Going Nuclear for Narnia
Door Jam: March 3, 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 some fallout of the Imax/Netflix/Narnia deal, including a threat by Imax to “go nuclear” on theaters that refuse to carry Greta Gerwig’s adaptation next Thanksgiving.
While Imax and Netflix are seemingly happy with the arrangement for a limited theatrical run for Gerwig’s Narnia movie, others might not share the joy.
First reported by Hollywood rumor newsletter Puck, then followed up by numerous other outlets, movie studios and theater chains are reportedly furious at the deal. None of the studios or theaters like Netflix because the streaming service has changed the model and worked to downplay the moviegoing experience.
According to one insider who spoke to Puck’s Kim Masters:
[IMAX CEO Rich Gelfond] did this on his own without consulting any of his [studio] partners. They gave Netflix a two-week exclusive even though the other studios provide movies to them 52 weeks a year.
Both Disney and Lionsgate have major releases planned for around Thanksgiving 2026. This would lock them out of many Imax screens. Theater chains, not wanting to anger their primary partner, have pondered boycotting Narnia on their Imax screens.
For their part, Imax insinuated they have a “nuclear option” to force theaters to follow their lead. No one is quite sure what that means, but Imax seems determined.
Let’s hope everyone can find a way to work together and we don’t have to find out what the nuclear option is.
Sources:
Not Safe But Good
C.S. Lewis quote of the week
Everyone feels benevolent if nothing happens to be annoying him at the moment. … We think we are kind when we are only happy: it is not so easy, on the same grounds, to imagine oneself temperate, chaste, or humble.
Tumnus’ bookshelf
A book by or about C.S. Lewis
Only in relatively recent years did I discover Letters to Malcolm was a fiction book. Lewis wrote so many letters with such wit and wisdom, I simply assumed this was another collection of actual letters written to a friend named Malcolm focused primarily on the topic of prayer.
But the posthumously published book was, like The Screwtape Letters, a fictional correspondence. I picked up my copy again last week and realized I had underlined passages on almost every page. It’s well worth your time.
Beyond the Lamp Post
Articles written by me published elsewhere
6 Discouraging Trends in Global Christianity in 2025 — Lifeway Research
Christianity No Longer Shrinking in the U.S. — Lifeway Research
Behind the Wardrobe
Sneak peek at the bonus articles for paid subscribers
There’s so much news this week: more Narnia casting rumors, why Gerwig needs to retain the Christian elements in Narnia, numerous reflections on Lewis’ thinking, casting news for The Rings of Power season three, one Lord of the Rings movie premiering on Max and another delayed from the theaters, and more from Harry Potter, X-Men, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, DC Studios, Star Wars, and The Office follow-up series adds a beloved cast member.
