The magic begins before the wardrobe as Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew trailer reveals Greta Gerwig’s magical new vision
Before the wardrobe. Before the White Witch’s reign. Before generations of readers stepped into a snow-covered world where magic and mythology collide, there was a story about how it all began. Now, Netflix is inviting audiences to discover the origins of Narnia.
The streaming giant has unveiled the first trailer for Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew, the highly anticipated fantasy adaptation written and directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Greta Gerwig. Based on C.S. Lewis’ 1955 novel of the same name, the film takes audiences back to the beginning of the Narnia mythology, exploring the extraordinary events that precede The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.
And if the first footage is any indication, Gerwig is preparing to take this beloved fantasy world in a visually ambitious new direction. Featuring mysterious portals, extraordinary worlds, legendary characters, and the unmistakable sounds of Led Zeppelin, the trailer offers an intriguing first look at a cinematic adventure designed to introduce Narnia to a new generation while reconnecting longtime fans with the magic of Lewis’ imagination.
A Journey Beyond Our World
At the heart of The Magician’s Nephew are Digory Kirke and Polly Plummer, two young characters whose curiosity leads them into an extraordinary adventure. The newly released trailer introduces the pair as they discover a means of traveling between different worlds through magical rings kept in the study of Digory’s Uncle Andrew. What begins as an experiment quickly becomes something much bigger.
As Digory and Polly journey through unfamiliar dimensions, they encounter powerful figures who will help shape Narnia’s future, including Jadis, the woman destined to become the White Witch, and Aslan, the magnificent lion whose presence is central to the franchise’s mythology.
Rather than revisiting the familiar story of children entering Narnia through a wardrobe, this adaptation explores the origins of the world itself. That distinction gives Gerwig an opportunity to establish an entirely different kind of fantasy adventure. One built around creation, discovery, temptation, and the consequences of curiosity.
For audiences familiar with Lewis’ original novels, the story offers a deeper understanding of the mythology behind one of literature’s most enduring fantasy universes. For newcomers, it presents an opportunity to experience Narnia from the very beginning.
Greta Gerwig Brings A New Vision To Narnia
Gerwig’s involvement is one of the most compelling aspects of the upcoming adaptation. Known for her distinctive storytelling sensibilities and ability to balance emotional depth with imaginative worldbuilding, the filmmaker now takes on a property with decades of literary history and a devoted global audience.
Interestingly, her connection to the project reportedly began years before the cultural phenomenon of Barbie. Gerwig submitted early screenplay drafts in 2020 and 2021. After Netflix acquired the rights to The Chronicles of Narnia, she advocated for beginning the adaptations with The Magician’s Nephew rather than immediately revisiting The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.
Her reasoning draws from Lewis’ own perspective on the series and the importance of understanding how Narnia came into existence. It’s a creative decision that could help distinguish this adaptation from previous screen interpretations.
Instead of relying exclusively on nostalgia, Gerwig is approaching the franchise through its mythology, offering audiences a chance to understand the origins of its most significant characters and the fantastical world they inhabit. The result could be a fresh entry point into a story that has captivated readers for generations.
A Legendary Cast Enters The Picture
The magical world of Narnia is arriving with an impressive ensemble of established performers and emerging talent.
Meryl Streep lends her voice to Aslan, taking on one of the franchise’s most important and beloved characters. Meanwhile, Sex Education and Barbie star Emma Mackey portrays Jadis, the future White Witch.
The principal cast also includes David McKenna as Digory Kirke, Beatrice Campbell as Polly Plummer, Carey Mulligan as Flora Kirke, Daniel Craig as Uncle Andrew, and Kobna Holdbrook-Smith as Frank.
Additional cast members include Tom Bonington, Ava Jager, Ciarán Hinds, Denise Gough, Susan Wokoma, Gerard Monaco, James Murray, and Samantha Spiro.
The combination of acclaimed performers and younger actors gives the adaptation an opportunity to balance the scale of its fantasy world with the personal relationships at the center of the story.
Still, one major question remains after the first trailer. Although audiences catch a glimpse of Aslan, Netflix has yet to reveal Streep’s voice performance in the footage released so far. Considering the character’s significance to the Narnia mythology, that reveal is likely to be one of the most anticipated moments of the film’s eventual marketing campaign.
Led Zeppelin Meets The Magic Of Narnia
Perhaps the most unexpected detail in the first trailer is its musical centerpiece. The footage is scored to Led Zeppelin’s iconic “Stairway to Heaven,” giving the fantasy adventure a dramatic, rock-infused atmosphere that distinguishes it from more traditional presentations of the Narnia universe.
Securing the song was no small feat. Gerwig revealed during Netflix’s exclusive IMAX trailer event in New York City that she personally spoke with Led Zeppelin members Robert Plant and Jimmy Page to obtain permission to use the track.
The filmmaker explained that the musicians share an appreciation for the work of C.S. Lewis, helping make the collaboration possible. The song’s presence also reflects how integral music has been to Gerwig’s creative approach.
According to her discussion at the event, the team began working on the film’s music earlier than usual during preproduction because of its importance to the story and themes.
The result is a trailer that feels both fantastical and unexpectedly modern. Rather than leaning entirely on traditional orchestral fantasy cues, the use of Led Zeppelin introduces a different energy, suggesting that Gerwig is interested in exploring the emotional and thematic dimensions of Narnia through a distinctive cinematic language. It is an ambitious musical choice and one that has already given the first trailer a memorable identity.
Inside Netflix’s First Look At The Film
The trailer’s unveiling was accompanied by an exclusive IMAX sneak-peek event in New York City, where Gerwig joined host Stephen Colbert for a conversation about her relationship with Lewis’ novels, the origins of her involvement, and the themes she hopes to explore through the adaptation. Netflix also shared behind-the-scenes footage featuring Gerwig, Craig, the cast, and the production crew as they worked to bring the fantasy world to life.
The additional material offered audiences a glimpse into the scale of the production while highlighting the creative process behind the adaptation. With magical environments, multiple universes, and characters whose actions help shape the foundations of Narnia, the film presents a substantial worldbuilding challenge.
Its theatrical IMAX release also signals Netflix’s intention to give the adaptation a major cinematic presentation before bringing it to the platform’s global streaming audience. For a property built on spectacle, imagination, and larger-than-life mythology, that approach could be particularly fitting.
When Does Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew Arrive?
Netflix has scheduled the film for a theatrical release in IMAX on February 12th, 2027, followed by its streaming premiere on April 2nd, 2027. The release strategy gives audiences an opportunity to experience Gerwig’s interpretation on the big screen before revisiting the adventure at home.
It also positions The Magician’s Nephew as a major upcoming fantasy release, with the potential to attract longtime Narnia readers, fans of Gerwig’s previous work, and viewers discovering the franchise for the first time.
With several months remaining before its theatrical debut, Netflix has only begun revealing the scope of the project. And while the first trailer establishes the characters, music, and fantastical worlds audiences can expect, plenty of questions remain unanswered.
How will Gerwig interpret the creation of Narnia? What will Streep’s portrayal of Aslan sound like? And how will this adaptation balance its literary foundations with the filmmaker’s own creative vision? For now, the answers remain just beyond the portal.
The Beginning Of Something Magical
There is something fitting about beginning a new cinematic journey with a story about beginnings. For decades, The Chronicles of Narnia has invited readers to imagine worlds beyond the ordinary, where the smallest decisions can have extraordinary consequences and the line between wonder and danger is never quite as clear as it seems.
With The Magician’s Nephew, Gerwig has the opportunity to revisit that magic from its earliest moments. The first trailer suggests an adaptation willing to embrace the strange, the spectacular, and the deeply imaginative elements that have kept Lewis’ work alive across generations.
Add an accomplished cast, a filmmaker with a distinctive creative perspective, and a soundtrack featuring one of rock music’s most recognizable songs, and Netflix has assembled the ingredients for a fantasy adventure that is already generating intrigue. Whether audiences have been waiting years to return to Narnia or are preparing to enter its world for the first time, the invitation is officially here. The wardrobe isn’t where this story begins. The magic is.
Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew arrives in IMAX theaters on February 12th, 2027, before streaming on Netflix beginning April 2nd, 2027.