C.S. Lewis’ Heirs Comment on Greta Gerwig’s Narnia Film for First Time, Already Planning for Sequels

The statement comes amid a rumor that the new adaptation is of “appalling” quality.

The families of David and Douglas Gresham, stepsons of C.S. Lewis, have voiced support for Greta Gerwig and her film Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew. In a statement distributed through Netflix, the author’s relatives described their conversations with the director and a visit to the film’s set in London. They also said they hope to keep working together:

“In our ongoing conversations with Greta Gerwig, we have seen firsthand her sincere passion for ‘Narnia.’ Her love for the work of C.S. Lewis, which she has carried with her throughout her life, is evident to everyone involved in the project. We saw that enthusiasm during our visit to the set in London. We are glad to work with such a talented and accomplished director and filmmaking team, and we would like to continue the collaboration on future projects. We hope the film will be a huge success and that everyone working on ‘The Chronicles of Narnia’ will be professionals of this caliber.”

David and Douglas Gresham

The statement follows fresh rumors of problems with the adaptation. This week, insider Jeff Sneider described creative disagreements between Gerwig and Netflix film division head Dan Lin. According to his sources, people inside the company call the film “terrible” and consider it a “real problem.”

Still, it is too early to treat the relatives’ words as a verdict on the film itself. NarniaWeb found that when the statement was published, they had not yet seen any footage or heard the film’s score. Their praise therefore centers on Gerwig’s approach and the team they have met in person.

The heirs of C.S. Lewis speak out for the first time on the new Narnia film from the director of Barbie and are already making plans for a sequel — Image source: Netflix

The Magician’s Nephew tells the story of how Narnia came to be. David McKenna and Beatrice Campbell play Digory and Polly, Meryl Streep voices Aslan, and Emma Mackey plays the future White Witch. The cast also includes Daniel Craig, Carey Mulligan, and Ciarán Hinds.

Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew will open in theaters internationally on February 12, 2027, and arrive on Netflix on April 2.

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