Top 10 Takeaways from Narnia’s First Week of Filming | Analysis

It’s been a whirlwind week for Narnia fans. Within just a few days, we’ve gone from the first reports of filming to a flood of set photos, casting reveals, and new details about Greta Gerwig’s adaptation of The Magician’s Nephew. With so much happening at once, it can be hard to keep track of everything that’s been spotted and speculated.

This article collects 10 of the most notable observations and talking points raised by members of the NarniaWeb community so far across the forums, Discord, and social media.

1. The Magnificent Lion

One of the biggest takeaways came in one of the very first photos revealed to us – the image of a magnificent golden-maned Lion adorning a billboard for a fictional construction company.

With the concern over Meryl Streep’s potential casting still lingering at the back of many people’s minds, the fact that the very first image of a Lion we have seen in the movie is of one so gloriously maned, should give fans at least some cause for comfort.

Although this is only a background set detail, it is notable that the ‘Prince Caspian’ movie similarly used real-world Lion iconography in its London scenes to foreshadow Aslan’s arrival later in the story, as did a scene in the original script for Walden Media’s ‘The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe’.

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2. Our First Look at Digory & Polly

These first set photos also brought with them what is almost certainly our first look at Digory and Polly in costume (though it should be noted that their identities have not yet been officially confirmed).

In one shot, Digory is seen trudging along the road wearing his school uniform, carrying both a satchel and what looks to be a gym bag – could it be that he is on his way to (or from) a swimming lesson?

In another shot, Digory, now in his ordinary clothes, is seen playing with Polly and several other children in the street. This seems to recall elements of the audition scene which was used to select the actors, with Digory claiming to have found something “on the pavement”, and Polly stating that she’s “not like all the others” – details which make more sense when there are other children around, and they are not confined to their backyards as per the book.

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3. A Bold New Look for Jadis

Another photo reveals what is almost certainly our first look at Jadis (or at least her stunt double) in full costume, sporting metallic knee-high boots, a mirror panel dress, and some seemingly Sci-Fi-inspired retro-futuristic armor elements.

It is not quite clear whether this is the design of her Charnian outfit or something she has cobbled together upon reaching our world (much like Barbie and Ken do in Greta Gerwig’s previous film), but the former would perhaps seem to be the more likely.

It is also important to note that the Stunt Doubles are only likely to be filmed at a distance; thus the quality of their costumes will inevitably be much lower than the finished product (note also that the design of Digory’s vest here has a completely different pattern to the one seen in the other shots).

Quality issues aside, Jadis’ on-set costume does still hint towards a bold, and perhaps unexpected, new look for one of children’s literature’s most iconic villains.

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4. The Absence of Uncle Andrew

Speaking of villains, one character conspicuous by his absence in all of these set photos is Uncle Andrew, a character who accompanies Jadis’ on her horse-based rampage through London in the book, but who has seemingly been replaced by Digory here.

Whilst Daniel Craig has still not been confirmed for the role, there was no sign of anyone even vaguely resembling him or the character on set.

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5. A Time Shift to 1955

One unmistakable detail in all the set photos is the 1950s design aesthetic, rather than 1900, as per the book (or indeed the 1940s, as per the other six books). Eagle-eyed viewers may have even noticed that many of the background set details hint towards a very specific year – 1955, the same year that ‘The Magician’s Nephew’ was published.

Whilst the presence of what is likely Digory, Polly and Jadis in this scene makes it almost certain that the entire story has been shifted forward by 55 years (a fact which several Extras from the set seem to have confirmed), the reasons for doing this are not quite so clear.

One explanation for the time jump might be that a 1950s setting is intended to evoke the looming threat of nuclear apocalypse during the Cold War, a theme which would tie in well with the use of the ‘Deplorable Word’ from the book. However, an inspection of the background newspapers and posters does not necessarily suggest a world living in fear of annihilation, but rather seems to be almost entirely focused on the explosion of new musical styles (rock, jive, etc.) and cultural opportunities that defined the 1950s.

Another explanation however might be that Greta Gerwig has simply decided to take the opening line of ‘The Magician’s Nephew’ literally, and has thus transplanted the story to an era in which a modern viewer’s grandfather might actually have been a child.

This is a story about something that happened long ago when your grandfather was a child.

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6. A New World Being Reborn

One of the most striking aspects of the overall set design is the Lion-adorned billboard mentioned earlier, which seems to be advertising a new housing development with the slogan – “A New World, A New Home!”. Likewise, the poster for a paint company reads “Bring Your World to Life!”

Much of the rest of the set likewise features an abundance of the characteristically crude wooden fences that one might typically erect around a building site.

Whilst London in the mid 1950s was still scarred by the ravages of World War II a decade prior, it was also a period of substantial economic growth, and cultural regeneration, with the emergence of the so-called “Baby Boomer” generation.

These design elements may therefore have been included to evoke the themes of an old world dying and a new world being created, mirroring the similar demise of Charn and the birth of Narnia as present in the stories.

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7. Strawberry The Horse

At least three horses were spotted on set, though all with identical chestnut coats and blonde manes, and who had been purposefully fitted with additional horse feathers around their ankles. All of this suggests the horses had been deliberately dressed as likely stunt doubles for Strawberry the Horse.

With the apparent time jump forward to 1955, many NarniaWebbers were wondering how Strawberry the horse would factor into the plot, since horse-drawn Hansom Cabs were discontinued in 1947. Horses however, remain a common sight in London, even to this day, and are frequently used by the Police, the Military, and the Royal Family, as well as for a wide range of other commercial uses, including stables and bridleways in nearby Hyde Park.

The fact that Strawberry is seen fitted with a harness in these photos, does perhaps indicate that his character was likely being used to pull a cart of some sort, prior to being commandeered by Jadis.

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8. Here Comes a Policeman!

A minor character from the book (if he can even be said to be a character) but one that looms large in the imagination thanks to Pauline Baynes’ iconic illustrations, it was nice to see a Police Officer, complete with the traditional Custodian Helmet, strolling onto the set.

Although there is a chance that Strawberry may be a police horse in this iteration, this Policeman at the very least does not appear to be dressed for riding.

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9. Themes of Childhood

One of the recurring themes of Greta Gerwig’s three previous films has been the contrast between childhood and adulthood (often specifically girlhood and womanhood) and nostalgic reflections on growing up. Elements of this are also present in the set design, featuring old-fashioned children’s toys and a marionette theatre.

Greta Gerwig has previously spoken about how the Chronicles of Narnia were an important part of her childhood growing up; therefore, it is no surprise to see her leaning into that factor once again with her fourth directorial feature.

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10. Chasing a Fox?

Another scene filmed shows Digory and Polly walking down a side street, chatting, when they notice a fox. They run toward it and begin playing with it. At this point, it’s difficult to know how the moment fits into the larger story, but we’re told that a real fox was used with a trainer on hand.

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Bonus: Harold & Isadore

A fun Easter Egg, hidden amongst all the background details, is a poster for a fictional music concert, headlined by “Harold & Isadore”, the names of Greta Gerwig’s two young children! A touching tribute from a mother to her sons, in a movie about a son trying to save his mother.

What was your biggest takeaway after one week of filming? Did we miss anything? Let us know in the comment section below!