Ever since Netflix announced that it had acquired the rights to adapt new Chronicles of Narnia movies and series four years ago, subscribers have been perched on the edge of their seats waiting to hear more about the deal.
However, before we dive deep into this Netflix deal, let’s jog your memory and recall the existence of The Chronicles of Narnia.
For those unversed, The Chronicles of Narnia has been based upon the titular book series written by C.C. Lewis and published in the 1950s. A fantasy series that takes its readers into the fictional realm of Narnia, The Chronicles constitutes seven books in total.
Before The Chronicles was adapted into the famous Disney movies, there have been multiple adaptations of the same including a BBC series and a radio series.
How did Netflix acquire the Narnia franchise?
Netflix acquired the Narnia franchise in October 2018 when it teamed up with The C.S. Lewis Company. This is a “multi-year deal” which will constitute multiple films and series projects on the go, based on only Narnia books.
According to the co-CEO of Netflix, Ted Sarandos:
“C.S. Lewis’s beloved Chronicles of Narnia stories have resonated with generations of readers around the world… Families have fallen in love with characters like Aslan and the entire world of Narnia, and we’re thrilled to be their home for years to come.”
Here’s the original press release over on the official Narnia Facebook post:
“Netflix will develop new series and film projects based on C.S. Lewis’ beloved The Chronicles of Narnia series. Under the terms of a multi-year deal between Netflix and The C.S. Lewis Company, Netflix will develop classic stories from across the Narnia universe into series and films for its members worldwide.
All series and films produced through the deal will be Netflix productions, with Mark Gordon of Entertainment One (eOne) alongside Douglas Gresham and Vincent Sieber serving as executive producers for series and as producers for features.”
One of the most interesting parts of the Netflix deal is that there are seven books in total, which means there is a high possibility for Netflix to create subsequent movies.
Who is the architect of Netflix’s Narnia Universe?
On June 12th, 2019, Matthew Aldrich, the co-writer for Disney Pixar’s Coco, a multi-award-winning movie, will be working on Narnia. According to the tweet by Netflix’s See What’s Next Account:
“Coco co-writer Matthew Aldrich will serve as the creative architect and oversee the development of all films and shows adapted from C.S. Lewis’s beloved Narnia universe for Netflix.”
“Coco” co-writer Matthew Aldrich will serve as the creative architect and oversee the development of all films and shows adapted from C.S. Lewis’ beloved Narnia universe for Netflix pic.twitter.com/k77EG6f9N4
— Queue (@netflixqueue) June 12, 2019
Ever since the architect’s announcement, Netflix has been very hush-hush about the Narnia franchise. Scott Stuber, the head of Netflix’s film division, in January 2021 vaguely announced that Narnia will be among the projects that will release “beyond 2021”.
What’s on Netflix reports:
“The only update we’ve had regarding Narnia since Netflix France acknowledged its existence was via a source for NarniaWeb in August 2021, who told them that the titles are still in development.”
In 2022, Netflix France stated that the development of the Narnia franchise is still ongoing.
– La mini-série All The Light We Cannot See, avec Mark Ruffalo et Hugh Laurie
– Le roi des ombres, avec Kaaris
– The Fall of the House of Usher, par Mike Flannagan
– 1899, par les créateurs de Dark
– The Playlist, la série sur la création de Spotify— Netflix France (@NetflixFR) April 13, 2022
Recently in 2022, as What’s on Netflix reports, the streaming giant is planning two movies and is in currently talks with Greta Gerwig for directing both movies. However, Netflix has not officially affirmed the news.
When will The Chronicles of Narnia hit Netflix?
The first-ever movie from the Narnia franchise to hit Netflix’s library will evidently be The Lion, Witch and The Wardrobe. However, the book The Magician’s Nephew serves as the prequel, creating a possibility for Netflix to adapt a movie to it. It would certainly be a logical kickstart for Netflix to start the Narnia Universe.
If Netflix is adapting the movies, it is expected to adopt in the so-called “Harper Collins” order, which is:
- The Magician’s Nephew
- The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
- The Horse and His Boy
- Prince Caspian
- The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
- The Silver Chair
- The Last Battle.
For more updates on The Chronicles of Narnia, stay tuned to Web News Observer!