The Chronicles of Narnia

Development

C. S. Lewis did not sell film rights to the Narnia series during his lifetime, doubting that a cinematic adaptation could realistically portray its fantastical elements. After viewing a demo reel of CGI animals, his stepson and literary executor Douglas Gresham approved a film adaptation. The original plan was to produce the films in the order the books were published, but The Magician's Nephew was reported as the intended fourth feature instead of The Silver Chair, possibly to reboot the series after declining grosses.

Walden Media confirmed in March 2011 that The Magician's Nephew was next, though not yet in development. In October 2011, Gresham noted that Walden Media's contract with the C. S. Lewis estate had expired, citing conflicts over the series' direction. On 1 October 2013, the C. S. Lewis Company announced a partnership with The Mark Gordon Company, putting The Silver Chair into pre-production.

Films

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, directed by Andrew Adamson and shot mainly in New Zealand with additional locations in Poland, the Czech Republic, and the United Kingdom, follows four Pevensie siblings evacuated during the Blitz who find a wardrobe leading to Narnia. There they ally with Aslan against the White Witch, who has cast Narnia into eternal winter. Released theatrically on 9 December 2005 and on DVD on 4 April 2006, it grossed over $745 million worldwide.

Prince Caspian, also directed by Adamson and the last film distributed by Walt Disney Pictures, sees the Pevensie children return to Narnia 1,300 years later to aid Prince Caspian against his uncle King Miraz. Released on 16 May 2008, it grossed $419 million worldwide. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, directed by Michael Apted and filmed entirely in Australia, was the first film not co-produced by Disney, which dropped out over a budget dispute; Fox 2000 Pictures replaced Disney, though Disney later regained rights through its acquisition of 21st Century Fox. Released on 10 December 2010 in RealD 3D in select theatres, it grossed over $415 million worldwide.

Main cast

The Pevensie children were played by four actors: William Moseley as Peter, the eldest and High King Peter the Magnificent; Anna Popplewell as Susan, the elder sister and Queen Susan the Gentle; Skandar Keynes as Edmund, the younger brother and King Edmund the Just; and Georgie Henley as Lucy, the youngest and Queen Lucy the Valiant. All four ruled Narnia during its Golden Age. Will Poulter took the role of their arrogant cousin, Eustace Scrubb. Liam Neeson provided the voice of Aslan, the majestic lion who created and governs the mystical world of Narnia.

Tilda Swinton played Jadis, the White Witch, who was the former queen of Charn and ruled Narnia during the events of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Ben Barnes portrayed Caspian X, the Telmarine prince who becomes king after overthrowing his evil uncle Miraz. The noble and courageous mouse Reepicheep was voiced by Eddie Izzard in Prince Caspian and by Simon Pegg in The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. James McAvoy appeared as Mr. Tumnus.

Ray Winstone and Dawn French voiced Mr. and Mrs. Beaver, respectively. Peter Dinklage played Trumpkin in Prince Caspian.

Future

After Walden Media's contract for the film rights expired in 2011, the C. S. Lewis Company announced on 1 October 2013 an agreement with The Mark Gordon Company to adapt The Silver Chair. Mark Gordon, Douglas Gresham, and Vincent Sieber were to produce, and David Magee was hired to write the screenplay in December 2013. In July 2014, the official Narnia website invited fans to suggest names for the Lady of the Green Kirtle, with the winning name selected by Gordon and Magee.

The film was described as a reboot with a new cast and crew. On 9 August 2016, Sony's TriStar Pictures and Entertainment One were set to finance and distribute the fourth film, and in April 2017 Joe Johnston was hired to direct. On 3 October 2018, Netflix and the C. S. Lewis Company announced a multi-year agreement to develop new film and TV adaptations, superseding all prior plans for The Silver Chair. A fourth film directed by Greta Gerwig, based on The Magician's Nephew, is scheduled for wide theatrical release on 12 February 2027 and streaming on Netflix on 2 April 2027.