Director Greta Gerwig is reportedly pushing for a theatrical release of her Netflix remake of The Chronicles of Narnia. This upcoming movie will be the latest retelling of C.S. Lewis’ fantasy series, which follows the Pevensie siblings as they find a magical world inside an old closet.
Entertainment journalist Matthew Belloni shared that Gerwig, known for her big-screen successes, felt disappointed when she learned her Narnia project wouldn’t get a full theatrical release. Typically, Netflix gives its movies a limited time in theaters, and most never make it to the big screen.
Matthew Belloni, a former editor of The Hollywood Reporter and an entertainment lawyer, recently shared on X (formerly known as Twitter) that Greta Gerwig is “talking to IMAX about showing her Narnia movie on 2,000 screens” before it comes out on Netflix. Belloni also noted that this would be a “huge” achievement if Gerwig can secure a theatrical release for Narnia.
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Netflix has sometimes released its original movies in theaters, like Martin Scorsese’s The Irishman and Roma, to make them eligible for the Oscars. Since the Academy requires films to screen in theaters for nominations, Netflix mainly focuses on streaming for its subscribers, so theater releases aren’t usually part of its regular plan.
If Belloni’s information is accurate, Greta Gerwig’s The Chronicles of Narnia might get a limited release in some theaters. Since her 2023 movie Barbie was a huge hit, Netflix may be open to supporting her wishes for a theater run.
This also shows Gerwig’s feelings about giving her fantasy film a wider release and a better viewing experience. Her talks with IMAX hint that the movie’s visuals are a big part of its appeal, making IMAX an ideal choice for showcasing them.
All signs point to Greta Gerwig’s The Chronicles of Narnia remake being a blockbuster-level movie. Gerwig, who loved the Narnia books as a child, is passionate about the project, so it makes sense that she’s pushing for a theater release.
A movie like Narnia, directed by one of the best filmmakers today and based on such an iconic series, deserves a worldwide theatrical release. With the right cast for the Pevensie siblings, the film could breathe new life into the Narnia franchise and possibly lead to big changes for Netflix, as Belloni has suggested.
Source: Matthew Belloni/Twitter/X