Should We Be Worried About Gerwig’s ‘Narnia’?
Door Jam: December 8, 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.
Speaking to investors, the IMAX CEO shared his thoughts about Greta Gerwig’s Narnia adaptation. While they may have excited IMAX investors, they have Narnia fans worried.
At IMAX’s investors day, CEO Richard Gelfond spoke about Gerwig’s upcoming Narnia movie, which will premiere in IMAX theaters next Thanksgiving before debuting on Netflix at Christmas.
NarniaWeb has all his comments about the movie, but what has caught most people’s attention was this quote:
This is not your mother’s or your grandmother‘s Narnia. The music in it is unbelievably contemporary music, which IMAX fans like. I’m not gonna say specifically, but things like Pink Floyd and The Doors.
There are so many things wrong with this statement. Why is 70-year-old Gelfond disparaging something that would appeal to mothers or grandmothers? He was born the same year The Magician’s Nephew was released—1955. They both turned 70 this year.
He’s easily old enough to be a grandfather, which may be why he called Pink Floyd and The Doors “unbelievably contemporary music.”
It’s such an odd mix to be derisive of something older—C.S. Lewis might call that “chronological snobbery”—while also speaking of rock bands who were at their cultural height 50 years ago as “contemporary.”
So, should Narnia fans be worried less than a year away from the movie’s theatrical debut? Let me give you both sides.
6 reasons to not worry
We’ve still heard and seen nothing official from Gerwig or Netflix.1 It’s hard to form a true picture of what this might be until we hear from those actually working on the film or, better yet, see a trailer or footage from the film.
These comments were from a businessman trying to hype up investors, not an artist trying to explain their cinematic vision. Gelfond is saying what he thinks will make IMAX investors excited about potential profits for the company. IMAX investors are likely people for whom Pink Floyd and The Doors feel contemporary and exciting.
Gelfond could’ve been on set and heard rock music, but that doesn’t mean it will be in the movie. Gerwig played pop music on set for dances in Little Women, but used classical music in the score. The Disney/Walden Prince Caspian movie did something similar.
The music is nowhere near being finished. There’s more below, but one of the film’s composers said they are in the “very, very early days” of work. Gelfond couldn’t know many specifics because there aren’t many specifics available yet.
Gerwig has had “fresh” takes on classic works or properties, but she hasn’t really been subversive. Little Women and Barbie were inventive, but didn’t radically reshape the source material.
Gelfond is not the most knowledgeable source for Narnia information. He once mentioned there being eight Narnia books, so he may not really understand the stories or even Gerwig’s take.
5 reasons to worry
The casting rumors of Meryl Streep as Aslan are still floating around. Nothing has been confirmed, but neither has it been debunked.
Gerwig has seemingly already made a significant change to the story. The Magician’s Nephew book is set in 1900, while the movie seems to take place in 1955.
No one involved in this movie is specifically concerned with C.S. Lewis’ vision for Narnia. Previously, Douglas Gresham was connected with the Walden movies. Whatever your thoughts on those, at least someone there wanted to preserve Lewis’ ideas.
Many people attached have said Gerwig’s take is “different.” Gelfond is not the first person to say something about the movie that raised eyebrows. Several have referred to Gerwig’s idea for the story as something beyond the original version.
Gelfond’s quote lines up with one of the earliest bits of information we heard about Gerwig’s Narnia adaptation. Around this time last year, producer Amy Pascal said Gerwig’s movie would be a “very new take. It’s all about rock and roll.”
I tend to be optimistic. I want to like things, particularly stories that have been such an integral part of my life. So I remain hopeful, but I’m certainly more worried than I have been.
Not Safe But Good
C.S. Lewis quote of the week
I do not think the forest would be so bright, nor the water so warm, nor love so sweet, if there were no danger in the lakes.
Tumnus’ bookshelf
Books by or about Lewis or Tolkien
The Tower and the Ruin is an interesting new book from a Tolkien scholar that explores how Tolkien crafted Middle-earth. In the Tolkien news section below, I’ve included a couple of discussions about this book.
If you’re looking for a nice Christmas gift for a Tolkien reader, you can pick up the hardcover box set of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings illustrated by Alan Lee for almost half off. Normally, it’s $150, but it’s currently $78.33.
Some volumes in Tolkien’s History of Middle-earth collection have also recently seen price drops, including:
The Return Of The Shadow: The History of the Lord of the Rings, Part One — ebook: $5.49 (56% off)
The Treason Of Isengard: The History of the Lord of the Rings, Part Two — ebook: $5.49 (60% off)
The War of the Jewels: The Later Silmarillion, Part Two — ebook: $1.99 (83% off)
The Problem of Printers
Bad but unfortunately real C.S. Lewis book covers
Someone entered the ChatGPT prompt “Give me a cover for a book called ‘Reflection on the Psalms’ and make it gaudy.”
Behind the Wardrobe
Sneak peek at the bonus articles
Below, paid subscribers will see articles on:
Narnia movie composer shares his background with the books and hopes for the soundtrack
Deluxe edition of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe unveiled
Why the “anti-C.S. Lewis” is more like Lewis than he realizes
The Lord of the Rings coming back to theaters in 2026
Tolkien’s writing desk up for auction
And more!
