Netflix Bosses Reportedly 'Freaking Out' Over Greta Gerwig's $280 Million Narnia Adaptation
Sources claim test screenings for 'Narnia: The Magician's Nephew' have been 'awful,' leading to reshoots and internal concern.
Concerns are reportedly mounting at Netflix over director Greta Gerwig's upcoming $280 million adaptation of "The Magician's Nephew," the first installment in C.S. Lewis's Narnia series. Sources have described test screenings over the summer as "awful," leading to a tense atmosphere and unscheduled reshoots.
"It's 100 percent true, and everyone at Netflix thinks the movie is awful. It's a genuine problem," one insider told entertainment journalist Jeff Sneider of The InSneider. A second source described the post-screening mood as "bleak."
The film, scheduled for release in February before streaming on Netflix in April, has drawn particular attention for its casting of Meryl Streep as the voice of Aslan, the iconic lion character. Aslan is a male figure in Lewis's original books and is often interpreted as a Christ-like figure. While the casting does not definitively indicate a gender change for the character, it has reportedly angered some conservative critics.
Gerwig, who previously directed the critically and commercially successful "Barbie," has reportedly expressed frustration with input from Netflix executives. According to Sneider's report, Gerwig complained to her agent about "meddling" from Netflix film head Dan Lin, who has overseen the streamer's film slate since 2024, after receiving numerous notes on early cuts.
This situation has drawn parallels to "Barbie's" post-production, which also involved executive concerns and the eventual addition of editors to refine the film. Notably, "Narnia: The Magician's Nephew" has three credited editors – Nick Houy, Wyatt Smith, and Andrew Weisblum – a deviation from Gerwig's usual practice of working with a single editor.
Adding to the film's notable aspects is its soundtrack, which features Led Zeppelin. The use of the band's music is significant, as members Jimmy Page and Robert Plant have historically been very selective about licensing their work. Gerwig has previously cited the band's music as influential.
Netflix has recently faced financial headwinds, with its share price falling more than 40 percent since December and the company announcing approximately 1,000 layoffs. In late September, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos acknowledged slower-than-desired growth, stating, "Overall, we’re not growing as fast as I want us to, and we’re working on making that move faster."
During an interview with Empire magazine, Gerwig discussed her vision for Aslan, explaining her choice to cast Streep. She sought an actor with "gravitas but not morose self-seriousness" and the ability to convey both depth and joy, citing David Bowie as an inspiration for her approach to the character's portrayal.