are reserved for such films, with additional funding available if warranted.
Given the widespread appeal of C. S. Lewis’s novels, the popularity of fantasy genres, and Gerwig’s directorial prowess, a larger budget for The Chronicles of Narnia makes sense. However, the report does not clarify whether this $200 million-plus budget is allocated for a single film or covers the two installments currently in development.
Gerwig Aims for Theatrical Release
Previous updates indicate a potential conflict between Gerwig and Netflix regarding the film’s release strategy. The director envisions a theatrical release prior to the film’s streaming availability, but Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos is likely to adhere to the platform’s traditional approach. Generally, in-house films are released exclusively on streaming unless Netflix seeks an Oscar nod, which necessitates at least a limited theatrical presence.
As production on The Chronicles of Narnia has yet to commence, pinpointing a release date remains challenging. We are still awaiting casting announcements, suggesting the film might not grace screens until late 2025 at the earliest.