In a rare move from Netflix, Greta Gerwig’s adaptation of The Chronicles of Narnia might receive an IMAX theatrical release.
Per The Hollywood Reporter, Netflix and IMAX are in early talks to put Gerwig’s Narnia movie in theaters. The rumored plan is to release Narnia in IMAX over the Thanksgiving holiday in 2026 before it streams on Netflix over Christmas. Since Thanksgiving is huge for business, a limited-release window for IMAX screens could be a point of contention for theater owners.
The news of an IMAX release for Gerwig’s Narnia first came from Puck’s Matt Belloni, who tweeted, “Interesting: Greta Gerwig is talking to IMAX about putting her NARNIA movie on 2000 screens, potentially before it hits Netflix. Huge if this happens.”
Gerwig has reportedly been pushing for a theatrical release and ultimately spoke directly to Imax CEO Rich Gelfond. During IMAX’s earnings call on Wednesday, Gelfond neither confirmed nor denied the reports of his conversations with Gerwig and Netflix.
Typically, Netflix releases prestige movies and selects original films in a few theaters to make them eligible for awards. Gerwig’s proposal is similar to 2022’s Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, which received a one-week limited theatrical release over the Thanksgiving holiday. Glass Onion grossed $15 million before hitting Netflix in late December.
What is Greta Gerwig’s Narnia movie about?
In 2018, Netflix acquired the rights to C.S. Lewis’ Narnia books, with plans to develop films and TV shows. In July 2023, Gerwig confirmed her involvement in The Chronicles of Narnia. The four-time Oscar nominee is reportedly writing and directing two Narnia movies at Netflix.
The Chronicles of Narnia marks Gerwig’s first directorial project since Barbie. The Margot Robbie-led movie became the highest-grossing film of 2023 and received eight Oscar nominations.
No casting news has been made official. However, Louis Partridge is believed to have a role in the film.
The Chronicles of Narnia was previously adapted into three feature films in 2005, 2008, and 2010.
(Source: The Hollywood Reporter)