Let’s grab our winter clothes and head into the wardrobe because Netflix has recently announced that The Chronicles of Narnia is coming back! Through its partnership with the C.S. Lewis Company, Netflix has stated the multiyear deal will contribute to different film projects involving the universe.
Narnia’s past with adaptations
The beloved book series from C.S. Lewis is no stranger to television and film adaptations. Many are most familiar with the Disney produced films of “The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe” in 2005 and “Prince Caspian” in 2008, while Fox produced “The Voyage of the Dawn Treader” in 2010. However, BBC adapted 4 of the 7 books into their own televised series, which ran from 1988 until 1990. Last but certainly not least, in 1979, an animated version of “The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe” was broadcasted on CBS and released on video.
While these different productions vary on their takes of the classic stories, one thing they all have in common is the fact that not all 7 of the books made the final cut for viewership. We have yet to see The Magicians Nephew, The Horse and His Boy, and the epic conclusion of The Last Battle brought onto the screens, big or small. As a result, unless you’ve read the books, we have yet to see whatever became of the four Pevensie children.
Netflix’s adaptation
While details are currently scarce on how Netflix plans to approach the project, the streaming service potentially could take the time to finally explore all 7 novels through an episodic format for its clients, and provide the whole timeline from beginning to end. One of the examples of this case is its hit show, “The Series of Unfortunate Events.” While the film failed to shatter box office records, the TV show has already successfully adapted 9 of the books by Lemony Snicket into 2 seasons, with the final 4 in its upcoming 3rd season.
While many fans excitedly and anxiously await for further details, rest assured that the family members of Lewis have provided their blessing to Netflix. The writer’s stepson, Douglas Gresham, has stated, “It is wonderful to know that folks from all over are looking forward to seeing more of Narnia and that the advances in production and distribution technology have made it possible for us to make Narnian adventures come to life all over the world. Netflix seems to be the very best medium with which to achieve this aim, and I am looking forward to working with them toward this goal.”
The seven Chronicles of Narnia books were published from 1950-1956 in London originally. They have been published in 47 languages and over 100 million copies have been sold. HarperCollins currently owns publishing rights worldwide.
