Greta Gerwig Convinced Led Zeppelin to Let ‘Stairway to Heaven’ Soundtrack ‘Narnia The Magician’s Nephew’ Trailer
Few songs protect their legacy like Led Zeppelin’s ‘Stairway to Heaven,’ the iconic 1971 rock anthem from the band’s untitled fourth album. For years, it has been the kind of track filmmakers dream of using but seldom get the chance.
The band reportedly declined requests to feature it in ‘Wayne’s World’ and ‘Almost Famous’. That history is why the first trailer for ‘Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew’ made such a significant impact this week.
According to Variety, Greta Gerwig bypassed the usual channels to secure the song. She personally approached Jimmy Page and Robert Plant to request permission, and the band agreed after she shared a cut of the film months ahead of its February release.
Gerwig elaborated on her choice during the trailer presentation in New York, where she appeared alongside Stephen Colbert. She described the song as an epic, spiritual journey that explores false idols and the misguided paths one can take. In her opinion, this made it a fitting introduction to Narnia.
The theme aligns perfectly with the books. Faith, temptation, and the risks of following the wrong voice are prevalent in C.S. Lewis’s Narnia stories. Gerwig, who attended Catholic school as a child, has expressed how much the spiritual aspect of the series resonates with her.
Page expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration. He praised Gerwig as a cinematic powerhouse, referencing her works like ‘Little Women,’ ‘Lady Bird,’ and ‘Barbie,’ and said he was thrilled she chose the song for her trailer.
Reports indicate that Page and Plant had never permitted the song to be used in this manner before. After viewing the footage, they were profoundly moved. Gerwig remarked that she was touched by the band’s recognition of the film’s heartfelt narrative.
A Universe Begins. See how Narnia was created in Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew, a film by Greta Gerwig – only in theaters February 12. https://t.co/jwxksCL0N7
— Netflix (@netflix) October 13, 2026
This needle drop isn’t just a one-time event. Gerwig has mentioned her desire to create a rock opera, citing inspirations like David Bowie, Paul McCartney, David Gilmour, Pete Townshend, and Led Zeppelin’s Page and Plant. For her, Narnia is a world crafted from music, which is fitting for a story where a lion sings a universe into existence.
She also reunited with her ‘Barbie’ collaborators Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt, who are composing the film’s original score. In the trailer, Digory and Polly enter a vibrant, magical realm as the song plays, with the visuals featuring swirling cosmic imagery and bursts of light.
The film was initially scheduled to premiere on Nov. 26, 2026, with a two-week IMAX run. It has since been pushed to 2027, with IMAX previews starting on Feb. 10 and a wide global release on Feb. 12, followed by its arrival on Netflix on April 2. This new timeline provides the film with a full theatrical window, which is uncommon for the streamer.
The cast includes Daniel Craig, Carey Mulligan, and Denise Gough, with Meryl Streep voicing Aslan. This casting choice has sparked debate among fans, and it remains unexplained for now. Gerwig did not address the reasoning behind it during the presentation, and the trailer offers only a roar instead of a glimpse of Streep’s performance.
For many viewers, however, the Led Zeppelin moment may be the most significant talking point thus far. It indicates that Gerwig is aiming for something bold, personal, and unmistakably her own.
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