This is how Greta Gerwig’s Narnia: The Magician's Nephew fits in C.S. Lewis’ timeline

Greta Gerwig’s Narnia: The Magician's Nephew takes audiences back to the very beginning of C.S. Lewis’ beloved fantasy universe, exploring the origins of the enchanted land and the events that shaped its mythology. The high-fantasy film, based on Lewis' 1955 novel, is scheduled for a theatrical release in February 2027, followed by a Netflix release in April 2027.

The Magician’s Nephew is the sixth published (out of seven) but the first chronological novel in Lewis' beloved book series The Chronicles of Narnia. Gerwig's upcoming film and Lewis' novel act as a prequel to The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, introducing readers to the circumstances surrounding Narnia’s creation.

For fans familiar with the adventures of the Pevensie siblings, Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew offers an opportunity to explore the beginnings of Narnia and Lewis' magical world from an entirely different perspective. While the novel was published after several other entries in The Chronicles of Narnia, its events take place much earlier in the fictional chronology, making it one of the most important entries in the author's magical world.

Narnia: The Magician's Nephew - Decoding the recent poster

According to What's On Netflix, the platform has unveiled the first teaser for Narnia: The Magician's Nephew, which marks the return of Aslan, the central, divine lion at the heart of C. S. Lewis' book series. The poster features the shadow of the large, talking golden lion and the true King of Lewis' fantasy world, with his mane merging into the larger cosmos. The artwork is a subtle nod to Aslan's role in the existence of Narnia, which will be explored in Gerwig's Narnia: The Magician's Nephew.

At the centre of the poster are two figures riding a winged horse, through a display of cheerful colours, highlighting their passage into the Wood Between the Worlds, which kicks off the events in Lewis' books.

Narnia: The Magician's Nephew explores the origins of C.S. Lewis’ fantasy world

Unlike The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the first book written and published in the Narnia series, Narnia: The Magician's Nephew actually explores the origins of the titular fantasy world.

The prequel book follows young children Digory Kirke and his neighbor Polly Plummer (the figures at the centre of the poster) in London, who are manipulated into taking a magical trip by Digory's dabbling magician uncle Andrew. Digory's uncle tricks the children into testing his magical rings, which take them through the dying world of Charn, where they wake the witch Jadis, and Aslan sings Narnia into existence.

Understanding Narnia: The Magician's Nephew's position in Lewis' timeline is important. The novel not only explores the origin story of the fantastical world but also traces the roots of important characters like Aslan and Digory and addresses many mysteries left in the later books.

Narnia: The Magician's Nephew acts as a bridge

Greta Gerwig's first-ever screen adaptation of C.S. Lewis's 1955 origin novel will help bridge the gap. Seasoned Lewis readers know how Digory Kirke grows up to become the Professor in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the old man who shelters the Pevensie children in 1940. This detail instantly connects Gerwig's upcoming movie to the author's larger fantastical world, as it explores the origin story of a character directly involved in the existence of the magical cupboard.

Lastly, The Magician's Nephew opens doors to many possibilities and answers for loyal fans. Mysteries surrounding the lone lamppost in a snowy wood, the backstory of the Professor, the existence of Narnia, and the arrival of White Witch will likely be uncovered in the upcoming film, resulting in impressive world-building.

Netflix's Narnia: The Magician's Nephew stars David McKenna as Digory Kirke, Beatrice Campbell as Polly Plummer, Emma Mackey as Jadis, Carey Mulligan as Flora Kirke, Daniel Craig as Andrew Ketterley, Meryl Streep as Aslan and Kobna Holdbrook-Smith as Frank.