Greta Gerwig’s Narnia to Be Shot on Film, Says Cinematographer Seamus McGarvey

Following the recent news that Greta Gerwig’s Narnia film will not be shot using the IMAX 70mm film camera, a recently surfaced podcast interview with Cinematographer Seamus McGarvey from back in February has revealed that he will instead be shooting the movie on 35mm VistaVision – a film-based format which was recently revived by 2024’s ‘The Brutalist’, which won the Academy Award for Best Cinematography this year.

I’m very interested in the return to celluloid, which, you know, I’m about to shoot this film on VistaVision and 35 with Greta. And I would like to… I think the blend of digital and film, I mean, I’m talking about digital created photography, not AI, but like in our control, it is very exciting.

Seamus McGarvey

He also revealed that unlike previous films, he was given a full six months of preparation time to work on Narnia and that he has been using this time to work closely with the other heads of department to develop the overall visual language of the film:

The lovely thing about the prep that I’ve got on this film that I’m about to embark on Narnia with Greta Gerwig. And the lovely thing is that I’m at a very early stage. I’ve got six months of prep, which I’ve never had before. And it’s a very intricate film, but it’s precisely that visual cohesiveness and sharing between all the departments, all our ideas, so that eventually they’re kind of coming together. And I think that will make it a visually very strong film because we’re constantly bouncing off each other.

He also spoke at length about his overall approach to cinematography in general:

Cinematography is only the portal through which everybody else’s work comes through. That little lens, and that’s the beauty of it. And that’s actors, directors, production designers, costume, makeup. Everybody’s work goes through that little hole. And cinematography is only the responsibility to capture it beautifully alongside all our other collaborators. It’s as simple as that.

McGarvey has also spoken in previous interviews about how he likes to use color as a storytelling device, in particular by using striking contrast and the juxtaposition of different colors within a shot, to evoke different emotions and meanings in the viewer.

Take a look below at some of the shots and scenes from some of McGarvey’s work, and lets us know your thoughts in the comments, or on the forum.