Netflix’s Chronicles of Narnia Rumored Release Date Sets Up a Dune & Jumanji 3 Showdown

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As a film critic with over three decades of experience under my belt, I must say that the upcoming Christmas season of 2026 promises to be nothing short of spectacular. With the rumored release of Greta Gerwig’s adaptation of C.S. Lewis’s “The Chronicles of Narnia” for Netflix, Denis Villeneuve’s third “Dune” film, and the long-awaited return of “Jumanji,” it appears that the holiday season will be a battlefield for box office supremacy.

As a devoted cinephile, I’m thrilled to share a bit of exciting speculation: If the whispers are true, the illustrious filmmaker Greta Gerwig is set to bring C.S. Lewis’s beloved “The Chronicles of Narnia” series to life once more, this time for Netflix. Allegedly, we might catch it on the big screen in December 2026. However, let me emphasize that, as of now, neither Netflix nor Gerwig has made an official announcement regarding this potential release date. So, dear fellow movie lovers, let’s keep our fingers crossed and take this tantalizing tidbit with a touch of salt!

If true, though, it would mean the film, which Netflix is reportedly eyeing for an IMAX release, will be battling for box office supremacy against Denis Villeneuve’s third Dune film, based on the novel Dune: Messiah by Frank Herbert, which is also rumored to be out at the same time. On top of that, Sony revealed they planned to release Jumanji 3, starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Karen Gillan, and Jack Black, on December 11, 2026.

In addition to Dune and Jumanji, both are potential choices for IMAX screenings, implying that the holiday season of 2026 might be filled with cinematic extravaganzas. Another notable film, Ice Age 6, is set to release on December 18th of that year; however, it may not vie for IMAX screen space. The sixth edition in this popular series, now under Disney’s ownership following their purchase of 20th Century Fox, will bring back stars Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Queen Latifah, Denis Leary, and Simon Pegg.

Gerwig’s ‘Narnia’ Is a Big Mystery at the Moment

There’s not much information available about Greta Gerwig’s upcoming Netflix adaptation of ‘Narnia,’ which is expected to be the first of a pair. It remains unclear whether these two films will adapt the content of the first two books in the series or if they will present a divided version of ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,’ the initial novel, split into two parts.

It’s equally possible that the choice of actors might be speculative as well. Saoirse Ronan is said to be connected with this production due to her past collaborations with Gerwig on “Lady Bird” and “Little Women,” and also because she has voiced her desire to star in such films. When asked about these rumors, Ronan mentioned to Jimmy Fallon (as reported by Deadline):

I mean, there isn’t, like, no truth to it. [Gerwig] hasn’t asked me yet. She’s writing it…

In our type of connection, I usually approach her and casually mention, “By the way, I’ll be doing this, just to keep you informed.” She ponders over it for a while before replying with a simple “OK”. I believe she’s currently too engrossed in writing it to ask about Narnia at the moment.

Initially, when it was disclosed in 2023 that Gerwig would direct two movies, she expressed fear about handling the adaptation. During an interview with Total Film podcast, as reported by Entertainment Weekly, she stated:

Although I haven’t fully grasped it yet, it instills a profound sense of fear in me, which I believe is an excellent starting point… I find that fear often serves as a reliable indicator. Perhaps when I no longer feel afraid, it will signal caution, like ‘Perhaps this isn’t the best course of action.’ Indeed, I am petrified by it. It’s astonishing. And it’s thrilling.

Be on the lookout for more news about Gerwig’s Narnia when it becomes available.

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2024-12-27 06:01