What Do Walden’s Narnia Stars Think of Netflix’s Reboot?
As work on Greta Gerwig’s Narnia movie continues to roll forward through its pre-production phase, the stars of the previous Walden Media franchise have been expressing their excitement for this new era, as they each embark upon exciting new projects in their own careers.
Ben Barnes, speaking at the premiere for his new TV series ‘The Institute’, said he was excited to see the Narnia stories being re-told for a new generation of fans:
… fantasy 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. I’m thrilled that [“Narnia”] is getting retold.
Meanwhile in an interview with 1883 Magazine, Georgie Henley, who is just coming towards the end of a month-long run on the stage at a London theater, offered some words of support to whoever gets the role of Polly:
And I just keep thinking about that little girl who’s going to get the call. Because it changed my life. I had the most glorious experiences – we were so protected, and I hope she’ll be protected in the same way. It’s a different climate now with social media and all that, but I’m genuinely excited for her. She’s about to go on the most amazing adventure.
Whilst over in Paris, William Moseley and Anna Popplewell, speaking at the recent ‘Touch of Fantasy’ convention, have been reflecting on the success of the previous films and looking ahead to the new ones. Although William seemed to be unaware that the new series would be starting with ‘The Magician’s Nephew’ this time around, he nevertheless seemed keen to do a set visit should the opportunity arise:
I just hope that we get a chance to go to the set, because I’m sure the sets will somehow be similar… whatever it is, you still have to have “Narnia”. Narnia is the roots of the story. So I’d just like to go to the set and see what they created from their imagination.
Although the cameras have yet to start rolling on Greta Gerwig’s Narnia movie, numerous indicators suggest that activities such as set building, prop creation and costume making have been underway for many weeks now. The exact filming date however is yet to be determined, with a short delay from the originally proposed July start date looking likely.
Cool to see.
I love Georgie’s warm comments! She seems to have a heart of empathy and championing for the next young Narnian actress.
I love what Georgie had to say. I’m 100% with her that I hope the new actors get the same protection she did….social media is an unforgiving place (and sadly kids aren’t immune from it). However, it is quite cool that a new generation is getting an opportunity that they wouldn’t have otherwise had if development on the project moved along faster. Now math has never been my strong suit, but it would seem that more than half of these new actors’ lives would have gone by since the initial acquisition took place in 2018. That’s definitely something wild to think about.
Still hoping we get some cameos from some of these guys…
Wes series
I like reading these comments from the Disney/Walden cast. I hope the children working on the Netflix adaptation have good experiences and a life outside of film-making. I hope William gets to visit the set, too.
It is a very different climate because more people are rude now and partly because of the rise in “reaction videos” that instead of addressing some overall things they liked and didn’t like, instead nitpick about actors’ hair colors and really every creative choice for click bait. Fantasy stories are very susceptible because they require a certain suspension of disbelief.
I just don’t care that they might like it. I don’t like it.
The Walden cast seems quite enthusiastic about Greta Gerwig’s new film. I hope they won’t be disappointed by something that might be different from what they expected. If they are involved in any guest appearances the film would probably be made better. Let’s hope for something that at least is something like the original book.
Until it is proven that Gereig will do a good job and be faithful, especially to the spirit and ideologies of the books, [MODERATOR REMOVED] […] Such as all the talk of Meryl Streep talking the role of Aslan. That is such a desecration that any faithful director would have immediately abolished all rumors. Aslan is a male. King. Male coded. Son of the emperor over the sea. Male. ‘He is not a tame lion.’ He. Since he is jesus Christ, it is a desecration to make him voiced by a women. Nothing agains Meryl streep. But she should have both the decency to not addition, and to condemn gerwig for considering a women for the role.
So, I think it a poor thing for the previous actors to be praising it.
There are things that the actors are right to point out, such as being protected.
On the whole, Mr beaver said it well.
“When you meet anything that’s going to be human and isn’t yet, or used to be human once and isn’t now, or ought to be human and isn’t, you keep your eyes on it and feel for your hatchet.”
If you see something that ought to be Narnia and isn’t, don’t admire it.
@ Christian, as you have shown, have a lot of to say about the Netflix Narnia adaption given the little information that is publicly available to the public. Your response to the vagueness of the project echo some sentiments and concerns others have regarding to questions be raised as you and many others, specifically with Aslan. Yet, there hasn’t been a lot of questions on key contributors to this project like Douglas Gresham and his foundation who must have to talked with the other side regarding clarity cause the silence from them in addition to those working with Netflix and Gerwig. The building silence in itself is an “itch” to the fan community as the lingering concerns itself draws-out “ what-if scenarios “ that plays like a broken record in a echo chamber spooking you left and right until your emotionally drained. This why the current situation is innocent until proven guilty since until there is actual visually observable evidence of the project to show what it will be , nothing will matter as observed from the public response.
@Christian, Well, the actors have the rights to their opinions, you know. (Though I’d honestly expect them to say the nice things they’re saying about the new adaptation just out of politeness.)
I really hope they could come back as the adult versions of the Pevensies.. that would be magical. Love Georgie for what she said.
They really need to stop asking the Disney cast about how they feel about someone else making Narnia. What can they say? I feel, like someone else here said, that most of them are just being polite, though I saw an interview with Tilda Swinton where she was asked her opinion on the matter and she looked rather uncomfortable having to answer – her answer was that she doesn’t repeat past work and she left it at that and her body language made it clear that she wasn’t interested in talking about it.