Narnia Producer Expects PG Rating, Discusses Cast and Avoiding AI
In a wide-ranging podcast interview, producer Mark Gordon briefly addressed Greta Gerwig’s upcoming Narnia film during a recent appearance on The Gary and Kenny Show, reiterating several previously reported details while offering a few new insights into its expected rating and current stage of production.
Here are some highlights from the interview starting around the 7:26 mark:
A “Four-Quadrant” Family Film
Gordon described the film’s target audience as a “four-quadrant all audience movie that will be a delight for kids,” suggesting he expects the film to receive a PG rating, stating, “I’m sure it’ll be PG.”
Title of First Movie
It’s called Narnia. We’re not calling it ‘Chronicles’, but yes, it’s based on the books, The Chronicles of Narnia, the first book, which is The Magician’s Nephew. The first book that [C.S. Lewis] wrote is The Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe. Then he wrote a couple more, and then at some point he went back and did a book that sets up The Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe, which is the book that tells the story of the creation of Narnia. That’s what we’re doing. So it’s first chronologically, but it’s not the first book he wrote.”
Cast Members
Gordon also confirmed select cast members, naming Meryl Streep, Daniel Craig, Emma Mackey, and Carey Mulligan among the “names you would know”. He also had praise for younger cast members David McKenna and Beatrice Campbell:
We have two incredible kids whose names you won’t know, but they’re wonderful and they will delight and surprise the audience”
Production Status and AI
It’s really a beautiful film. We’re still seriously into post-production. We’ve got an enormous amount of visual effects shots in the movie. No AI […] We could have embraced it aggressively. We didn’t. I would say that there is still a question of when you’re screening a movie on IMAX, what level of detail you’re going to get. I’m not an AI expert. I have all kinds of mixed feelings about AI the way many people do. I wish it had never been invented, but it’s too bad for all of us. […] It’s terrifying.”
Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew opens on IMAX screens on November 26th, before its Netflix debut on Christmas Day.
All of that sounds very positive and relatable. Looking forward to the visual effects.
Nice that he knows so many details about the book’s history (I would also expect that a producer should know these things but still).
Alsooooo it sounds like a very conscious choice that they didn’t include “chronicles” in the title – reminds of the recent discussion on Talking Beasts. And honestly, I’m glad it’ll probably be PG rated. It’s a children’s book and not a LOTR-rip-off.
Sounds truly terrible and it breaks my heart.
Right? I was totally wanting a R-rated Narnia movie made almost entirely with AI. Bummer 😉
I would’ve been open to The Magician’s Nephew being PG-13, but the three previous Narnia movies were PG, so it’s not like they aren’t able to embrace the serious or darker moments of the story with that rating.
so is it real? we are having Meryl as Aslan?
I hate to admit it, but base don what he said about “these are the only big names you’ll recognise”, unless shes playing “Aunty Andrea” and Daniel Craig is Aslan, then yes she is Aslan
Oh, I pray that doesn’t happen. I want it to be good … even though I have my doubts.
210 days to go!!!!
210 days ago was October 2nd 2025
Would it make a difference to you all if Meryl Streep voices Aslan but Aslan is clearly a male lion on screen, not a lioness? I have no doubt she could do a more masculinized voice if she wanted to, with the effect of it being a bit softer since she is female. What say you all?
What is the point of casting a woman to voice a male lion?
I wonder if Meryl Streep would have been a good voice actor for Mufasa?
I think a decent amount of the controversy has to do with the fact Aslan’s voice has always been imagined or portrayed by a deeper, lower voice. It would probably take me years to get used to Robby Benson voicing the character of Belle and Paige O’Hara voicing the character of Beast in the 1991 Disney film. Plus there’s the religious aspect, though there are arguments for the times God us portrayed with motherly attributes.
Well, I appreciate the anti-AI sentiment.
I was definitely expecting a PG rating. It would make no sense to alienate a large portion of your market to lean into a higher rating.