Greta Gerwig's 'Narnia: The Magician's Nephew': Cast, Plot & Everything We Know
The premiere of the new film in The Chronicles of Narnia universe is approaching, and here's everything you need to know about Greta Gerwig's upcoming movie.
Narnia: The Magician's Nephew is an upcoming film adaptation of C. S. Lewis' fantasy novel of the same name is directed by Greta Gerwig, the creator of Barbie and Little Women.
In anticipation of the movie's 2026 release, we have compiled all the information about the new Chronicles of Narnia film.
When Will 'Narnia: The Magician's Nephew' Be Released?
Narnia: The Magician's Nephew theatrical release date is currently set for November 26, 2026.
What Is 'The Magician's Nephew's Place in The Chronicles of Narnia Universe?
The first book in The Chronicles of Narnia series, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, was published in 1950. It tells the story of the Pevensie siblings – Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy – and their adventures in Narnia.
They discover the entrance to the magical land inside Professor Digory Kirke's wardrobe. During their journey, the Pevensies meet lion Aslan and the evil White Witch, who has condemned the land's inhabitants to a hundred-year curse.
Subsequent books, such as Prince Caspian and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, which were also adapted, continue the story of the Pevensies as they return the throne to Narnia's rightful ruler and set off in search of lords expelled from the country.
The Magician's Nephew, directed by Greta Gerwig, is a prequel to these stories.
What Will 'The Magician's Nephew' Be About?
In The Magician's Nephew, young Digory Kirke and his friend Polly Plummer are transported to Narnia as a result of an experiment gone wrong. The novel is set in the early 20th century.
Digory and Polly witness the creation of Narnia. During their journey through this magical land, they accidentally free the White Witch. She first follows them to London, and then settles in Narnia. This sets the stage for the conflicts in the subsequent books.
'The Magician's Nephew' Was Initially Planned to Be Released Years Ago
Initially, 20th Century Fox was set to release The Magician's Nephew, which was planned to be the fourth film in the franchise after The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.
However, in 2011, the studio lost the rights to adapt The Chronicles of Narnia. Seven years later, the rights passed to Netflix, which intends not just to revive the franchise, but to completely remake it.
Who Is in the Cast of 'The Magician's Nephew'?
Casting for The Magician's Nephew is already in full swing and has been fairly quiet thus far. However, there are still some casting updates.
- James Bond star Daniel Craig will play Andrew Ketterley, Digory Kirke's uncle whose experiments lead the main characters to Narnia;
- Meryl Streep will voice the lion Aslan, the creator of Narnia and its inhabitants;
- Emma Mackey, star of Sex Education, has been cast as the main antagonist, the White Witch, a role previously played by Tilda Swinton;
- Carey Mulligan, best known for her role in Drive, will play the mother of one of the main characters;
- According to insiders who were on the set of The Magician's Nephew, David McKenna will play Digory Kirke, and Beatrice Campbell will portray his friend, Polly. However, this information has not yet been officially confirmed.
