Official: Netflix Developing New Narnia Movies and Series!
It’s official! C.S. Lewis’s beloved classic series The Chronicles of Narnia is headed to Netflix, according to a post shared on the official Narnia Facebook page.
Series and Feature Films
Netflix will develop “new series and film projects” based on The Chronicles of Narnia.
Producer Mark Gordon says this collaboration has “the capacity to translate the Narnia universe into both stellar feature-length and episodic programming.”
Deal Includes All 7 Books
It is the first time the rights to all seven books of The Chronicles of Narnia have been held by the same company. Mark Gordon, Vincent Sieber, and Douglas Gresham will serve as executive producers for series and as producers for feature films. All of the series and films will be Netflix productions, in collaboration with The C.S. Lewis Company and eOne.
What About The Silver Chair Movie?
There has been no word on The Chronicles of Narnia: The Silver Chair movie since director Joe Johnston said he hoped to begin filming Winter 2018. Here is everything we know about that project.
What do you think about this news? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
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Hallelujah!! I have a high opinion of Netflix and I trust that the CS Lewis Company will not allow things to go too off the rails. Unlike Disney and 20th Century Fox, Netflix has a history of letting creators have lots of control.
Extremely excited for the dawn of a new era in Narnia adaptations… even though there are many unanswered questions that do make me nervous at the same time. Feature films and a series?
I am excited. 🙂
What do they mean by series AND films?
That's the big question for me! I did NOT expect that!
One article I read said that Netflix is creating a "Narnia Cinematic Universe" that specific phrasing sort of worries me. It's not that I am afraid of cinematic universes in general, my worry is does the cinematic universe model of film-making fit the Narnia books. It's my understanding that it just wouldn't fit the books well. I want the Narnia films to presented in the best light possible and not diminished for the sake of increasing entertainment value. I am glad we are getting Narnia back though, and who knows maybe Netflix will surprise us (Prayerfully in a good way)
The first thing that comes to my mind is that they might plan to both adapted the books AND do some spinoff thing ala Amazions Lord of The Rings show. The mere thought of that makes my hair stand-up on my neck in sheer terror.
I would be a lot more scared if Narnia was in public domain, but I don't think that Douglas Gresham would let them just go crazy with adding new stuff. And yet I really don't know what to make of this!
So happy or reading this. Narnia will be again where It deserves to be
I'm really confused by that too. Maybe since The Silver Chair movie hasn't been officially cancelled, they want to make that a movie and, say, The Horse and his Boy a series. I doubt that's the case but…I honestly think it could work. LOL. The Silver Chair has a pretty simplistic plot while some of the other books are more complicated and could benefit from a slower paced TV series.
By the Lion’s Mane…
I completely missed the part about film and series. Very curious. I've got no idea what that means but I hope would be that maybe when adapting the books they will chose to make some of them feature length movies and others mini-series. I feel like each book has its own flow and some would be better suited to each format. And the great thing about Netflix is they could absolutely do both and still hold continuity between all the adaptions. Unlike a translation studio Netflix needs both movies and series, so why not do both and let them play off of each other?
I don’t know what to think, but… OH, MY GOD (ASLAN)
I'm wondering if series AND films means that these execs are looking at the books and thinking, "Well, LWW/PC/VDT/SC/LB would work well as an ongoing series, because there's a stronger thread of character continuity there, but with MN and HHB, they would probably work better as just a movie since they're outliers." That wouldn't surprise me…
Beds and bedsteads!
WHA-HA-HA-HA-HAT?!!?!?!? This is amazing news! And I think I'm actually happy about this. Now there will be an episode series AND a film series, so everyone gets what they wanted! Now if they just have the Silver Chair go on its way with Joe Johnston at the helm, and if the films come out on DVD, I will be VERY happy. As in deliriously ecstatic. I'm not too worried about the quality of these productions as long Douglas Gresham is in charge. Netflix is looking for more family-friendly programming, so I don't think they'll ruin the books from a Christian/moral perspective. I just hope they don't try to "declaw" Narnia by making it merely a series of "just believe in yourself" kind of self-help lessons for children. Hopefully Gresham will make sure of that.
P.S.- Hey, we finally got some actual news! How about that! Now I'm waiting to hear just what this means for the Silver Chair.
At this point I think that's the best case scenario.
I think the movie is going to be canceled but dang it at this point I don't even care:0:D This is too exciting!
Crabs and Crumpets! Horns and Halibuts! Thimbles and Thunderstorms! (Gotta start watching me language)
By Jove 🙂
The things that happen while I'm sleeping! It's nice to hear some actual news. Not sure what's up with the implication of both films and a series. There is still plenty of room for speculation!
Oh wow! This is such a welcomed surprise! But, what will happen to the Silver Chair film? I have so many questions now! But I'm hopeful now that my beloved series will finally see the light of day in live-action.
These press releases seem to always contain some nugget of weird/vague phrasing that derails my excitement and sets off alarm bells. What on earth do they mean by films *and* series?
That said, we're in for some interesting days ahead. This could be incredible. Or not. I don't know if you've seen the new trailer for the Netflix Sabrina the Teenage Witch series (I doubt I'll watch it…looks a tad…Satanic?), but the production values and retro style are quite eye-catching and impressive. I would hope for the same for Narnia. My greatest fear is the modernization of the story, instead of what I hope for, which would be the embracing of the 1940's lingo and sensibilities. As timeless as Narnia is, it's also very dependent on the era in which it was written, and wonderfully so.
I think the SC movie is doomed, like I can't see Netflix willing to share their toys with movies and vice versa, just look at the Marvel TV/Netflix vs Marvel Movies. But where it makes sense for Marvel too have multiple platforms due to its wide fanbase, I don't think Narnia is mainstream enough or has enough material to have TV and movies.
Like the on average people go to the movies once a month (some way more, some like myself go way less). I can't see general audiences paying $10+ for a ticket to see franchise they're getting free (not really but you know what I mean).
I am going to stay positive about this. I really hope they keep it family friendly. I have read them with my first two kids and now my youngest and i are experiencing it all over again! So really excited for this!
This is so exciting! I LOVE their Unfortunate Events series so I have nothing but optimism about them doing the Narnia series justice!
I have to say I am still very wary about this.. perhaps because I I am so attached to the Walden Media films (well at least the first two) and their cast. It is exciting that something seems to actually be happening after almost ten years of waiting though.. I do put my trust in Douglas Gresham though.
It would be nice to indicate the Narnian/Earth year at the start of each episodes since the books tell Narnia's historical events from the dawn to the end of time. And starting off with LWW wouldn't make much sense in these series of "episodes, seasons, and films".
These good news is really a great relief
Oh Man this made my day!! ALL 7 BOOKS! And as scary as the idea is they will roll with the universe – I am also excited – that means further in for exploration to the wonder that Narnia has been <3
I do not know anything officially, or unofficially…so theses are my own thoughts/impressions…
One way to do a series and films is to make one animated and another live-action.
I hadn't even thought about that, but that makes a lot of sense! Honestly, as long as the adaptions are thoughtful and internally cohesive, I don't mind differing lengths.
First reaction was apprehension. Then I realized the potential here. The Horse and His Boy would be incredible if adapted well. And Silver Chair is my favourite one… I hope they still use David Magee's script. I think as long as Douglas Gresham is involved it should at least have good intentions (nice fellow, my family and I stayed at his house one time).
As for TV show AND films, I suspect the more stand-alone books might be films and the Pevensie books as the show.
I had an idea years ago that an interesting way to adapt Narnia would be to make the series chronologically, with a number of filler segments/episodes that cover all the cool in-between stuff that Lewis hinted at, like Queen Swanwhite, or the Witch conquering Narnia, or Peter fighting the Giants, or the Telmarines being turned into dumb beasts by Aslan, etc. There’s a lot of other adventures and events that Lewis alluded to. You could mine (some would argue milk) the books for these exciting off-screen moments, in order to compose a more comprehensive series.
Now, I have no idea if that would work on a dramatic, narrative level. And it would certainly make the adaptation feel like the Narnian Bible, rather than the seven Chronicles of Narnia.
I am so glad this rumor turned out to be true just because any new narnia news to me is always good. Like everyone else I am confused about the “new series and film projects” quote but I honestly think its a very broad statement and too early for them to have any real plan in mind of what they are actually going to do with the books and that might be why that quote was made, to cover all possible options of what they might decide to do.
If Netflix's the crown is anything to go by Narnia should be in good hands; huge budget, great writing and none of the Hollywood studio meddling that made the later walden narnia films and hobbit films so bland and boring.
I wouldn't think of there being a problem with having separate television series and films at the same time. DC Comics has several live action shows on the CW and has a cinematic universe in theaters as of now, not to mention programming on their new streaming service.
My only question is in what format will the books be adapted to for the Netflix series. Live action? Animation?
I was thinking the same as Rose Tree Dryad. I was trying to imagine how to incorporate Horse and Hos Boy into the flow of the series naturally, but it didn’t really work. The Magician’s Nephew on the other hand I thought would be great to start the series with. But perhaps they’ll release the films at times that compliment the series’ storyline. I don’t know what that would look like, especially if GlumPuddle’s theory about two books a season is true
I don't know about you guys, but I've already written Netflix with both congratulations, and a recommendation they get David Suchet to reprise his Aslan voice. I think we should make it a campaign…
Trepidatious, but excited about this news!
I think I’ve got it: The Chronicles of Narnia (A Netflix Original Series)
The PEVENSIE Series
Season 1:
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Season 2:
Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia
Season 3:
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
Then… The ASLAN Movies (Released in theaters after the series and before going to Netflix)
The Silver Chair
The Horse and His Boy
The Magician’s Nephew
The Last Battle
There’s your series and your films 🙂
Perhaps NarniaWebbers can play a more vocal role in influencing the outcome and consistency and creativity of the… flims? and… series? due to the stronger role of social media. There are many Narnia scholars here who can help contribute to the films in some way. You who have an eye for details from the books and from Jack's external references in letters and poetry, Time to be loud enough to get "their" attention.
Here's my first contribution: include the Narnia Suite at some point in the series, C.S. Lewis' original Narnia poetry:
March for Strings, Kettledrums, and Sixty-three Dwarfs
March for Drum, Trumpet, and Twenty-one Giants
Now there's a thought. Good show, 'ol chap.
I hope that turns out to be right!
YES!!!!! This news made my week!!
Something I would really like to see is for Netflix to use the same actors/actresses for the same characters for the entire series/films/whatever, MN to LB. Then we can watch the characters progress through out the entire production. The only ones I'd be ok with swapping out would be the older Digory and Polly where they appear after MN, given the age difference. That was one of the few things I had been disappointed about the SC movie was the fact that everything would be new; that's all well and good, except when you're picking up a series from where it was left off before! (I know, I know, most of them are too old. But still.)
P.S. Netflix, please don't make the same mistake Disney did in VDT and go on a movie-making extravaganza! The books are tried and true and worth sticking with whenever possible.
My friend just saw this on Netflix's Facebook and told me. I've never opened my computer and run here to NarniaWeb so fast in my life!!!!
I don't even know how to process this yet. The first thing that comes to mind, though, is that if they try to make Narnia into an MCU-styled franchise, I will not be pleased.
I showed my wife the headline and her jaw dropped.
I told her "series AND feature films" and she spilled her water bottle everywhere. haha
Did you make this up? Or did you read it somewhere, because i actually love this idea.
I have talked about this all day at work. All I can think about and have googled all the information I can find. I really hope they do a great job!
At the very least, with Netflix usually targeting more niche audiences, NarniaWebbers should represent a larger percentage of the target audience.
So keep posting comments! Let's make our voices heard.
HERE WE GO!!!!
This'll be interesting…
This is great!! So excited that it's actually happening!!
With Douglas Gresham (CS Lewis' stepson) as an executive producer, I have very high hopes for this series. He's extremely protective of the stories, and has always been the best advocate for keeping the films to the spirit of Narnia. He got railroaded in VotDT, and has since said he learnt his lesson on that film and would be making sure that any future adaptations would be more under his creative control. So with him as EP on this? I have faith.
WOW! Very excited for this. Finally!.. I've said for years Narnia should be a mini series, cause movies can't do them justice.
QUESTION: Perhaps this could be discussed in Talking Beast podcast. How does Netflix play into all this, per say? What will that "look like"? What I mean is, it says these will be "Netflix Productions". I'm not familiar with how Netflix does things. Does Netflix do the actual script writing, pre-production, filming, post-production, etc for all the shows? Or does Netflix just provide distribution/streaming for their shows and some consulting on the side? I ask, because Netflix seems to do well with pumping out seasons of their popular shows, so I wonder if we'll see Narnia seasons/movies being produced faster than your usual Hollywood sequels.
Does anyone have an email address for Douglas Gresham?
I would like that address too, if possible. I'd like to ask him a respectful, serious professional question, and Susan's Horn is not at hand. 🙂
Mr Gresham's involvement makes me optimistic that this will be done right, and not appall us with anything like a Jill-Eustace romance. I hope DG's health permits him to supervise the whole super-project, and/or that he has appointed a worthy executor/successor just in case he is called home while still in progress.
What a good surprise.. I'm hopeful for these upcoming movies and series to be pretty awesome and well-made. But will this step affect the release of the upcoming "The Silver Chair" adaptation which is slated for probably next year?
Well I'm… I'm jiggered
After thinking about the Netflix option for a while, I think I feel better about this than the SC movie. I'm looking forward to a fresh start. Further up and further in!
Great Scott!
Well I guess The Silver Chair movie is not happening. I hope the order of any new series will be
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
Seeing how short-lived Netflix shows are I wonder how far down this list they will get before cancellation occurs.
As long as they don't try make any of the characters gay, specially Lucy, since she is described as gay but it doesn't mean gay as most people think in today' culture. But if they keep it clean, can y'all imagine the Last Battle. With Tirian, Jewel, Jill, and Eustace fighting at the Stable Door. I get shivers thinking about it. Ahhhhhh. I am praying that Netflix does not politicize this. Since DG is Executive Producer I have hope. We shall see.