Rumor: Charli XCX Eyed For Greta Gerwig And Netflix's Adaptation Of C.S. Lewis' 'The Chronicles Of Narnia'

A new rumor alleges that Netflix and Greta Gerwig are eying musician Charli XCX for their upcoming adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia.

Deadline’s Andreas Wiseman reports “Charli XCX is being eyed to join Greta Gerwig and Netflix‘s anticipated Narnia film.”

As for who she might play Wiseman claims it will be The White Witch aka Imperial Majesty Jadis, Queen of Narnia, Chatelain of Cair Paravel, Empress of the Lone Islands etc.."

READ: To Save the West, Make Better Art

Netflix announced a deal with the C.S. Lewis Estate to produce a number of projects back in 2018. Netflix declared at the time, “Netflix will develop new series and film projects based on C.S. Lewis’ beloved The Chronicles of Narnia series. Under the terms of a multi-year deal between Netflix and The C.S. Lewis Company, Netflix will develop classic stories from across the Narnia universe into series and films for its members worldwide.”

The company added, “The deal marks the first time that rights to the entire seven books of the Narnia universe have been held by the same company.”

Netflix’s Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos said at the time, “C.S. Lewis’ beloved Chronicles of Narnia stories have resonated with generations of readers around the world. Families have fallen in love with characters like Aslan and the entire world of Narnia, and we’re thrilled to be their home for years to come.”

Douglas Gresham, Lewis’ stepson, also stated, “It is wonderful to know that folks from all over are looking forward to seeing more of Narnia, and that the advances in production and distribution technology have made it possible for us to make Narnian adventures come to life all over the world.”

“Netflix seems to be the very best medium with which to achieve this aim, and I am looking forward to working with them towards this goal,” he added.

During the lead-up to the release of Barbie, Gerwig revealed she was attached to direct a film adaptation. That news was heavily criticized given Gerwig’s endorsement and promotion of feminism with the Barbie movie, which stands in stark contrast to Christianity, of which, C.S. Lewis made it clear his books were intended to promote.

Lewis wrote in On Stories and Other Essays on Literature, “Why did one find it so hard to feel as one was told one ought to feel about God or about the sufferings of Christ? I thought the chief reason was that one was told one ought to. An obligation to feel can freeze feelings. And reverence itself did harm.”

“The whole subject was associated with lowered voices; almost as it if were something medical. But supposing that by casting all these things into an imaginary world, stripping them of their stained-glass and Sunday school associations, one could make them for the first time appear in their real potency? Could one not thus steal past those watchful dragons? I thought one could,” he concluded.

READ: More Propaganda: Ben Mezzenga Kneels To Homosexual Agenda On Netflix's 'Love Is Blind'

Netflix Chairman Scott Stuber attempted to blunt this criticism telling Variety in November 2023, “[Gerwig] grew up in a Christian background. The C.S. Lewis books are very much based in Christianity. And so we just started talking about it. And like I said earlier, we don’t have IP, so when we had the opportunity [to license] those books or the [Roald Dahl Co.] we’ve jumped at it, to have stories that people recognize and the ability to tell those stories.”

“So it was just a great opportunity and I’m so thrilled that she’s working on it with us and I’m just thrilled to be in business with her,” he said. “And she’s just an incredible talent.”

When asked for more details about Gerwig’s role in the films and whether she was writing them as well, Stuber said, “Obviously, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is kind of the preeminent one, but there’s such an interesting narrative form [to the Narnia series] if you read all of them. And so that’s what she’s working on now with [producer] Amy Pascal and Mark Gordon and they’re trying to figure out how they can break the whole arc of all of it.”

Stuber would go on to inform Collider at the beginning of November that they planned to take the first film into production next year, “Well, I think people know that we’re aspirationally trying to get Greta Gerwig’s [The Chronicles of] Narnia together and get that movie, which will be next year.”

As for Gerwig, she also commented about her involvement telling Games Radar, “I haven’t even really started wrapping my arms around it. But I’m properly scared of it, which feels like a good place to start.”

She added, “I think when I’m scared, it’s always a good sign. Maybe when I stop being scared, it’ll be like, ‘Okay. Maybe I shouldn’t do that one.’ No, I’m terrified of it. It’s extraordinary. And so we’ll see, I don’t know.”

“I hope to make all different kinds of movies in the course of the time I get to make movies, which – it’s a long time, but it’s also limited,” she continued. “I want to do big things and small things and everywhere in between, and having another big canvas is exciting and also daunting.”

Producer Amy Pascal also confirmed that Gerwig’s film “A very new take on Narnia. It’s all about Rock & Roll” in an interview with Pete Hammond at Deadline.

READ: Disney Admits 'Daredevil: Born Again' Performed Worse Than 'The Acolyte'

As for what the first film will be, actor Jason Isaacs informed The Week that it will be The Magician’s Nephew.

While listing out all of the books he planned to read at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford for Macmillan Cancer Support, Isaac included The Magician’s Nephew and stated, “I loved all the Narnia books as a kid. When Peter was told he wouldn't be coming back, I understood something devastating about mortality. I picked this one because Greta Gerwig is about to make a film of it, which I can't wait to see.”

A previous rumor from Kasey Moore at What’s On Netflix claimed it would be The Silver Chair. Moore wrote, “Our sources told us in early 2023 that Gerwig’s first adaptation would be of The Silver Chair.”

The Magician’s Nephew tells the story of the creation of Narnia. The official description on Amazon states, “On a daring quest to save a life, two friends are hurled into another world, where an evil sorceress seeks to enslave them. But then the lion Aslan's song weaves itself into the fabric of a new land, a land that will be known as Narnia. And in Narnia, all things are possible.”

The book was the penultimate book to be published. However, it is the first book in chronological order.

The Silver Chair was the fourth novel published in The Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis, but it is the penultimate novel chronologically. The novel follows the characters of Eustace Scrubb and Jill Pole as they are tasked by Aslan to find the missing son of King Caspian X, Prince Rilian.

The two go on a journey across Narnia and run afoul of the Lady of the Green Kirtle who has ambitions to conquer Narnia.

What do you make of Charli XCX potentially being cast in Netflix’s The Chronicles of Narnia adaptation?

NEXT: Disney Scales Back Hollywood Premiere For 'Snow White,' Bars Media Interviews