Netflix releases first trailer for Greta Gerwig's Narnia prequel

Netflix announced the debut of the official trailer for Greta Gerwig’s adaptation of C.S. Lewis’s The Magician’s Nephew, the earliest chronologically of the Chronicles of Narnia series. The trailer, released on 13 October 2026, offers the first visual glimpse of Gerwig’s interpretation of the magical world that precedes The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by roughly a thousand years.

The promotional clip opens to the opening bars of Led Zeppelin’s "Stairway to Heaven," a musical choice that aligns with Gerwig’s stated desire for a rock‑opera feel to the film. In the opening scene, the magician Andrew Ketterley, portrayed by Daniel Craig, recites a line about stories being the beginning of all others before handing a magical ring to a group of children, a device that will transport them to other realms.

The trailer also introduces several key characters. Emma Mackey appears as Jadis, who will later become the White Witch, while Meryl Streep provides the voice for Aslan, the mythical lion. Additional cast members highlighted include Carey Mulligan, whose specific role was not detailed, and the protagonists Digory Kirke and Polly Plummer, played by David McKenna and Beatrice Campbell respectively.

Visually, the teaser showcases a variety of locations familiar to fans of the books, as well as the creation of the wardrobe that becomes central to later stories. The use of expansive, light‑filled and shadow‑laden settings underscores the film’s ambition to capture the breadth of Lewis’s imagined universe.

According to the reports, the film is scheduled for release in 2027 and will be available for streaming on Netflix, with a simultaneous IMAX presentation for theatrical audiences. This adaptation will mark the first live‑action cinematic version of The Magician’s Nephew, expanding the Narnia franchise beyond its previous animated and live‑action entries.

Gerwig’s involvement, following her work on Barbie and Little Women, has generated significant interest among fantasy enthusiasts. The trailer’s blend of classic rock music, high‑profile casting, and early‑story world‑building suggests a production that aims to appeal both to long‑time fans of the books and to a broader audience seeking a contemporary fantasy epic.

The release of the trailer confirms Netflix’s commitment to delivering a major fantasy property in the coming year, positioning the Narnia prequel as a flagship title for its 2027 slate.