Aslan Stands Alone … For Now
Door Jam: January 27, 2025
The Door Jam is a place to squeeze in relevant articles written about C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, their work, adaptations of their fantasy worlds, news from other franchises, and interesting articles. Unless otherwise stated, I’m not necessarily endorsing (or criticizing) any of these but merely sharing them with you.
This week’s top story is more clarification from Netflix and Imax about what the Narnia theatrical release means.
Netflix leadership has consistently maintained that their business model is focused on the streaming service. Despite other streamers releasing movies in theaters and earning some box office revenue, Netflix has remained steadfast, only granting limited runs for a few films, mostly to qualify for awards.
But then Greta Gerwig seemingly forced their hand into granting an at least two-week run on Imax for her Narnia movie. So what does that mean for Netflix’s strategy going forward? Maybe, not that much.
According to Deadline, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos said there is “no change at all to our theatrical strategy.”
He called this move a release tactic. “In the case of Narnia, it’s a two-week special event, I think it’s very differentiated from other runs, because I doubt anyone has a screen as big as an Imax screen at home.”
Regardless, Narnia seems to have garnered excitement from Netflix. “We’re super excited to get it into production so we can talk about how great this movie is, more so than which screens it’s on,” Sarandos said. He called Gerwig “an incredible director, and this is a really exciting project.”
Despite all that he is saying publicly, IndieWire is reporting that Imax and Netflix have had continued talks about not only additional Narnia movies in the future but other Netflix titles debuting theatrically. But for now, both Netflix and Imax are staying quiet about anything definitive beyond this first Narnia movie.
In an interview with FOX Business, Imax CEO Richard Gelfond said both Netflix and Imax view Narnia as a “franchise,” not a single movie. However, they currently only have plans in place for the Thanksgiving 2026 release. Gelfond said both companies verbally agreed that if the first Narnia film is a success, they’d like to partner more, but nothing was made official.
He also said he has seen Gerwig’s plans for the first movie. “You know I’ve gone through the plot with her — which is amazing — and how she’s gonna do it, and I think she’s going to create an Imax experience and then a fantastic Netflix experience.”
Sources:
Not Safe But Good
C.S. Lewis quote of the week
When I was ten, I read fairy tales in secret and would have been ashamed if I had been found doing so. Now that I am fifty I read them openly. When I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up.
“On Three Ways of Writing for Children” in On Stories: And Other Essays on Literature
Tumnus’ bookshelf
A book by or about C.S. Lewis
To read more from Lewis on his writing process and philosophy, along with his reviews of some of Tolkien’s works, grab his essay collection On Stories: And Other Essays on Literature.
Beyond the Lamp Post
Articles written by me published elsewhere
Few Pastors Bank on Prosperity Gospel — Lifeway Research
Below for paid subscribers is more Lewis and Tolkien news, including a Lewis scholar’s optimistic thoughts on Gerwig’s adaptations, a link between Narnia and Middle-earth, Tolkien’s abandoned Lord of the Rings sequel, Tolkien’s “second father,” another book adaptation I’m excited about, and some other articles on Star Wars, Marvel, and thoughts about doubt.
