Greta Gerwig Explains Why Adapting Chronicles of Narnia is ‘Intimidating’

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Greta Gerwig Explains Why Adapting Chronicles of Narnia is ‘Intimidating’

After spending time in Barbieland, Greta Gerwig is headed to Narnia for her next project. Gerwig will write and direct at least two films based on C.S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia. In an interview with BBC Radio 4 Today, Gerwig professed her love for Narnia while simultaneously explaining her fear behind adapting the beloved novels.

“I’m slightly in the place of terror because I really do have such reverence for Narnia,” Gerwig said. “I loved Narnia so much as a child. As an adult, C.S. Lewis is a thinker and a writer. I’m intimidated by doing this. It’s something that feels like a worthy thing to be intimidated by. As a non-British person, I feel a particular sense of wanting to do it correctly… it’s like when Americans do Shakespeare, there’s a slight feeling of reverence and as if maybe we should treat it with extra care. It is not our countryman.”

What to Expect in Greta Gerwig’s Chronicles of Narnia?

In a July 2023 interview with The New Yorker, Gerwig revealed she had signed on to write and direct at least two Narnia films for Netflix. Speaking to the Inside Total Film podcast, Gerwig was still trying to “wrap her arms around” the project. However, Gerwig said that the fear works to her benefit.

“I’m properly scared of it, which feels like a good place to start,” Gerwig said. “I think when I’m scared, it’s always a good sign.”

It is unknown which novels Gerwig will adapt for Netflix. Three of Lewis’ books were previously adapted from 2005-2010 to form The Chronicles of Narnia, which combined to gross over $1.5 billion worldwide.

Gerwig is coming off the success of Barbie, the highest-grossing film of 2023. Gerwig’s previous directorial efforts – Lady Bird and Little Women – garnered critical acclaim and multiple Oscar nominations.