Led Zeppelin's 'Stairway to Heaven' to Feature in Greta Gerwig's 'Narnia' Film

For the first time in 55 years, Led Zeppelin has granted permission for its iconic song "Stairway to Heaven" to be used in a film. The track will feature in Netflix's upcoming adaptation of C.S. Lewis's "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Magician's Nephew," directed by Greta Gerwig.

Band members Jimmy Page and Robert Plant reportedly agreed to the use of the song after Gerwig showed them an early cut of the film. According to Gerwig, the musicians were moved by what they saw and also cited their "love" for author C.S. Lewis as a reason for their decision. The film is slated for release in February 2027.

While some Led Zeppelin songs have been featured in movies, "Stairway to Heaven" has long been a notable exception. A scene in the 1992 film "Wayne's World" famously referenced this, with the titular character attempting to play the song in a music shop, only to be met with a sign that reads, "No Stairway to Heaven."

Gerwig, who previously directed "Barbie," has written and directed "The Magician's Nephew," which serves as an origin story within the Narnia series. The film's promotional campaign began with a trailer screening for select press and influencers in New York. The release of the trailer on YouTube elicited a polarized response from fans.

Critics of the trailer cited concerns over the visual effects, with some describing the CGI as "awful" and "slop." Many fans expressed disappointment with what they perceived as a departure from the source material's tone and essence, with some likening the visuals to those of Marvel films and lamenting a potential loss of the story's soul due to excessive CGI. Other comments pointed to perceived character deviations and a directorial choice to have a female voice Aslan.

However, some viewers expressed intrigue and urged others to reserve judgment until the film's release. The film adaptation is set to premiere in cinemas in February 2027.