Ben Barnes Weighs In on 'Narnia' Reboot: Some Fans Agree, Others Fear Gerwig’s Feminist Twist

Ever wondered what Prince Caspian himself thinks about Netflix’s daring new venture into Narnia? Well, wonder no more. Ben Barnes, the swoon-worthy star who stole hearts (and a kingdom or two) in the original Chronicles of Narnia films, has finally weighed in on Greta Gerwig’s upcoming reboot — and his words might just give fans a warm, fuzzy glow.

Speaking to Variety at the premiere of his latest series The Institute, Barnes couldn’t hide his excitement.

"I’m thrilled that Narnia is getting retold," he confessed, eyes sparkling with a hint of nostalgia.

For Barnes, who also earned serious fan cred in Westworld, The Punisher and Shadow and Bone, the magic of C.S. Lewis’s world lies in its timeless ability to blend fantasy with deeper meanings.

"With classic literature, there’s no end to the ways they can be adapted as long as it’s being fresh, and it’s speaking to a new generation," he said.

And honestly, who could argue? With Gerwig at the helm — fresh off her Barbie triumph — there’s every chance this Narnia could be unlike anything we’ve seen before. Ben certainly thinks so:

"Those stories have this fantasy that really allows you to tell beautifully allegorical stories about hope and goodness and faith. I think that it'd be really interesting to see her take on that."

Fans on social media are buzzing too. One Reddit user voiced concerns about staying true to the original’s spiritual roots:

"I’m not watching Netflix's Narnia if they ditch all the Christian references."

Meanwhile, excitement runs high on Twitter:

"My excitement for this movie just skyrocketed," responding to Emma Mackey’s casting as the White Witch.

And one fan perfectly summed it up:

"Gerwig + Narnia is a match made in Aslan’s heaven."

It’s clear the reboot has already stirred a pot of passionate opinions — some skeptical, others wildly hopeful. With such a beloved story in new hands, everyone’s holding their breath, waiting to see if this fresh take will live up to the magic of the wardrobe. Whatever happens, it’s safe to say Narnia’s legacy continues to captivate hearts old and new.