Daniel Craig’s Uncle Andrew Revealed in Greta Gerwig’s ‘Narnia The Magician’s Nephew’

Daniel Craig has long demonstrated his ability to break free from typecasting, transitioning from the world’s most famous spy to a renowned detective. His latest transformation may be his most fantastical yet. In Greta Gerwig’s adaptation of ‘Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew’, he portrays a sorcerer who defies the expectations of a wise wizard.

The film brings to life C.S. Lewis’s 1955 novel, marking the first screen adaptation of this origin story for Narnia. Craig takes on the role of Uncle Andrew Ketterley, whose meddling with magical artifacts sets the entire narrative in motion. His experiments propel his nephew Digory (David McKenna) and neighbor Polly (Beatrice Campbell) into uncharted realms, impacting Aslan and the future of the White Witch, Jadis.

Recently, a new still has caught the public’s eye. Film Crave shared it on Thursday, showcasing Craig in a long dark coat and a satchel, gesturing with a bundle of papers while standing on a bomb-damaged brick street. A boy in shorts and suspenders and a girl in a floral dress gaze up at him, creating an intriguing scene. This image coincides with Empire’s November issue, which features a cover story from the set.

First look at Daniel Craig in Greta Gerwig’s ‘NARNIA: THE MAGICIAN’S NEPHEW’. 📷

In theaters on February 12. pic.twitter.com/uv5P8Z76Sp

— Film Crave (@_filmcrave) September 24, 2026

Empire’s initial look at Craig, released last week, depicted him in a study filled with glasses and beakers, with light reflecting off them. Craig described his character as someone who “gets overexcited about what could be, and therefore overlooks the people around him,” he told Empire. He expressed uncertainty about whether Andrew’s intentions are genuinely good, although he doesn’t consider him cruel or malicious.

Gerwig is more straightforward, labeling him as an inept magician who inadvertently creates real magic. The visual representation supports this notion, with ComicBook.com noting that he appears more like a mad scientist than a wizard. World of Reel remarked that the production design resembles something out of a Terry Gilliam film.

For Craig, this role holds personal significance. He has shared that he read ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’ in a single night as a child, marking the first book he ever completed from cover to cover.

The still also suggests a unique visual style for this film. Gerwig has relocated the story to the 1950s, rather than the original 1900 setting, aligning with the wartime brick and rubble depicted in the image. She has indicated that the film draws heavily from the music of the 1960s and 1970s, stating that rock ‘n’ roll feels like a world crafted from music.

The cast embraces this bold vision. Emma Mackey, reuniting with Gerwig after ‘Barbie’, portrays Jadis, while Carey Mulligan plays Digory’s seriously ill mother, Mabel. Meryl Streep lends her voice to Aslan, whose design is reportedly inspired by 1970s David Bowie. The film also features Ciarán Hinds, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Denise Gough, and Susan Wokoma, with music composed by Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt.

The release strategy for Netflix is unconventional. IMAX previews are set to begin on February 10, 2027, with the film debuting in theaters, including IMAX, on February 12, followed by a 45-day theatrical window before it streams on Netflix on April 2. This is reportedly the first Netflix film to receive a wide theatrical release, originally slated for November 2026.

This timeline positions Gerwig’s film as a potential cinematic milestone. Previous Narnia adaptations, such as the 2005 film ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’, were produced by 20th Century and Disney, making this version distinct with its own cast, design, and continuity. Netflix has yet to officially announce the second book Gerwig will adapt.

For Craig, this role marks another chapter in his post-Bond career, which includes Benoit Blanc, ‘Queer’, and a prison drama alongside Cillian Murphy. Uncle Andrew, dressed in a coat that blends professor and showman, may be his most peculiar role yet.

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