Greta Gerwig’s ‘Narnia’ Reportedly Faces Major Issues at Netflix with Test Screenings and Reshoots

Few fantasy franchises hold as much significance as C.S. Lewis’s ‘Narnia’. Netflix secured the rights to the beloved books in 2018 and has been working for years to bring a new adaptation to life. Central to this effort is Greta Gerwig’s ‘Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew’.

The stakes are incredibly high. This marks Gerwig’s first project since the success of ‘Barbie’, and Netflix is planning a full theatrical release in both IMAX and standard formats, a first for the streaming giant. The film’s budget is reported to be around $280 million, making it one of Netflix’s most expensive productions to date.

This backdrop is why recent reports are raising eyebrows. According to The InSneider, a newsletter by Hollywood insider Jeff Sneider, sources within Netflix are expressing serious concerns about the film’s quality, describing it as a significant issue. The production has reportedly undergone reshoots in response to these worries, although Netflix has not officially confirmed these claims.

One attendee of a summer test screening compared the film unfavorably to Disney’s 2018 adaptation of ‘A Wrinkle in Time’, which suffered substantial financial losses. Another viewer noted the stunned silence that followed the screening, a reaction that likely prompted Netflix to request additional filming.

The report also highlights potential discord behind the scenes. Gerwig is said to have enlisted external assistance in the editing process, with multiple editors now credited on ‘Narnia’, a departure from her previous collaborations with editor Nick Houy. Wyatt Smith and Andrew Weisblum have joined him in this project.

Tensions are reportedly brewing between Gerwig and Netflix film chief Dan Lin. This news coincided with recent layoffs at Netflix, including the departure of film executive Doug Belgrad.

Discussions about reshoots have been ongoing since early August, when Sneider reported that screenings of an incomplete two-hour version had disappointed Netflix executives. It was Netflix, not Gerwig, that initiated the request for further work.

The initial screening took place in Paramus, New Jersey, showcasing unfinished visual effects. Additional filming is expected to occur in London, with reports varying on whether this is standard additional photography or more extensive reshoots.

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

Originally, the film was set for an IMAX release around Thanksgiving, but Deadline reported a shift to February 12, 2027, due to a cast member’s injury that delayed production by six weeks. This change allows for a complete theatrical window, with IMAX previews on February 10 and a Netflix debut on April 2.

Sneider has suggested that the release date change was influenced by quality concerns, as Netflix wanted to avoid awards-season speculation that the film might not meet expectations. A February release could help sidestep that narrative. There are also speculations that Gerwig may not return for a sequel, despite her contract for at least two ‘Narnia’ films.

The timing of these developments is notable. Netflix unveiled the first trailer on October 13 during an IMAX event in New York, offering a glimpse of Meryl Streep voicing Aslan and a unique interpretation of Narnia’s creation, set to Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven”. The cast includes Daniel Craig, Emma Mackey, Carey Mulligan, and Ciarán Hinds.

Reactions to the trailer have been mixed. While Variety praised the visuals as dazzling and IndieWire lauded its energetic approach, others noted a significant number of dislikes online. Gerwig has expressed her vision for a rock opera style for ‘Narnia’, indicating a bold creative direction.

It’s important to maintain perspective. The claims are based on anonymous sources, and the test screening involved an incomplete version of the film. As noted by some outlets, the final quality of the movie cannot be accurately assessed from these early reports.

Nevertheless, with such a substantial investment at stake, every rumor will be closely examined. Netflix has placed a significant bet on both Gerwig and ‘Narnia’, and the coming months will reveal whether the reported issues can be resolved in post-production.

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