Greta Gerwig has been voicing concerns about her latest project with Netflix, upset that the streaming platform’sThe Chronicles of Narniareboot will not get a theatrical release. Rumors of her discontent have spread as thelack of theatrical release forChronicles of Narniahas become an issue for GerwigandNarniafans alike. After the massive success of her last three releases (Lady Bird,Little Women, andBarbie), Gerwig has the influence and right to express herself when it comes to the terms of her following projects, and her apprehensions make perfect sense.
Gerwig agreed to work on at least two of Netflix’sNarniamovies before her culture-shiftingBarbiehad even begun shooting. With her consistent success between 2017 and now, it is reasonable she would hope to give her upcoming projects the theatrical spotlight often associated with upstanding works and creators, and that hope extends toGreta Gerwig’sThe Chronicles of Narniareboot. Unfortunately for Gerwig, she agreed to partner with a platform that specializes in streaming and has historically shied away from theaters.
Greta Gerwig Is Right To Be Concerned About Netflix’s Release Plans For Its Narnia Reboot
Her Last Three Films Have Been Big Theatrical Successes
Greta Gerwig has numerous good reasons to be concerned that Netflix has no plans for theChronicles of Narniareboot to hit theaters.As an actor since 2006 who expanded her role to screenwriting and directing, Gerwig has been involved with the many different facets that go into filmmaking. That level of involvement extends to a concern for the audience’s experience while viewing a movie. Watching a film in the theater over the living room leads to a more memorable occasion. Gerwig has mentioned that her favorite childhood recollections involved the transportation encountered when viewing a film in the theater.
Why Greta Gerwig’s Chronicles Of Narnia Movies Are Exactly What The Fantasy Genre Needs After The Last 10 Years
Greta Gerwig’s Chronicles of Narnia films could be exactly what the fantasy genre needs, distinguishing them from other recent adaptations.
Gerwig no doubt wants her work to continue to have the cultural success her last three films had, with those films being nominated for a combined 19 Oscars. Since the Oscars require a film to have a theatrical run of seven consecutive days,herNarniaremake couldn’t even be considered for the industry’s most prestigious award.
Why A Theatrical Release Suits Greta Gerwig’s Narnia Remake Better Than Streaming
Gerwig Has The Name Recognition And The Reputation For A Theatrical Release
Amid all the logistics and financial concerns of an industry attempting to appease its shareholders, there are many good reasons whyGreta Gerwig’sNarniaremakeis more suited to a theatrical release.Prestige and Oscar recognition aside, fantasy films are meant to carry their viewers to whimsical new worlds, creating a fully immersive experience through the theater’s large screens and surround sound. The level of excitement generated by a theatrical release is also something that would lead to further promotion and success.
And, C.S. Lewis’sChronicles of Narniawarrants a significant release.
Gerwig, as an artist, undoubtedly hopes to have a captive audience for the works she spends countless hours creating.With its casual viewership checking their phones, chatting, and constantly pausing, streaming disrupts how someone should experience a film.Films that immediately go to streaming continually lose viewership, drastically depleting a work’s energy with each passing day. Gerwig’s collaboration with Lewis’sNarniawill have greater success if appropriately received as the large work it is.
One Netflix Franchise Reveals How Narnia Can Have The Best Of Both Worlds
Glass Onion Has Proven A Limited Theatrical Release Works
Even though Netflix’s model leans heavily toward its streaming service, and it is one of the few companies that profit off those services,it has and should entertain a limited theatrical release for Greta Gerwig’sNarniaremake.In 2022, Netflix had a limited theatrical release for its successfulGlass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, directed by Rian Johnson, starring Daniel Craig and Edward Norton.
Glass Onionhad a seven-day theatrical run in 600 theaters before streaming on Netflix the following month.The film brought in around 15 million dollars in theaters and could have made four times that if it had been screened in the 4,000 theaters often associated with a major release.Given its timeframe and lack of theatrical promotion, the film did very well.Glass Onionthen became one of the platform’s top 10 most-watched movies. With Gerwig andNarniaboth being well-known names, a brief theatrical release would lead to excitement and success for both Gerwig’s goals and Netflix’s streaming profits.
From the desire to forge memories, embrace success, build positive perception, transport viewers, and garner excitement and energy, Greta Gerwig has valid reasons for wanting to see herNetflixNarniarebootreleased in theaters. It would benefit both her and Netflix if they reached a mutually beneficial agreement, even if that were a short-term release in theaters, like Netflix did withGlass Onion. And even though Gerwig has already agreed to work with the streaming giant, her current success should convince them to consider releasingThe Chronicles of Narniareboot in theaters.
The Chronicles of Narnia
The Chronicles of Narniais a fantasy franchise based on the seven-book series written by C.S. Lewis between 1950 and 1956. The series is set in the magical world of Narnia, where children from our world are transported to fulfill prophecies, battle evil forces, and restore peace under the guidance of Aslan, a mystical lion. The franchise has seen multiple adaptations, including a BBC television series in the late 1980s, three major Hollywood films between 2005 and 2010, and an upcoming reboot by Netflix, which has generated significant anticipation. The franchise is beloved for its rich allegorical storytelling, blending Christian themes with epic fantasy elements.
