“Fantastic” Narnia Script
Door Jam: March 25, 2025
The Door Jam is a place to squeeze in articles 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 endorsing (or criticizing) any of these but merely sharing them with you.
This week’s top story is remarks from Netflix chief Ted Sarandos on Greta Gerwig and the upcoming Narnia adaptation.
Variety had a fascinating, wide-ranging interview with Sarandos, Netflix CEO. They asked about the streamers’ hits and controversies. One quote I found fascinating was in his response to Variety asking about the controversy surrounding Dave Chappelle. Sarandos said, “We all cry at the same things, but what we laugh at is completely different.”
I’m sure someone else has made that observation before, and it’s probably a truth TV and movie studios have to keep in mind. Still, there’s something interesting underneath for understanding people beyond our choices of what to watch.
But perhaps more importantly for us, Variety asked him about Narnia:
Greta Gerwig will be making “The Chronicles of Narnia” for Netflix, but it will get an exclusive Imax release in November 2026. Why did Netflix want this?
We gave Greta a world-building job [on “Narnia”] before she had built a world with “Barbie.” Her script was fantastic, and we have a great relationship.
So this wasn’t something she demanded?
It wasn’t some giant deal we had to salvage. We wanted to support it and figure out something new. The one thing we haven’t really tried is a big Imax release. Imax is hugely differentiated from at-home watching. When I go to the theater, it’s getting closer and closer to at home. But Imax is super differentiated. The two-week run for “Narnia” will check all the boxes for awards qualifications and create a bit of an event. We’re happy to do it.
It is worth keeping in mind that Netflix and Gerwig agreed on a Narnia deal before Barbie became a billion-dollar hit. Interestingly, he spoke of her job as “world-building.” Let’s hope the fantastic script can be the foundation for numerous projections in the newly built world.
There’s more noteworthy information and observations from Sarandos in the interview, including his conflict with Marvel over the original Daredevil series.
Sources:
Be a Narnia Madness Winner
Each week during our Narnia Madness bracket to determine C.S. Lewis’ greatest fiction work, I’m asking two questions for the chance to win some prizes.
One grand prize winner will receive a copy of one book from the bracket of their choosing and a free one-year paid subscription to The Wardrobe Door, and 10 runner-ups will receive a free one-month paid subscription to The Wardrobe Door.
To enter, email me your guesses to WardrobeDoor@gmail.com or send me a direct message on Substack for these two questions:
Which book in the 16-book bracket was published first?
Which book in the 16-book bracket was published last?
Everyone, including those who submitted guesses to questions already, can participate but only one entry per week. Email your guess to WardrobeDoor@gmail.com or message me on Substack. Every correct guess for either question submitted before March 26 counts for one entry. I’ll announce the contest winners on April 2, the same day the tournament winner is revealed.
Not Safe But Good
C.S. Lewis quote of the week
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen. Not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.
“Is Theology Poetry?” republished in God in the Dock
Tumnus’ bookshelf
A book by or about C.S. Lewis
I will continue impressing on everyone the brilliance contained in God in the Dock until everyone has read and reread that essay collection.
Behind the Wardrobe
Sneak peek at the bonus articles for paid subscribers
In the bonus section, we look at the revealed dialogue Gerwig is using for auditions for the two young leads, movies that may be inspiring her take on Narnia, more connections between That Hideous Strength and Severance, the importance of reading (and writing) “while the world burns, a study guide for reading Till We Have Faces, and some encouraging animation news and some depressing animation news.
